> Nerd Nite No. 14, May 9th, 2012

Nerd Nite No. 14, May 9th, 2012

Dearest Nerds,

Fast on the heels of the nerdtasticness that was the Apcocalypse 2012 Nerd Nite, we bring you the next edition, sure to delight:

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

doors at 7:00, show at 7:30

Frankford Hall at Frankford & Girard

$5 cover

 

The lectures at hand:
“Social Networking at the Synapse: how complex protein interactions provide insight into psychiatric disease” by Matthew MacDonaldThe brain’s capacity for storing memories and learning new skills depends heavily on its ability to forge and maintain synaptic connections between neurons. This “neuroplasticity” emerges from the complex interactions between hundreds of proteins within these neurons. Every biology teacher he’s ever had has warned against anthropomorphizing these proteins. Disregarding that advice, Matt chooses to view the synapse as a really small party filled with social protein all striving to get along have a good time.  When the party is good the brain functions well. But, when the beer runs out and there are too many dudes, shit gets ugly.

Bio: Matthew MacDonald is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, Department Of Psychiatry.  His doctoral work focused on developing new approaches to investigate protein complexity at the synapse. He currently spends his days trying to understand the biological basis of schizophrenia and human consciousness.  In retrospect this may have been a poor career choice. As it turns out the human brain is really complicated; he wishes someone had warned him.

“Every Joyful Conspiracy” by Elizabeth-Jane Cole

How do we create irresistibility for ideas whose time has come? The point at which we begin to see the unknown and believe in an infinity of possibilities is the point of genesis of all possible worlds. We can achieve boundless things if we see challenges as opportunites to imagine the world we want, instead of hurling metaphorical rocks at the things we don’t like.  This talk contains previews of the upcoming book Quantum Monkeywrenching, will include examples of how to create transformational experiences with a little creativity and intentionality, and not a few high spirited shenanigans.

Bio: Elizabeth-Jane Cole is an author, Enabler of Joyful Conspiracies, and radio producer. She is also the cofounder of the Evil Twin Booking Agency (with Artist Scott Beibin), organizing tours for people who think and act. In a past life, she contributed to WIRED magazine, produced a long-form interview with a balloon porn fetish model for Third Coast Award-winning podcast series Love + Radio, and wrote instructionals on DIY film distribution techniques.

“The Sounds of the Systems: exploring 8-bit/16-bit video game music” by Steve Lakawicz

Join Steve Lakawicz as he explores how video game programmers overcame the limitations of 8bit sound to create aural masterpieces.  Steve’s presentation will highlight the hardware inside the systems and use specific examples to illustrate the types of obstacles that early game music composers would have confronted.  His presentation will feature music from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, and Sega Genesis.

Bio: Steve Lakawicz holds a BM in Tuba Performance from Rutgers University as well as an MM in Tuba Performance from Temple University. His love of video game music has lead him to form a blog, Classical Gaming (classicalgaming.wordpress.com), to promote discussion both casual and academic about the music of video games. He is also the co-founder of the video game/nerd music chamber ensemble, Beta Test Music (betatestmusic.com). He currently resides in Philadelphia where he teaches statistics at Temple University.

Plus: juggling by David Darwin and tunes by Matt Young,

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