Humanities (Audio)

Philosophy almost alone among disciplines appears to lack a distinctive subject matter. The world has chemical, biological and political aspects, but no philosophical aspects. If subject matter does have a role to play here, it’s to do less with the field’s descriptive ambitions than the genealogy of philosophical problems. MIT's professor of philosophy's Stephen Yablo’s interests are wide-ranging, from metaphysics, philosophical logic and epistemology, to the philosophy of language and the philosophy of mathematics. A prolific writer, Yablo is the author of a two-volume collection of papers called Thoughts: Papers on Mind, Meaning, and Modality (2009) and Things: Papers on Objects, Events, and Properties (2010). His most recent book, Aboutness (2014), attempts to make topic an equal partner in meaning with truth-conditions, applying meanings so conceived to knowledge, logic, ontology, discourse theory, and philosophical methodology. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37732]

UC Santa Cruz drama lecturer Don Williams talks about how he founded, in 1991, UCSC's African American Theater Arts Troupe, or "AATAT" as it’s often called. The theater group has had a profound and lasting effect on countless numbers of African American students throughout the years. His students have a deep appreciation and love for his willingness to address head on not only what it means to be Black on the UCSC campus, but also the importance of exposing African American students, and all students, to the Black experience through plays written by Black playwrights. Series: "The Art of Change" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38077]

Through the Earth Microbiome Program and complementary efforts, we have sampled a broad range of microbiomes from across the planet. All microbiomes that have been studied are impacted by human activity — the effects of industrialization on the human microbiome are best characterized, but capture of animals in zoos, domestication, modification of soils through agricultural practices, and modification of freshwater and marine microbiomes have also all been well characterized. Indeed, the pervasive role of environmental microbiomes in biogeochemical cycles necessary to sustain life led to a position paper entitled "Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change”, the title of which speaks for itself. However, there is hope. Efforts such as the Microbiota Vault will be especially important in this respect, but also new monitoring and modeling approaches will help us understand where to look globally for the best specimens and microbes to preserve. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 37909]

The founders of Pride Ortho, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ people in the field of orthopedic medicine, talk about the importance of creating a supportive and safe space for their community. [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 38220]

For San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, public office is about the opportunity to improve the lives of the people he serves. Fletcher's road to public service is grounded in a difficult upbringing where he and his mother endured domestic violence and poverty in the South. He worked during high school to support his family, went to college on a football scholarship and served a decade in the Marine Corps. Fletcher says looking forward and a commitment to community is important. As the leading face of San Diego's COVID-19 response plan, Fletcher acknowledges how difficult the pandemic has been on people, from health care workers to parents to small business owners. He says many challenges - homelessness, poverty, mental illness and high cost of housing - remain, and he is committed to continue to fight forward. Series: "Triton Talks" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 38069]

Director/co-writer Pamela B. Green and producer/co-writer Joan Simon discuss their documentary "Be Natural: The Untold of Alice Guy-Blaché" with moderator Cynthia Felando. Green and Simon explain the 10-year-long process of researching to make the documentary, as well as their respective inspirations for discovering more about the pioneering film making of Alice Guy-Blaché. Green also discusses her unique directorial approach that involved relaying film history like a “detective story” by involving the audience in her archival work. Simon talks in detail about the feminist scholars and film festivals that first brought Guy-Blaché’s films into academia, and how many of Guy-Blaché’s contributions to early cinema are often overlooked. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38079]

How does the concept of space enhance our understanding of the Holocaust? In this talk, British historian Tim Cole tells the story of the Shoah through an exploration of landscapes victims moved—and were moved—through across Europe. His exploration of the “Holocaust landscapes” shines a powerful light on the geographic dimensions of the Shoah. Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37452]

Moderator Jean Beaman joined doctoral candidate Leonard Cortana and Professor Ricado Jacobs to discuss Murder in Paris: The Assassination of Dulcie September. They explore the legacy of Dulcie September, her antiapartheid activism and work in the African National Congress (ANC), and the aftermath and ongoing investigation of her assassination. Cortana and Jacobs also examine the importance of media in the antiapartheid struggle, the continuing challenges of restricted archives, and the need to investigate the broader, intersecting systems of racism and global capitalism in assessing the case of Dulcie September. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38047]

Now leading one of the largest school districts in the country, Lamont Jackson, Ph.D., the new superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, is also the product of San Diego's public schools. Jackson says it is important to have a clear vision about access to education. He says the district believes in equity, diversity, and inclusion but that historically it didn't always welcome black and brown children and those who are most marginalized. Jackson shares how his personal journey shaped who he is and his view on making education accessible to all. Series: "Triton Talks" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 38072]

In California, the car is king. Most travel is conducted by car across all socio-economic groups and has been incentivized by massive government investment in roads, infrastructure, and sprawling land use developments. Will gas-fueled cars continue to dominate the roads or do we need an alternative transportation future? How can we redesign our transportation system to reduce chronic traffic congestion, promote healthier environments, reduce the cost of travel, and provide greater mobility between work, home, and play for all? Series: "Design at Large" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 38118]