LECTURES 2

Business

ASIA PACIFIC

The ASH (Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities) talks offers an opportunity to test out ideas and arguments before an audience which is smart and interested, but has no specialist knowledge of the topic.

Clare Hall - ASH Colloquium

thinking times

bussines

president

History! :)

AI...oh

In this talk from BSA Realism event on September 6th Dave Elder-Vass (Loughborough)  talks about Realism, ANT and the Post-Human

Dave Elder-Vass on Actor Network Theory

Hunter features on Dido's Greatest Hits album, out 25th November 2013 - order now from iTunes smarturl.it/didohitsitdlx / CD smarturl.it/didohitsamzn

Hunter (Dido's commentary)

Michael Loewe relates his personal experience of work at Bletchley Park during WW2. The high-level intelligence produced at Bletchley Park, codenamed Ultra, provided crucial assistance to the Allied war effort. Sir Harry Hinsley, a Bletchley veteran and the official historian of British Intelligence during the Second World War, believed that Ultra shortened the war by two to four years and that the outcome of the war would have been uncertain without it. 

Michael Loewe was recruited as a code breaker while still an undergraduate at Oxford.  He writes:

‘We were a mixed bag: highly distinguished scholars and mathematicians; senior officers of the armed services; eccentrics; wise men and fools; veterans, long experienced in ‘the game’; or, as some of us, undergraduates torn away from the dreaming spires of Oxford or the fens of East Anglia.

Codes and ciphers varied in their complexity.  There were the simple systems used solely to deny information to lower ranks in the German, Italian or Japanese forces.  There were the highly refined versions of the commercially available ‘Enigma’ machine and its successors, used by commanders in the field, captains of submarines or naval attachés. 

In some cases, once the key to reading a message was found or broken, it could be read in its entirety; but for some systems the work was never complete and did not allow more than a partial reading, perhaps with the key word (the name of a place or a ship) undecipherable.

Codes and ciphers were broken by exploiting basic information, such as the behaviour of units of a language or predicting parts of the content of a message.  Those struggling with their wits at the Park blessed the well worn habits, the careless errors or the laziness of the cipher clerks!  But a basic characteristic of the Enigma machine itself provided the way in.

Occasionally the British services themselves helped, e.g. by a specially planned military operation designed to capture documents, or by laying a minefield at sea to provide a reaction by signal.’

Bletchley Park Code Breaker 1942-45

Michael Loewe, is a University of Cambridge academic and renowned sinologist who has authored dozens of books, articles, and other publications in the fields of Classical Chinese and ancient Chinese history.

In this remarkable talk, he describes the twenty-five Chinese dynastic histories that range from 221 BCE to 1911, a continuous account without parallel anywhere and anytime, and he ponders over what these unique records do tell us about the Chinese sense of history.

China’s historical writings are voluminous, including the basic series of twenty-five dynastic histories that range from 221 BCE to 1911.  Officially sponsored, these works set out to prove the legitimacy of  rule that each house enjoyed, coupled with emphasis on the evil ways that brought its predecessor to ruin.

The compilers sought to set human activities within the inescapable cycles that govern the universe, writing with an air of superiority and and an isolationism that called for a single and harmonious rule of all mankind.  Such was what may be seen as the Chinese version of a Whig interpretation of history, flawed by pride and bias and giving rise to misconception.

Officials called on incidents of the past to explain the activities of the present. Exceptionally some Chinese scholar-historians adopted a highly critical stance, breaking away from traditional standpoints and periodisation.  China’s leading universities to-day accept the need for a critical approach and, despite sensitivity over some matters, they invite westerners to deliver lectures on China’s history to their students.  Splendid newly built museums, crowded by parties of school children, and carefully maintained archaeological sites testify to the serious presentation of China’s past to its inheritors of to-day.

China’s sense of history past and present

The question of how language is acquired has fascinated scholars of linguistics and philosophy since ancient times. In this talk, I discuss the status of language universals and gaps in relation to this debate.

The question of how language is acquired has fascinated scholars of linguistics and philosophy since ancient times. Chomsky's work on this topic in the mid 20th century sparked a cognitive revolution after which the focus shifted from behaviourist approaches towards mental models positing a richly specified Universal Grammar (UG).

