For Nerd Nite #3 get ready to uncover the hidden secrets of nitrogen, venture into some absurd film genres, and witness the manipulation of physical objects and digital worlds without any direct contact!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. 3 speakers will present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.
It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
EVENT:
Thursday, May 9th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
Facebook Event <–be sure to RSVP!
FREE!
PRESENTATIONS:
“The Secret Life of Nitrogen: Hot Air, Massive Explosions and the Parable of How Too Much of a Good Thing Will Kill Us All” by Clayton Louis Ferrara
Nitrogen is an element. It exists all around us and inside of us as one of the most plentiful atoms in the Universe. But little do you know Nitrogen has a secret life. In the Biosphere, Nitrogen transitions in and out of the food web to become both the most plentiful gas on Earth and an unforgiving weapon of mass destruction. Explore the secret life of Nitrogen and learn how Lucky #7 on the Periodic Table has us all by the balls.
Clayton Louis Ferrara is a poet and Biologist. He is a distinguished alumnus of the prestigious Arts & Science College, Rollins where he received degrees in both Biology and Environmental Studies. He has lived in Winter Park since 2004 and currently travels the World educating, engaging and empowering humanity to reconnect with ecology. Clay is National Science Director of IDEAS for Us and founder of the Terra Firma Institute. He recently was bestowed the title of “Darwin Scholar” by the International Field School for his skill as a Naturalist.
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“Horror Porn Romcoms: The Absurdity of Film Genres ” by Ricardo Williams
Have you ever laughed uncontrollably at a movie that was intended to be serious? Is the Dark Knight the most romantic film of all time? There are many ways an artist can categorize and classify their work, but what does that have to do with you? Heck, an explicit sex scene could turn an Oscar contender into pornography! In this talk, Ricardo will discuss the advantages (and disadvantages) of categorizing films by genre and how irrelevant they may be to the audience.
Ricardo Williams is a film artist and musician. Since studying communications at Pace University in New York City, he has appeared in independent films and commercial spots for Subway restaurants and the Golf Channel, among others. He has also guest lectured on film theory and video production at New York’s School of Visual Arts.
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“Technological Telekinesis: Become One with the Force” by Nathan Selikoff
Witness how objects and digital worlds can be manipulated without any direct contact. You never see a Jedi with a keyboard or a touchscreen, do you? Why be tethered when you can freely express yourself? With a low-cost input device, a laptop, and a bit of programming know-how, you can capture a flick of the wrist or an all out dance routine. What you do from there is only limited by your imagination. Kinect yourself and Leap into the future!
Nathan Selikoff’s award-winning artwork has been exhibited in galleries and venues throughout the United States and around the world, including Art Basel in Switzerland; Bridges Conferences in Portugal, Hungary, Canada and the Netherlands; the Maitland Art Center in Florida; AXIOM Gallery in Boston; the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art; the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in California; and SIGGRAPH Art Galleries in various US cities. Recently, he has participated in contemporary site-specific projects around Orlando, Florida, installing sculptures made from recycled cardboard inspired by some of his digital works. He has also been collaborating with composers and musicians, creating and performing live projected visuals for new music concerts. In 2011 he had his first solo and two-person exhibitions in Central and South Florida. In 2008 Nathan participated in a three week residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, studying under master artist John F. Simon, Jr.
MUSIC:
TBD
Nerd Nite Orlando #1 was a great success and we are ready for round two! If you attended the 1st event then hopefully you know to show up early if you want to order food and secure a seat! This month MC Wreckshin will be performing between talks!
Now get ready and prepare to breakdance your way to energy independence, go on an adventure through the cradle of life, and learn how you too can prevent Earth’s very own destruction!
It’s like the Discovery Channel, with beer!
EVENT:
Thursday, April 11th, 7:00pm
Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
Facebook Event <–be sure to RSVP!
FREE!
MUSIC:
MC Wreckshin (Nerdcore)
MC Wreckshin is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the Nerdcore Hip Hop supergroup Emergency Pizza Party. Known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals, Wreckshin’s career has remained large and impressive, and continues to stay that way with each release. MC Wreckshin is a national treasure and should be treated as such. www.mcwreckshin.com
PRESENTATIONS:
“Breakdancing Our Way to Energy Independence: The Power of Human Movement” by Chris Castro
Every human movement is a transfer of clean energy that could power our needs around us everyday. Now imagine a paradigm shift in the way we create and use energy, where collective human movements becomes the source to electrify our lives, and transition us away from the energy that built our World, to the energy that will shape our future.
Chris is an emerging social eco-preneur with a passion for catalyzing the transition to the clean energy economy and advancing Sustainability around the World. During his studies at the University of Central Florida, he co-founded an environmental movement called IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions) — a network of chapters, youth leaders and green professionals across the nation and around the World, who are turning our ideas into solutions and actions that address local challenges. Chris and team went on to create IDEAS into a international nonprofit and continues to facilitate the growth and impacts of the movement world-wide. In addition, Chris presented at TEDxOrlando in 2012 and most recently was a keynote speaker and panelist at the 2013 International Economics Congress in Berlin.
