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James Burke is known for
his unique talks about "Technology, Change
and the Arts." |
The Washington Post
considers him “one of the most intriguing minds
in the Western world.” With such a unique and
entertaining perspective on how people and institutions
transform, James Burke takes his audience on a creative
journey through the history of science, technology and
social change.
The intrepid researcher, writer and producer will be
on the Oswego State campus to speak about “Technology,
Change and the Arts” Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 8
p.m. in Hewitt Union ballroom.
“He has been brought here as the keynote speaker
for the Arts and Technology Initiative,” Artswego
Coordinator Mary Avrakotos said.
Burke takes a provocative look at the unforeseen process
by which scientific and technological innovation brings
about social change. He examines how the arts help to
bridge the gap between innovators and the world they
alter.
He is the creator, producer and host of several award-winning
TV series, including “Connections” on PBS,
“Connections2” and “Connections3”
on Discovery, “The Day the Universe Changed”
on PBS, “After the Warming” on PBS, and
“Masters of Illusion” for the National Gallery
of Art. He is also a contributor for Scientific
American and Time
magazine.
Burke has been a popular speaker for companies such
as IBM, NASA, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Cisco
and countless universities and museums.
Microsoft called him, “Articulate, brilliant,
engaging, insightful and reasonably droll.”
His latest book, Twin Tracks,
explores the surprising connections among the seemingly
unconnected people, events and discoveries that have
shaped our modern world. This year, Burke will launch
an innovative project, www.k-web.org,
an online interactive teaching tool. Users of the tool
will journey through a three-dimensional web, made up
of 2,500 of history’s key personalities interlinked
over 20,000 ways, to discover the remarkable serendipity
behind humankind’s tireless commitment to invention
and innovation.
He humorously includes such momentous historical coincidences
as: “How the popularity of underwear in the 12th
century led to the invention of the printing press”
or “How the arrival of the cannon led to the development
of movies.”
His next book, American Connections,
about the signers of the Declaration of Independence,
will be released sometime this year.
With quick wit and the ability to clearly explain complex
concepts to his audience, the mind of James Burke is
like the Internet: Ask a question and an interconnected
adventure begins.
The event is a free-ticketed event. Tickets are required
in advance and will be held at the box office until
Friday, Feb. 16. Seats must be claimed the night of
the talk. Seats not claimed by 7:40 p.m. the night of
the talk will be released. For further information contact
Kelly Barnard Cullinan '94,
Tyler Box Office Manager at cullinan@oswego.edu.
There will also be an informal discussion with James
Burke Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in room 232, Hewitt
Union. For information, contact Judith Belt at jbelt@oswego.edu.
—Emily King ’05 |
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