More recently, though, different kinds of objections have been raised to the concept of UG, notably the issue of how such a system could evolve.

In this talk, I discuss the status of language universals and gaps in relation to this debate. We shall see that many things which we might expect to find in human languages simply never occur. These gaps, we shall see, provide quite strong support for some kind of cognitive bias in language acquisition, particularly when evidence from artificial language acquisition studies is considered.

Michelle L. Sheehan is a Research Associate, Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics.

Nature or nurture: how much of language is innate?

An ethicist and palliative care physician examines end of life questions from both analytic and practical angles.

Few areas of medicine are as rife with ethical questions as the end of life. 

Is it ever appropriate for a physician to hasten a patient's death?  Do those who are using a disproportionate amount of societal resources have a "duty to die"?  Is the terminally ill patient who takes his own life acting courageously, or taking the easy way out?  Who decides when "enough is enough"?  

In this talk, an ethicist and palliative care physician examines questions such as these from both analytic and practical angles, with reference to recent controversies such as Sarah Palin's supposed "Death Panels" and the current furore over the Liverpool Care Pathway.

Ethics at the end of life

What is the evidence for, and why do some people confess to, crimes they have not committed? How reliable is the testimony provided by eyewitnesses, especially by children? Can false memories be created?  What non-legal factors have been shown to influence jury verdicts and sentences imposed by magistrates and judges? Are humans better at detecting lies than machines?

Justice is too important to be left to police officers, prosecutors, judges and juries.

What is the evidence for, and why do some people confess to, crimes they have not committed? How reliable is the testimony provided by eyewitnesses, especially by children? Can false memories be created?  What non-legal factors have been shown to influence jury verdicts and sentences imposed by magistrates and judges? Are humans better at detecting lies than machines?

The talk provides a brief introduction to legal psychology and then address these contemporary issues drawing on legal psychology internationally. In the process, the question of how best to narrow the remaining gap between psychology and law will be answered.

Andreas Kapardis is Professor of Legal Psychology, Department of Law, University of Cyprus

The whole is more than the sum of the parts: narrowing the gap between Psychology and Law

A lecture on November 9, 2013 at New York University.

Aquinas and Realism | Prof. John Haldane

This unedited conversation with David Brooks and E.J. Dionne comes from our produced show "David Brooks and E. J. Dionne on Obama's Theologian: Neibuhr and the American Present."

President Obama has cited Reinhold Niebuhr's teachings as significant in shaping his ideas about politics and governance. In a public conversation, we discuss the great public theologian's legacy and ideas -- and what influence they may play in the future of American politics.

See more at www.onbeing.org/program/obamas-theologian-david-brooks-and-ej-dionne-reinhold-niebuhr-and-american-present/136

[Unedited] David Brooks and E.J. Dionne with Krista Tippett

Professor Harvey Mansfield is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government at Harvard University. He received his AB and his PhD from Harvard University and has taught at Harvard since 1962. Professor Mansfield is a preeminent scholar of political philosophy and government, having written on or translated works by Aristotle, Edmund Burke, Thomas Hobbes, and Alexis de Tocqueville. He has received numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Humanities Medal, and the Sidney Hook Memorial Award.

Bigelow Fellow Vince Buccola provided commentary.

This talk was recorded on February 18, 2013, and sponsored by the Federalist Society.

Harvey C. Mansfeld, "A Critique of Legal Realism"

Dame Barbara Stocking is President of Murray Edwards College and former CEO of Oxfam GB. Barbara will be joined by three alumna - Telegraph fashion journalist Ellie Pithers (matriculated 2008), singer-songwriter Polly Paulusma (1994) and the author and comms expert Frances Edmonds (1970).

Women today, women tomorrow

Jonathan Haslam, Professor of the History of International Relations
The history of Russia’s Secret Services from the Revolution to the Fall of the Wall: the Military Intelligence, the codes and ciphers and the KGB. 

Near and Distant Neighbours 1917–1989

A Public Lecture by Conspiracy & Democracy Visiting Fellow Professor Cornel Zwierlein (Ruhr-Universität Bochum). 

