Ricardo Williams is currently the host of Nerd Nite Orlando and works as a designer, filmmaker, and musician. He also writes about culture, history, and US politics.
NERDY SPEED DATING IS A SPECIAL EVENT THAT IS HOSTED BY NERD NITE ORLANDO EVERY THIRD SATURDAY
Nerd Nite cities from across the world have hosted Nerdy Speed Dating for a decade. The event has boasted many successful matchmaking and fostered a long list of committed relationships, engagements, and marriages (and even a few wee ones).
For this month, we are having a special edition of “nerdy speed friend-ing”.
Nerdy Speed Friend-ing is similar in concept to nerdy speed dating in that it gives attendees a great chance to meet many people in a fast and structured way for the purpose of determining potential connections. The event provides attendees with a relaxed opportunity of making friends and (possibly) dates at the same time, while not being separated or limited by gender or sexual orientation.
Each friend-making session will be 3-minutes long with one person; and everyone will have the opportunity for multiple session with different people. (Never the same person)
We will have surprise activities to help foster long lasting friendships.
NERDY SPEED FRIEND-ING IS FOR ALL NERDS. WE ARE LGBTQ-FRIENDLY
Next event:
When: Saturday, September 19th at 6:30pm
Where: The Geek Easy (inside “A Comic Shop”)
114 S Semoran Blvd Suite 6, Winter Park, Florida 32792
Join us for a special edition of Nerd Nite presentations at Maker Faire Orlando.
Nerd Nite is returning to Maker Faire Orlando for the fourth annual event, held September 12th & 13th at the Orlando Science Center and Loch Haven Park.
Sunday Speaker Schedule
Felix Sosa 2:30
Omar Khateeb 3:00
Nathan Selikoff 3:30
Max Jackson 4:00
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“DNA: The New Programming Language” by Felix Sosa(Saturday, 12:30pm & Sunday, 2:30pm)
Felix Sosa is a synthetic biology researcher at UCF and is the university’s iGEM Team Captain where he leads student team members in an international competition held at MIT each year to build powerful biological machines. He believes the future of technology is life itself and that future programmers won’t be dealing solely with 1s and 0s but with DNA as well. Felix is a supporter of the DIY synthetic biology movement that is taking place across the world.. From founding organizations at UCF to giving presentations (like this one) he hopes to spread the word.
“Legal and Business Issues for Makers” by Chrissie Scelsi (Saturday, 1pm)
Chrissie Scelsi is the principal of Scelsi Entertainment and New Media Law with offices in Orlando and Port Charlotte, Florida, where she focuses her practice on entertainment, intellectual property, internet, technology, and business law. Ms. Scelsi has served as in house counsel for an international game based-simulations company, where she was responsible for advising on software licensing matters, trademarks, copyright, and corporate issues. Ms. Scelsi began her practice in 2009, working with a punk music festival, and in years since has worked with clients ranging from software companies and independent filmmakers to professional daredevils and reality television participants.
“Making Art: Somebody Stop Me Please” by Brendan O’Connor(Saturday, 1:30pm)
Brendan O’Connor is an import from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada and a graduate of Rollins College, where he earned a BA in Environmental and Growth Management Studies. He fills his days with pop-up street art installations, driving the ArtReach Orlando mobile art truck, and gossiping about Orlando as the Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com.
“Making Robots More Like You: The Science and Psychology of Understanding Human Decisions and Trying to Help Robots Make Sense of it All” by Beth Phillips(Saturday, 2pm)
Elizabeth “Beth” Phillips is a doctoral candidate in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology PhD program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. She is currently working on her dissertation in human-robot interaction. Her primary research responsibilities lie with the Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance (RCTA), a multidisciplinary research consortium working towards the development of future human-robot teams. She has an interest in how robots and other technologies are changing the way we interact with the world and one another, including changing the nature of human relationships. She is a slow runner, fast learner, and lives in an electric ukulele household. Also passionate about: saxophone, space, sustainability, people, and creating. For more information, please check out about.me/elizabeth.phillips
“Robots and the Art of Surgery” by Omar Khateeb(Sunday, 3pm)
Omar Khateeb is the U.S. Marketing Manager at Mazor Robotics, a surgical robotics company focused on spine and neurosurgery. Omar was born and raised in the border town of El Paso, Texas and spent his childhood summers in the heart of Istanbul, Turkey. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) where he earned a degree in Biology from the University Honors Program. After spending a couple years studying medicine at Texas Tech University-Foster School of Medicine, Omar left to pursue a career in the startup and surgical technologies industry.Omar currently resides in Orlando and works in the surgical devices industry.
“Making Maps” by Nathan Selikoff(Sunday, 3:30pm)
Nathan Selikoff plays with interactivity and motion in time and space. Inspired by the behavior of systems, science, nature, and music, he combines computer code, traditional materials, and future technology to bring new ideas to life. His award-winning artwork has been exhibited and performed in galleries and venues throughout the United States and around the world. Selikoff is represented by Snap! Space in Florida, Bangkok, and Amsterdam.
“Lighting the Way: Fixing the Brain through Optogenetics” by Max Jackson(Sunday, 4pm)
Max Jackson is a graduate student at UCF, working at the Hickman ‘Body-on-a-Chip’ lab where he develops software to automate the production, collection, and analysis of electrophysiological signals. He is a co-founder of Cortex, a company that works to develop neurotechnology which empowers makers, artists, the medical community, and everyday people alike.
