May 2011 Forums

Every Sunday in May at 8pm we will have the following forums:

May 1

Speech title:

Chinese Martial Arts in Taiwan

Speaker: Tom O’meara

Abstract:

The school has been in an existence in cork over 30 years, from its development of fu jow pai to Chinese boxing to name but a few, it uses the five animal system. Its main characteristics are the tiger and dragon fist (it's essence) with emphasis on low rooted stance's powerful hand techniques and elusive evasive hand movements. Chinese gong fu can be demanding art which requires the whole self-fitness, flexibility, strength to perform and execute a form or technique successfully is needed. The techniques are dangerous and effective, a humble attitude is needed. Misuse of the techniques can be fatal. Discipline plays a huge role in our school.

May 8

Speech title:

David Harvey: Neo-Marxism, Geography and the City

Speaker: Michal Grzegorzewski
Abstract:

    Since 1970`, Marx-influenced critics of capitalistic system have been trying to develop a missing component of Marxism – analysis of spatial dimension of capital, production and social relations. How does the system of modern capitalistic accumulation shape the space? What are the relation between geographical expansion of capital and geographical development?

     One of them - David Harvey, offered deep analysis of neglected yet fundamental problems of spatiality of capital by linking them to the context of changing notion of space and time and the city. Harvey proposes to upgrade historical materialism to historical-geographical materialism, in order to reduce contemporary social problems, threats and, first of all, to understand how space is produced by capitalism. His investigation is supported by his solid theoretical and practical background of geographical training, as well as, over 30 years of reading Das Kapital along with political activism within worker organizations.

     Harvey proclaims, that everyone has the right to the city and is obliged to participate in decisive processes creation of cites. When citizens stay passive, capitalists take over to ensure spatially their dominance and constant profits, he suggests.  Harvey belongs to these thinkers who formulate the big message:

    Wake up! Space is neither innocent nor natural. It is deeply entangled into ideological play and always has been this way. Taking over space means subjugating human lives. This is more invisible then others, menace of capitalistic exploitation. 

May 15

Speech title:

The Science Behind the Power of Words and Its Application for Meditation

Speaker: Tom Levene
Abstract:

       Does the Word have power??? Can words and phrases Change physical reality if repeated?? This looks into the philosophical rationale, and scientific studies relating to how repeating  word phrases or “Mantras” like “Om Mane Pene Hum“ can be effective. I also will draw on my Master’s thesis from Applied Linguistics, relating to studies by non meditators on this subject. I will then try and build some kind of common ground between modern science, physics and ancient philosophy on this subject. Ultimately this speech points out how potentially important our own thoughts and spoken words are, or could be, in shaping and molding our culture, outlook and perhaps even physical reality.

May 22

Speech title:

Chinese Superstition as a Process of Thought

Speaker: Andrew Kushner
Abstract:

Should you be superstitious? 

Is superstition a legitimate form of thinking?  Are pre-scientific modes of thought relevant in a scientific age?  What lies in the grey area between science and magic?  Is there something which modern-day rational science might be systemically overlooking?  What are superstitious and magical thinking, and how can they be distinguished from the contemporary scientific worldview? 

We will analyze the Chinese traditional cosmology of “systematic correspondence” -- the systems of Yin-Yang, Five Elements and Bagua (the Eight Trigrams) -- and their development in the Han dynasty.  We will investigate whether these systems of thought have anything to offer us in the present era, in light of recent developments in systems theory and cybernetics.Top of Form

May 29
Speech title:
The Life and Work of Nikola Tesla
Speaker:
Marko Durasic
Abstract:

Nikola Tesla symbolizes a unifying force and inspiration for all nations in the name of peace and science. He was a true visionary far ahead of his contemporaries in the field of scientific development. He went to America and had a dream to test the power of Niagara Falls. Tesla made for Edison's company several patents, which enabled the creation of a massive profit. Later he managed what he has always dreamed. At Niagara Falls the first hydropower plant was built based on Tesla's inventions, which represents the final victory of the idea of ​​alternating current. He made lot of discoveries: the Tesla coils, by which for the first time the fluorescent lighting was demonstrated; the Columbus's egg, centered on the principle of rotating magnetic field; the Neon lamp, which was the first demonstrated of wireless transmission of energy. He also worked on the study of what would later be called X-rays. However, he never patented his inventions, much of the data was destroyed in a fire in the laboratory, and all the credit for the discovery of X-ray today belong to Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. Tesla refused the Nobel Prize for few times and he stated that all of his patents remain recorded in world literature and will be more valuable to mankind than all the Nobel Prize and was absolutely right.

The forums are held in the Café Bastille 3, Taipei City, Daan District, Wenzhou Street, No.7 溫州街7號 (in the basement of the café). It’s close to Daan Forest Park (not the one at Gonguan) near the intersection with Hoping East Road. They start at 8pm.

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