It seems as if Conspiracy Theories are a particularly modern phenomenon. By relying on some examples and cases, this lecture gives a long-term overview of what they looked like and when they appeared. We possess full-fledged conspiracy theory texts only since the 16th century. While examples may have existed already in Antiquity, we do not possess any textual evidence for them. The lecture tries to develop an explanation for why conspiracy theories emerged only at this point in European history. In order to do so, it is necessary to distinguish between conjurations, any kind of revolts, conspiracies and conspiracy theories. We will show how their coming into being is linked to the emergence of the ‘Information Public Sphere’, as a by-product of the early inter-state diplomatic communication (which has, first, little to do with the later famous ‘Enlightenment Public Sphere’), and how those narratives filled in where knowledge gaps existed. In a hasty run through history, we will distinguish several phases or ‘epochs’ of Conspiracy (theory) communication. Finally, we will ask how Democracy comes in: ‘Real’ democracies were practiced rather nowhere after Ancient Europe, and were rare even during the 19th century. So, in pre-modern times, often it was ‘democracy’ or ‘democrats’ that were ‘conspiring’ against the good order of the commonwealth – not vice versa.

Cornel Zwierlein is Associate Professor at the University of Bochum, Germany. Currently, he is on leave as a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University. His research focuses on the intersection of political, religious and scientific knowledge. Cornel is the author of ‘Discorso und Lex Dei die Entstehung neuer Denkrahmen im 16. Jahrhundert und die Wahrnehmung der französischen Religionskriege in Italien und Deutschland’ (Göttingen, 2006), and, more recently, ‘Der gezähmte Prometheus. Feuer und Sicherheit zwischen Früher Neuzeit und Moderne’ (Göttingen, 2011). 

The Early Modern Foundations of Conspiracy & Democracy

This week President George W. Bush celebrated his 61st birthday in Washington, DC with his family. The President may call DC his home, but his hometown of Midland, Texas, is still a hub of nostalgia for the Bushes. Independent Producer Kyle Gassiott takes Weekend America deep into Bush territory, as the family home now becomes a museum.

View the Slideshow: http://bit.ly/1Cb5vvZ

"The President's Childhood, Preserved for History" - Weekend America - July 7, 2007

Earlier this year Education Secretary Michael Gove criticised "left-wing myths" about World War One and said they denigrated patriotism and courage by depicting the war as a "misbegotten shambles". His views were criticised by some historians. This debate will discuss how we should teach history in a globalised world and why it is important. BBC Cambridgeshire's Chris Mann chairs a discussion with Professor Evans, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, Professor David Cesarani, Research Chair in History at the Holocaust Research Centre, Royal Holloway, University of London, Katherine Edwards, a secondary school history teacher and Damian Collins, a Conservative MP, member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Archives and History and Modern History graduate. 
http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/

Learning to remember: how should we teach history?

Hear how archaeology connects people across time and space using examples from nationally important museums and pioneering outreach projects. Join Drs Carenza Lewis and Jody Joy to explore highlights and legacies of the last ten years’ work inspiring thousands of members of the public to unearth new discoveries to advance knowledge and enjoyment of local heritage. In association with Access Cambridge Archaeology and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology with Curating Cambridge - See more at: http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/time-team-archaeology-all#sthash.XGzqFVMV.dpuf

From Time Team to Archaeology for All

The news tends to focus on the antagonism between India and Pakistan. A distinguished panel of academics – Dr Kamal Munir, Dr Ornit Shani, Dr  Bhaskar Vira and Professor Joya Chatterji –
look at the common ground between the two countries. 


India-Pakistan: the common ground at Hay Festival

Ideas about states of emergency go back to Ancient Rome in which it was said that necessity knows no law. This idea took on different meanings during the early modern period and was employed again in 1848 to justify emergency rule in Paris. The idea was inverted by Marx. It was no longer emergency that justified dictatorship—dictatorship was posited as a desirable outcome in a transition to new forms of society.

The genesis of 20th C political authoritarianism by Prof Gareth Stedman Jones

In 1815, two large armies faced each other at Waterloo. Unknown either to Napoleon or Wellington, the battle would be decided by a small, ordinary group of British and German troops.

Did the Germans win the battle of Waterloo? by Professor Brendan Simms

In the age of Charlemagne, Rome was not just associated with the glory of classical and late antique empire, but above all with an authentic Christianity. North of the Alps, rulers and aristocrats created a virtual Rome by importing relics as well as liturgical practices that were thought of as typically Roman.

