LIFELONG LEARNING ACADEMY’S
Einstein’s Circle
Spring 2015 Semester
At USF Sarasota-Manatee
These open forums, moderated by knowledgeable experts in a variety of topics, provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a thoughtful exchange of ideas, opinions and information.
March 11: Inventions: The Story Behind Discoveries
March 18: Exercising Your Creative Mind: An Introduction to Creativity
March 25: Future WOW!
April 1: Vampire Squid: Are Banks Too Big to Fail?
(Sarasota-Manatee, Florida) Lifelong Learning Academy announces its spring session of Einstein’s Circle forums, held on Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2:30-4 p.m., in Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Cost is $12 per session. Members of the Lifelong Learning Academy receive a 10 percent discount. Seating is limited. Register online at www.lla-sm.org or by calling 941-359-4296. For additional information on the Lifelong Learning Academy, including weekly updates of Einstein’s Circle, visit www.lla-sm.org or call 941-359-4296.
Inventions: The Story Behind Discoveries: (Wednesday, March 11): Does Thomas Edison deserve all the credit for the light bulb? Who actually discovered the formula for Coca-Cola, and what was its original intended use? Dr. James Vartuli explores how inventions come about, the role of patents, and the history of some well-known inventions and their sometimes far-reaching and unforeseen consequences. Vartuli holds a doctorate in physical chemistry and spent 31 years as a corporate researcher in the area of porous materials for catalytic and sorption uses. He holds numerous exclusive patents for his discoveries.
Exercising Your Creative Mind: An Introduction To Creativity (Wednesday, March 18): Creativity is in everyone, but how does one tap into and use it? The ability to call on creative resources is an important skill. This interactive forum, co-moderated by author and creativity consultant Hedria Lukne Saltzman and Katherine (Kitty) Heusner, founder of the annual Florida Creative Weekend, will provide insights, tools and techniques for enjoying a more creative life.
Future WOW! (Wednesday, March 25): Futurist David Houle takes participants on a video excursion through the future of technology, medicine, 3-D printing and creativity and explores how developments once relegated to science fiction are rapidly becoming part of our daily lives. Houle is “Futurist in Residence” at Ringling College. He is also a renowned speaker, a guest columnist for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and winner of both an Emmy Award and a George Peabody Award.
Vampire Squid: Are Banks Too Big To Fail? (Wednesday, April 1): Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi described Goldman Sachs as “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.” Don Hagan, co-founder, partner and director of research at Day-Hagan Asset Management, explores whether banks really are too big to fail and discusses how several large investment banks make money, manipulate markets and potentially create inordinate risks to our economic and financial well-being.
Lifelong Learning Academy offers four course terms per year on the USFSM campus, at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, and at State College of Florida at Lakewood Ranch, 7131 Professional Pkwy. E., Sarasota. Most courses last six to eight weeks and classes meet for one hour and 20 minutes each week. For more information about the Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org.
