Summer Salon Series at MBLWHOI Library Celebrates Science, Literature, and Culture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 13, 2012
Contact: Andrea Early, Marine Biological Laboratory, Phone: (508) 289-7652, E-Mail: aearly@mbl.edu

MBL, Woods Hole, MA – The MBLWHOI Library announces the return of its popular Summer Salon Series with three events covering topics including what 20th century intellects might have tweeted, the evolution of the brain, and science-inspired poetry. The series begins July 18 and will take place in the Library’s Bay Reading Room, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole. It is free and open to the public.

Here is the schedule:

Wednesday, July 18th, 3:30 PM — Gerald Weissmann: Epigenetics in the Age of Twitter
Acclaimed essayist Gerald Weissmann reads from his new volume of essays, Epigenetics in the Age of Twitter: Pop Culture and Modern Science (Bellevue Literary Press, 2012). "Erudite energy leaps from this lively commingling of art, culture and science" headlined the review in Nature. Dr. Weissmann is Emeritus Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology), Research Professor of Medicine, and Director of the Biotechnology Study Center at the New York University School of Medicine. He is also Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal.

Wednesday, July 25th, 3:30 PM— Jean-Pierre Changeux: The Good, the True, and the Beautiful: A Neuronal Approach
Neuroscientist Dr. Jean-Pierre Changeux reads from his book The Good, the True and the Beautiful (Yale University Press, May 2012). The book draws on Plato's notion that the Good, the True, and the Beautiful are celestial essences or ideas, independent but so intertwined as to be inseparable. Placing these essences within the characteristic features of the human brain's neuronal organization, the author addresses unsolved questions in neuroscience today. With imagination and deep insight, Dr. Changeux illuminates the evolution of the brain and deciphers what new developments in neuroscience may portend for the future of humanity.

Wednesday, August 1st, 3:00 PM—The Poetry of Science: Group Poetry Reading
The MBL invites anyone interested in poetry to come and experience science-related poetry. Whether you want to read your own original works, read others works, or simply want to come and listen to poetry, you are welcome to join us for this unique opportunity. If you are interested in reading a poem at this event, please contact the MBLWHOI Library staff at library@mbl.edu. The event will also include an open mic for readings of original, science-inspired Haiku, aka “Sci-ku.”

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The MBLWHOI Library is dedicated to meeting information needs of the Woods Hole scientific community and beyond.
 
The MBL is a leading international, independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to discovery and to improving the human condition through creative research and education in the biological, biomedical and environmental sciences. Founded in 1888 as the Marine Biological Laboratory, the MBL is the oldest private marine laboratory in the Americas.