University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

Animals and tricksters are highly prominent beings in the mythology of the San Bushmen of southern Africa, as well as of hunter-gatherers in other regions of the world. Their actions and interactions provide the plot lines for most of the stories people tell about myth time. Why are these two beings so preeminent in San mythology and storytelling? Is there a connection between the two beings? Mathias Guenther discusses these two questions and the answer reveals a deep – and deep-rooted –mystical connection also between animals and humans. The hunting-gathering people that provide the cultural context for my talk are the San Bushmen of southern Africa, amongst whom I have done ethnographic field work. I will also consider hunter-gatherers from other parts of the world, both from present or recent times and from prehistory. These considerations may shed some light on certain aspects of prehistoric cave paintings. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39004]

Learn about groundbreaking research being conducted by some of the most highly skilled and intelligent minds in the nation towards enhancing human health, in fields such as biomedical sciences, social sciences, and digital health. In this program, you will learn how a single cell can learn, despite not having brain. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38982]

Political, financial and environmental crises coupled to the rise of social media have, in recent years, created a perfect storm of mis- and disinformation that leverage long standing reservoirs of belief within and across communities. These stories on social media mirror face-to-face storytelling and other storytelling environments in that they allow for the negotiation of cultural ideology (norms, beliefs, values), yet they also change the scope, speed and amplification of that storytelling. Importantly, storytelling has real world effects, and often motivates people to take action. We present a graphical model of the underlying narrative frameworks, estimated from the data itself, and show how various network based methods can form the basis for understanding the narrative coherence—and their possible outcomes—even when the discussions on social media are incomplete and noisy, as conversations in real life often are. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39003]

Director Paromita Vohra joins moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) in a discussion of her film Partners in Crime, which dives into the world of copyright law, piracy, and the fluid nature of authorship. She dives into concepts like the cultural commons and the complicated nature of artistic value. She also details the social and economic contexts of the bazaar and the impacts of a rapidly changing economic landscape on art. They share perspectives on the diversity of people involved in the “illegal” market, the impacts of colonization and neoliberal practices, and the nuances of conflicting definitions of ownership. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39048]

A team of UC Davis researchers is making advances in a field that could eventually allow brain surgeons to offer replacement parts to injured patients.

Series: "UCTV Prime" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39213]

Combating destructive effects of climate change, the Arboretum and Public Garden staff and Learning by Leading™ students plant test trees to cultivate a resilient and diverse urban tree canopy for the UC Davis community. Emily Griswold, Director of GATEways Horticulture and Teaching Gardens, outlines the tireless research and work of tending to mature trees and planting saplings.

Series: "UCTV Prime" [Science] [Show ID: 39214]

UC Davis engineers and neuroscientists are exploring how robots and artificial intelligence can improve prosthetic devices and make them more intuitive for their users. They've also teamed up with a multidisciplinary team at UC Davis Health in Sacramento in an overall effort to improve prostheses for amputees and prevent prosthetic abandonment.

Series: "UCTV Prime" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39208]

Did you know that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals directly reflect human rights standards? Dr. Leighangela Brady, superintendent of National School District, shares how her district brings these goals and human rights work into the classroom, addressing real world problems with engaging learning opportunities. Series: "Education Channel" [Public Affairs] [Education] [Show ID: 39017]

As part of the 2023 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Judy Bachman and Lisa Rivera discuss the latest in medical mobility equipment for people with developmental disabilities. Join us as we delve into the diverse range of assistive devices, from power wheelchairs to walkers, and explore the considerations, options, and challenges faced by individuals with mobility needs. Discover the latest innovations, expert insights, and practical advice to empower individuals and their families in making informed decisions about choosing the right device for their unique circumstances. Get ready to unlock new possibilities and enhance mobility for all. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38882]

The Basement Gallery is a student-run organization located in the basement of the UC Davis art department and holds shows featuring student artwork. Learn more about the organization and some of the participating artists. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39216]