Nerd Nite SF #162: “Curing” Hysteria, The Sharks of San Francisco Bay, and Who Speaks for Earth?

Is it really that time again? Another Nerd Nite so soon? Yes, dear nerds, I’m pleased to say it’s true: Nerd Nite SF returns to Rickshaw Stop on July 15th at 7pm! Have you ever wondered who on Earth is (officially) trying to talk to aliens? Have you ever wondered what “hysteria” actually was as a “medical condition” or how it was “cured?” Did you know that there’s some really heckin’ old sharks living in the Bay and if you want you can join a research team to study them? (it’s true! you literally just sign up!) We’ve all got a lot of questions these days; the world is a confusing place. Luckily, we’ve got some answers. Come on down!

Messaging ET: Who Speaks for Earth?

By: Julia DeMarines, Astrobiologist

Did you know that humans have sent over a dozen high powered messages to space to intentionally get a response from potential ET onlookers? While most people aren’t aware of these activities, these messages speak on behalf of humanity and all beings on our planet who have no say in the matter! This raises ethical questions: Should we be messaging at all? What should these messages say? And most importantly, who speaks for Earth? In this talk I will discuss the Dear ET project - an international effort that bridges active philosophy and STEAM education to raise awareness of these messaging efforts, support legitimate global representation, and hopefully enact messaging policy in the future. 

“Curing” Hysteria: Strange Remedies and Women’s Resistance in the 19th-Century U.S.

By: Vivian Wolf, Dominican University

In the nineteenth-century United States, women diagnosed with hysteria and other nervous disorders were prescribed treatments including prolonged bed rest, all-milk diets, hydrotherapy, and electrical stimulation. This talk examines the cultural and economic forces behind these so-called cures while exploring how writers challenged prevailing ideas about health.

Sharks of San Francisco Bay: What We Know, What We are Learning, and How You can Take Part

By: Meghan Holst, UC Davis

San Francisco Bay is home to a diverse and historically significant population of sharks, but much remains unknown about their long-term conservation needs. In this talk, Dr. Meghan Holst of Ocean Science Expedition Academy (OSEA) will share what we currently know about Bay sharks, the critical research questions OSEA is working to answer, and how the organization is creating equitable, hands-on opportunities for community members to take part in real marine science. Whether you’re a curious local or an aspiring researcher, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for the sharks in your backyard and how you can help protect them.