Collin College distinguished speaker series events announced for 2007-08

by John P. Meyer

The Collin College distinguished speaker series for the current term has been announced, and the stated theme of the four-program agenda is "Knowledge" - with a capital "K" (and that's short for Krups and that stands for coffee... but I digress).

All lectures are free and open to the public; the programs will be held at the Spring Creek Campus Conference Center at 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy. in Plano. All start times are 7 p.m.

The scheduled speakers are (drum roll, please!):

Dr. Trevor Pinch, who will speak on the subject of "Understanding the Golem of Science and Technology: The Social Roots of Knowledge” on Tuesday, Sept. 25. His talk centers on the sociology of knowledge - whatever that means (attend to find out!).

Diane Ackerman

Poet/author Dr. Diane Ackerman takes the podium on Tuesday, Nov. 6 to share her observations on ways of knowing. Her presentation is titled "Creative Intelligence or What a Poem Knows," and the way I know this is that it's included in the press release. (Just FYI.) Considering she kind of looks like Mary Steenburgen channeling Minnie Driver, I'm thinking it might be interesting to hear what she has to say about books being judged by their covers.

Dr. Joan Fujimura presents "Epistemology in Action: Knowledge Production in Context" on Tuesday, March 4. This talk will focus on the practical production of knowledge. Since it contains the word "action" in the title, this one could be rated PG-13 for verbal suggestions of violence. (Seriously, though, Dr. Fujimura is a highly-intelligent woman involved in the fields of anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, feminist studies, and the history of science, medicine, and technology. So don't even THINK about taking her on in a verbal sparring match.)

The series comes to a close (if not a climax) with a presentation by Dr. Michael Shermer, founder/publisher of Skeptic magazine, which tirelessly pokes holes in balloons floated by anyone advocating anything outside the boundaries of accepted scientific dogma. But that's just during working hours - at night he gazes longingly into the starry skies, dreaming of alien females with bilaterally-asymmetrical features. (Not really. At least, I have no evidence to support this theory.) Dr. Shermer's talk is titled “Why People Believe Weird Things," and if you believe that then you should show up on Tues., April 15. (Assuming you've completed your tax return. Or filed an extension.)