Follow on FB
|
Follow on Twitter
|
|
|
|
Public Speaking
I have an interest in speaking publicly, especially with respect to topics related to nonlocal consciousness, the nature of physical reality, and other topics listed below. These topics are suggestions only. If your group wishes to invite me to speak about
one of these topics, or perhaps even a different topic, please click on
the "Contact" link at the bottom of the navigation bar on the
left to make your request. Please include possible dates, your group's
web site (if relevant), and other useful details. I have a particular
interest to speak in settings that encourage rigorous scientific debate.
Selected Topics Involving Consciousness and Physics
- Multiple Universes — There is an argument that can be intelligently made that our reality exists simultaneously with a multiplicity of parallel universes. There is also evidence on the quantum and macro levels that supports this hypothesis. Some of the macro evidence involves scientific experiments involving consciousness. Predicting the future is possible only if one controls for a particular universe, since evidence suggests that all futures expand probabilistically across the multiplicity of parallel universes.
- The Nature of Time and Space — Structured nonphysical
perception clearly works transparently through time. It is now possible
to conduct fully replicable experiments using exhaustive scientific
controls that demonstrate this conclusively. The implications to our
understanding of time and space are profound. New cosmological ideas
are required that extend well beyond the currently debated theories
of time and space in order to account for these experimental results.
I discuss these experimental results involving nonphysical perception
within the context of a variety of quantum and relativistic theories
of physical reality, and I suggest aspects of these theories that would
need modification in order to allow for the experimental results.
- The Case for Generalizing the Theory of Quantum Mechanics
— The current scientific paradigm states that the quantum and
classical realms are separate: one cannot examine classical physics
with the same lens with which one examines quantum mechanics. However,
this is a logical inconsistency that begs to be re-evaluated. One cannot
escape the fact that all phenomena occurring on the classical (macro)
level are based at their core on quantum processes, since all macro
things are composed of quantum things. New experimental evidence from
the science of consciousness supports the idea that quantum theory must
be generalized to the macro level, and that at least some crucial phenomena
that have previously been assumed to occur only on the quantum level
also occur on the macro level. This leads to an interpretation of macro
reality as a consequence only of wave-form interaction as opposed to
one involving matter and space.
- The Psi Wars — There currently are two scientific
"psi wars" going on. (1) The first psi war involves the debate
about whether nonphysical consciousness actually exists. One side says
that consciousness is merely a by-product of the physical brain, and
when the brain stops functioning, consciousness ceases to exist. The
other side says that says that proof of nonphysical consciousness is
clear, if only one will examine the evidence with an open mind. (2)
The second psi war involves those who study nonphysical perception and
who already agree that current scientific evidence demonstrates unambiguously
that psi is a real phenomenon. The questions debated in this war involve
how to measure and evaluate nonphysical perception. Competing experimental
designs have been used with strikingly dissimilar results. New experimental
evidence and theory suggest that the strength of psi phenomena may have
been vastly underestimated in the past due to the unwitting use of experimental
designs that corrupt psychic functioning. The implications of new research
in which the experimental designs are modified to eliminate the corrupting
influence morph in the direction of profundity.
Topics Involving Mathematics and Social Science
- Nonlinearity in Social Phenomena — Most commonly
encountered mathematical models of social phenomena are linear in structure.
However, nearly all of nature is nonlinear. In this talk I argue in
favor of exploiting highly nonlinear modeling approaches in developing
theories of social and political phenomena. I address four dominant
processes of growth: (1) regular, (2) periodic, (3) chaotic, and (4)
catastrophe. I also explain how these processes can work in combination
within various specifications of competitive and cooperative dynamical
systems.
- Graph Algebra — Graph algebra is a graphical
language originating from the theory of systems that can assist the
development of algebraically sophisticated mathematical models of human
attitudes and behaviors. Working with both continuous and discrete-time
dynamical systems is a great strength of graph algebra. I outline the
basics of this language and offer a wide range of examples of its use.
This topic is particularly relevant to social science departments wanting
to encourage their graduate students to formulate social and political
theories that go beyond the linear statistical model.
- Environmental Destruction as a Consequence of Democratic Governance
— It is obvious why authoritarian governments tend to ruin the
environment. But do you ever wonder why democratic governments often
can't get their act together either with respect to protecting the environment?
Modern democracies hold periodic elections. The leadership changes that
result from these elections act as an ideologically-conditioned forced
oscillator in any long-term process of regulating or protecting the
environment. This electorally-based forced oscillator encourages destabilizing
and destructive consequences to the environment. In this talk, I present
a model of this process, and argue that structural changes in contemporary
forms of democratic governance combined with massive efforts to raise
the level of public scientific literacy with respect to the environment
may be required in order to prevent or reduce environmental decay.
Futurist and Fun Topics
- Science Fiction and Society — It has long been
known that science fiction often predicts scientific and technological
development far into the future. But subtle and important commentaries
about the development of human politics and society have also been made
by many science fiction writers. Science fiction does not simply predict
the end of the world! Here I outline the social and political theories
of a number of important science fiction writers, and I explain why
their ideas are crucially relevant to us today.
- Politics and Music — Most people are aware
that political songs exist. But few are aware of the tremendous scope
and diversity of political music as it has evolved over the past few
hundred years. In this topic I explain the subject of political musicology,
and I trace the development of political music from the time of Beethoven
to the present.
|