Nerd Nite SF #5: Penguins, Fishy Politics, and the Art of the Pickup September 23, 2010

From the cute to the slippery to the predatory, this month's Nerd Nite is pretty wild!

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Sponsored by the Emmy Award-winning show, "The Big Bang Theory," which is moving to Thursday nights, 8 pm on CBS. New night, new time, same theory!
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Penguins: The True Chicken of the Sea

Despite being almost universally loved, penguins are easy to parody. They walk funny and we laugh at them when they trip. They wear tuxedos. They're birds, but different. Brooke will take us beyond the caricatures and explain the basic peculiarities of these fascinating creatures.

Brooke Weinstein is an aquatic biologist at the California Academy of Sciences. She also spends a good bit of time caring for the Academy's African penguin colony and trying, sometimes successfully, to be the biggest penguin.

One Fish, Two Fish, Eat Fish, Sue Fish

In the beginning, there was an ocean full of fish. Tasty, tasty fish. Where have they gone? Watch as a Pacific red snapper is transformed into mathematical equations, travels to Capitol Hill, and ultimately ends up in your fish taco. Our guide takes science across enemy lines and onto the political battlefield.

Kate Wing started her career as a phycologist (that's algae) before moving up the food chain to work in the U.S. Senate. She's now an advisor to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

An Introduction to Pickup Artistry

Pimpin' ain't easy, especially for nerds, which is why an Internet subculture arose to develop methodologies for seducing the fairer sex. A former social coach will reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly of picking up women, from the first hello to getting her number. So, do you come here often?

"GK" was an instructor for Charisma Arts, teaching shy guys like him how to meet attractive girls and improve their social lives. He's mostly retired, but still blogs at www.gkdating.com.

Plus DJ Alpha Bravo, VP of left-field pop label Radio Khartoum, spins an eclectic array of nerdy tunes.

Official Website: http://sf.nerdnite.com