Join us as we return to the Geek Easy for the 31st consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando.
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. Speakers present for 15-20 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
EVENT IS FREE!
EVENT INFO:
When: Thursday, September 10th, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Where: The Geek Easy (behind “A Comic Shop”)
114 S Semoran Blvd #6
Winter Park, FL 32792
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We will be hosting a raffle!
Raffle Prizes include: * TICKETS to Maker Faire Orlando at the Orlando Science Center on September 12th and 13th http://www.makerfaireorlando.com/
PRESENTATION #1:
“The Amazing Fabric of Gordon Space Time” by Scott Gordon
Talk Description: The current concept of space time is incorrect and it has been for the past 100+ years. This incorrect concept of space time is one of the reasons why the theoretical physicists cannot solve the theory of everything. Gordon is claiming to have solved the theory of everything and is presenting the correct manner in which space time should be modelled. He will present space time as an energy medium that light waves propagate through, as well as show how the energy contained in the space time medium fits into the big picture of all energy in our universe.
Speaker Bio: Scott Gordon is a Brooklyn-born and public school educated, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Gordon also has an M.D. degree from New York Medical College and works as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery for the past 28 years. As a humorist, he co-authored the book, “The Celebrity Who’s Who of Losers”, and co-hosted a radio talk show “The Gordon Brothers Weekend Revue” on 580 WDBO. He also co-wrote the medical comedy movie, National Lampoon presents RoboDoc and also composed, arranged and created its original music soundtrack.
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PRESENTATION #2:
“Vulnerability: You ARE crazy and its GREAT” by Rodrigo Groppa
Talk Description: An exploration of different vulnerability activities. From the Meisner technique to EMDR therapy, we will explore how getting in touch with your emotions helps make life more engaging and authentic.
Speaker Bio: Rodrigo Groppa is a software engineer and rainbow enthusiast. He is passionately driven to constantly improve himself and the world. This speech is a part of that journey.
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PRESENTATION #3:
“The Science of Jurassic World” by Trevor Valle
Talk Description: “In the “Science” Of Jurassic World, we will look into the science of dinosaurs, the aspects of speculative genetic engineering of extinct species, how these ancient animals interacted with their environment… and how the movie got practically everything about it wrong, with 100% less overt sexism and fan pandering!”
Speaker Bio: “Trevor Valle is a field paleontologist who specializes in the recovery of fossils from large-scale construction sites. A three-time NerdNite Los Angeles presenter, Trevor also was the host of the National Geographic Channel’s “Mammoths Unearthed”, documenting his six-week adventure in Siberia hunting for the remains of woolly mammoths. He likes dead things, strong drink, and enjoys getting dirty.”
The Infinity Toy & Comic Con is a comic book convention located in Orlando, Florida. There are three rooms and well over 7,000 square feet of vendor space with a wide range of products from some of todays hottest publishers and manufacturers. From Publishing, Marvel, DC, Image Comics, IDW HeroClix, Magic the Gathering, Kotobukiya, Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, Mattel, Hasbro, Paladone, Dark Horse, Gentle Giant, Bowen, and more. If you are looking for it, chances are this show will have it.
Be it comic books, comic book original art, magazines, toys, games, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, sketches or apparel—The Infinity Toy and Comic Con strives to make it available to convention attendees.
The next event is Saturday, August 29th
At Nerd Nite’s Movie & Trivia Nite (on Thursday, August 27th), we will be awarding the winners of trivia with FREE tickets to the Infinity Toy & Comic Con.
We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. Thus, Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in nearly 100 cities across the globe during which several folks give 18-21-minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along. Imagine learning about everything from math feuds or the science of the Simpsons, to the genealogy of Godzilla or debunking beer myths, while having a few or a few too many.
The Nerd Nite Podcast on CBS’ new Play It network brings the live experience of our in-person events for your aural pleasure, so feel free to have a drink or two while listening – just as long as you aren’t driving and are of age!
Every episode features a new guest from a different Nerd Nite city around the world. This episode features Beth Phillips with the presentation, “Robot Intimacy: The Inevitable Leap Between Love and Sex with Robots”
Episode description:
Robots are undergoing a transformation in society, from fulfilling roles as dissociative tools to roles as our partners and collaborators. Drawing on what we know about the current direction of robotic design as well as human attachment, it’s easy to predict that one day we will have loving, intimate relationships with our mechanical friends. Nerd Nite Orlando co-boss Ricardo Williams interviews Elizabeth “Beth” Phillips, a doctoral candidate in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology PhD program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, to discuss the future of human-robot relations and why envisioning a world in which people fall in love with artificial beings is not as far-fetched as it may seem. Phillips is currently working on her dissertation in human-robot interaction and her research focuses on enabling effective teamwork between humans and robots of the future. She has an interest in how robots and other technologies are changing the way.
Great news nerds! Not only will we be hosting our 30th consecutive Nerd Nite at the Orlando Science Center completely for free, but thanks to our friends at Juice Bike Share, you can bike there (also) for free!
Here’s what you do:
* Download Social Bicycles mobile app
* Select a plan
* Use the promo code: NERDNITE30
* Pick a bike at a nearby hub
* Unlock with account number and pin
* Enjoy!
The promo code gives all new users of the Juice Bike Share program, a $10 credit- which is more than enough to ride there and back.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Juice Bike Share at 407-930-9414 or
Juice Bike Share will also be setting up a temporary bike share station at the Orlando Science Center so that new (and existing users) can park their bikes at the event for free.