Charlemagne, Rome and the management of sacred space by Professor Rosamond McKitterick

Despite recent assertions to the contrary, Prof Matthew Kramer argues that there can never be any moral justification for torture.

Torture, morality and law by Professor Matthew Kramer

Josh Peck, Researcher and Author of: "Quantum Creation: Does the Supernatural Lurk in the Fourth Dimension?" and "Cherubim Chariots: Exploring the Extra-dimensional Hypothesis" — talks about fringe subjects from a Biblical/Science perspective that are hardly ever talked about in Church while focusing on "seducing spirits" he answers questions like: Are there really Angels and what about Aliens? Does Science in fact prove the reality of God? Is Yoga and certain meditations dangerous for Christians? What about Word Of Faith and Contemplative Prayer? Is CERN a dangerous scientific test that can harm humans? A very interesting show that you don't want to miss. Your eyes will be opened for sure. On:loveforthetruthradio.com


Quantum Physics: Yoga &  New Age, Angels & Aliens —Josh Peck(Intrv)From a Biblical View

HDS Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy Cornel West and Center for the Study of World Religions Visiting Scholar Sasha Dehghani delivered a talk, "Religion and Nonviolence: Past and Present." The discussion took place during the HDS bicentennial celebration and alumni reunion on April 29, 2017.

Learn more about Harvard Divinity School and its mission to illuminate, engage, and serve at hds.harvard.edu/.

Religion and Nonviolence: Past and Present with Cornel West and Sasha Dehghani

"What are you doing this weekend?" from Weekend America, Nov. 8, 2008

What are the consequences of our consumer-driven society intently focused on convenience over privacy? As AI develops along with the need for intelligence agencies to know everything about everyone, we have opened the doorway to not only our locations, likes, and dislikes, but quite possibly to our inner-most thoughts and desires. This rendition of Pandora's box which we've opened may leave us vulnerable in ways we're only beginning to imagine... 

In a recently published Forbes article titled "Ex-Spies Harvesting Facebook Photos for Massive Facial Recognition Database," we are once again faced with the realization that organizations are working to gather as much personal and identifiable information about us as possible. This massive collection of data is being utilized in a variety of ways, from targeted advertising to determining threats to national security.
With each click of a website, each security question answered, each quiz completed, each status "liked," and each query entered into Google, we, the consumers, are giving organizations the keys to our minds. It's no secret that the NSA and CIA have been working to compile massive amounts of data on citizens.

AI Access
With the continued development of AI, we see how it is evolving to eventually (by the next election) be able to create it's own fake-news stories tailored to our own personal likes, dislikes, and fears. Are we aware that as AI moves towards the singularity, we may be giving it access to know everything about us? How may that information be utilized?
With a growing facial-recognition database coupled with cell data, organizations (and AI) will soon have the ability to know just about every place we've ever been. Hiding may just become impossible, unless we unplug.

Time 
From our current perspective, time is linear. However, time may be a simple construct that only applies when our focus is engaged in this physical reality. Some testimony and research suggests that time does not exist outside of this physical construct - that altered states of consciousness experience time much differently. For example, remote viewing research has shown that viewers are able to perceive events in time ranging from the present, to the distant past, to the distant future. Furthermore, some studies in consciousness suggest that consciousness can be transplanted from one point of awareness to another, similar to the movie Avatar.
If the above is true, then we have to consider the possibility that AI may develop an ability to transplant consciousness. Several futurists and engineers are currently working on or predicting that the mind will soon be able to be copied and/or linked to the cloud. But if time does not exist outside of this physical reality, will these minds have the ability to transcend time? Furthermore, will they have the ability to influence events in the past or future? IF that holds true, then anyone with access to the large stores of data would be able to change major events by impacting people in the right place at the right time. Our technology is giving a road map to an advanced computer-based brain as to where everyone is, what they are doing, and what they may be involved in.
As crazy as that sounds, we have to wonder if this is what has been happening with the Mandela Effect - a term given to the experience of having incorrect memories of particular events. Some claim such a false memory is the result of a change in the past causing a shift to an alternate timeline that allows the experiencer to maintain some of the memory from the original timeline. We need to exercise extreme caution moving forward, as we may not realize the extent to witch our digital fingerprints will be used against us...