Nerd Nite February 7, 2008

Dearest Nerds and Friends of Nerds,
Umm…I think Nerd Nite has just outdone itself. Good news #1 is that not
since the very first Nerd Nite NYC in March 2006 have we had THREE
presentations. Well guess what…we’re serving up three pipin’ hot nerd
presentations next week. Good news #2 is even better. The presentations
are about Real Actual Zombies, Math & Music, and Different Sizes of
Infinity. Yep, I know, right? So next Thursday February 7th there’s no
reason why you shouldn’t be at Angels & Kings.

As they say in Boston, "Nerd Nite is like the Discovery Channel with beer."

Nerd Nite NYC
Angels & Kings
500 East 11th St. (between Aves. A and B)
Thursday February 7, 2008 at 7:00pm
Free Admission though there’s a 2-drink minimum
http://www.nerdnite.com (not updated because Chris just moved to Illinois)
http://www.inklingmagazine.com/articles/nerds-just-wanna-have-fun/
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1146949520070612

Back To The Lecture(s) At-Hand:

Presentation #1:
Zombies Are Real: Actual Zombies of the Natural World And Why You Might
Be One
By Jeremy Kay

Description: You might think of zombies as trite B-movie material, but
scientists are discovering more and more real zombies in nature. These
natural zombies have had their brains taken over by parasites, who use
their zombified hosts to further their own ends – like reproducing or
finding their way into the brain of a new host. Tonight I'll give some
examples of the crazy and self-destructive things that animals do when
they've been turned into zombies. I'll explore the neurobiology of how a
parasite can control the behavior of its host. And I'll reassure
everyone that we humans don't have anything to fear from zombies... or
do we?

Bio: Jeremy is a postdoctoral fellow in neurobiology at Harvard. His
professional work concerns vision, but he thinks parasite mind-control
is far more interesting. His interest in zombies is purely academic.
Really. Like, your brain will totally not get eaten if you show up. We
promise.

Presentation #2:
Pythagoras and Beethoven Sitting in a tree! The Magical Mathematics of
Music.
by Jaime Peters

Description: Galileo said the entire universe is "written in the
language of mathematics." Well, part of that entire universe is music.
You may say, but music and math have no real connection. But I say au
contraire. Come hear about how the entirety of a song (whether it sounds
good or sounds bad) can be broken down to a single ratio that governs
harmonious sound.

Bio: By day, Jaime Peters spends her time toiling to get more women
involved in the political process and creating a truly representative
democracy. By night, she plays the saxophone with a local Brooklyn jazz
ensemble and walks her dog Scarlett through the maze of Park Slope.

Presentation #3:
Different Sizes of Infinity
by Chris DiScenza

Description: Infinity has many strange properties, with the main result
being _______. Well, if we told you now we’d ruin it, but you’ll be
shocked. This presentation will also show that there is a true statement
about infinity that can not be proved or disproved. Surprisingly, there
is not any technical math required to show all of this.

Bio: Chris works at The Physics Factory which is comprised of a team of
scientists and educators who share a common goal: to share their
enthusiasm for physics with students, teachers and the community.
Through a combination of hands-on learning and eye-popping stage shows,
The Physics Factory aims to show that physics is an exciting process of
discovery and invention, and a rewarding career. Chris has infinite
enthusiasm for physics. Get it?

Official Website: http://www.angelsandkings.com