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“Ingenuity in the Cradle of Life: Ain’t the Africa You Thought You Knew” by Eryck Dzotsi
This talk will serve to debunk preconceived African myths while highlighting the incredible accomplishments of some of Africa’s finest minds and innovative thinkers. This adventure into African ingenuity will expose you to an exciting variety of the major catalysts to the African technological momentum and mobile revolution. The short trip will cover a lot of ground across a variety of topics including the “magical healing powers” of an herbal plant, waterless bathing, caching the Internet, and building new technology from scraps.
Eryck Dzotsi (@erycked) was born in Togo, Africa and left to attend the Florida Institute of Technology. He is a Search Marketing Professional, Social Media Strategist, and author of “The Remote Worker’s Guide to Excellence.” He developed his affinity for search marketing and social media while working to build the a network of entertainment sites that forever changed the face of African music online. During this time also earned the nickname “Juicy” and the Juicy Search was born. Feel free to ask him about his alter ego the Organic Juicer!
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“Preparation A: Our Relief Against Severe Assteroids” by Derek Demeter
Does your planet suffer from the chance of a severe asteroid or comet impact? Could this event potentially wipe most life on your planet, bring forth another major extinction event? Well we have the solution! Introducing Preparation A, a new revolutionary product brought to you by the many space agencies of planet Earth. Preparation A is your first line defense against these catastrophic events. Don’t let asteroids get you down, try Preparation A today!
Ever since Derek could remember, he has been looking to the stars. Derek Demeter began working at the Seminole State College Planetarium in 2003 while a Physics and Technical Education student. By 2007, Mr. Demeter was offered the position of planetarium director, and immediately began the process of writing and producing new shows, including a complete series of presentations that explore the astronomy and history of numerous cultures from around the world. Over much of the last decade, his passion for teaching people about the wonders of the universe has earned him accolades and recognition from the planetarium industry, his peers, and the community. Derek also promotes science beyond the planetarium with his appearances at many other venues such as the Harmony Dark Sky Festival, Cafe Science of Orlando, local libraries, serving as Vice President of the Central Florida Astronomical Society, or simply setting up a telescope at local shopping centers to give the public a truly “out-of-this world” experience.
March 2013 Poster
Nerd Nite is coming to Orlando! Joining the ranks of more than 50 cities across the globe, Orlando is now hosting an evening of fun-yet-informative talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Nerds and non-nerds alike gather to meet, drink, and learn something new.
March 14th (Pi Day!) kicks off the first ever Orlando Nerd Nite and throughout the night we will interact with a growing collective of cyborgs, take a flight powered by french fries, and end up getting really high in outer space.
It’s like the Discovery Channel , with beer!
Thursday, March 14th, 7:00pm
Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
Facebook Event
The details of the three presentations for the evening are:
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“How To Survive the Robot Apocalypse: Cyborgs > Humans.” by Lance R. Vick
Meet and have a discussion with an actual cyborg that has both near field communication (NFC) radio and neodymium magnet surgical implants. Learn about his current capabilities, discussion of other upgraded humans, as well as future upgrade plans and possibilities for biohacking. When robots take over the world, we figure they will probably kill off the cyborgs last. Becoming a cyborg means living longer! Resistance is futile!
Lance R. Vick is a software engineer, open source software advocate, entrepreneur, and member of Orlando’s FamiLAB hackerspace. Between building startups, and providing custom technology solutions for many industry leading companies (including 3M, Amway Arena, Mayo Clinic, Citigroup, and Atlantis Resorts) he has built experience in a variety of areas. A few of his projects include a mobile web based showroom control system, a web based QR code authentication platform, a 360 degree projection gaming system, a markdown driven static blogging library, and a musician scouting website for bands.
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“High Frying: Biofuel Is Not Just for Hippies Anymore.” by Carol Sugars
What happens when you take a soviet era military jet and fuel it with cooking oil? The world’s first 100% biofuel-powered transcontinental jet flight! Biofuel isn’t just for powering converted Volkswagen Bus Vanagons anymore. In this talk, Carol will discuss the challenges and excitement of piloting this historic flight and what it means for the future of “alternative” transportation.
Specializing in Avionics/Aerospace Systems Engineering Carol Sugars has been involved in various design and development projects involving radar, communications, noise cancellation technology and aviation fuels. With over 10,000 hours of flight time she has flown more than 50 different types of aircraft all over the world, from light single engine to four engine heavy jets, and holds licenses for Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineer, FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor and Ground Instructor.
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“Growing Weed in Space: Can You Get Too High?” by Dr. Luke B. Roberson
With the ever-changing political atmosphere regarding controlled substances like marijuana, are there any implications of growing “illegal” plants in international space? Would space weed be the same as its terrestrial counterpart or would it result in an evolved, super drug? This talk will take a practical and technically achievable look at answering these far out questions.
Luke B. Roberson, Ph.D. is a systems engineer for science payload development at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. He is responsible for designing, building, verifying, and validating science experiments for deployment to the International Space Station (ISS). His two current projects are focused on plant growth chambers with the role of integrating science and engineering requirements to create a high fidelity experimental platform for research aboard ISS. Previously Dr. Roberson served as a research scientist at KSC inventing and developing new technologies for the space industry. In addition, Dr. Roberson is the President of Vaulted Technologies, a startup company empowered to create revolutionary inventions to change the world. Dr. Roberson has 3 issued patents, 10 pending patents, over 20 published scientific articles, and co-authored a book.
