Les Johnson
Stammtisch
Eyewitness Testimony
April 25, 2010
Dr. Jeffrey Neuschatz (UAH) will discuss his research on eyewitness identification and jailhouse informant testimony.The Future of Food
April 18, 2010
A discussion of the technology and key regulatory, legal, ethical, environmental and consumer issues surrounding the rapid changes happening in the food system today—genetically engineered foods, patenting, and the corporatization of food.Greenways
March 7, 2010
A general discussion of trails, greenways, and bike paths (and by extension, traffic flow) in the Huntsville and Madison area.
1. Should we prepare for or adopt a shared-use approach for our roads and paths, or should we advocate segregated pathways for non-automotive traffic?
2. Is the future economy driving us to make decisions now, or very soon?
3. Is there a medium/large city model that makes sense for us?
3. Pros and cons of public/government systems. Eminent domain, tax initiatives, restrictive easements, minimum specs and standards for future roads.Book Report Night
January 24, 2010
At our first meeting of 2010 we will discuss upcoming programs and interesting books we've recently read.Mens Brains: Women's Brains
September 13, 2009
The discussion group will watch Mark Gunger's video Mens Brains Women's Brains -- maybe we'll finally understand each other!
The Tea Party Movement
August 30, 2009
Christie Carden, coordinator of the North Alabama Tea Party Movement, will meet with the group to explain the purpose and status of "Tea Parties" in today's political arena.Health Care Reform
August 9, 2009
The group discussed the need and the proposed plans for health care reform.
Heaven on Earth - The Rise, Fall and Possible Rebirth of Socialism
We concluded our 3-part study of the PBS documentary, HEAVEN ON EARTH; led by David Harris reviewing and discussing the PBS mini-series based on the book of the same name by Joshua Muravchik.The Obama Presidency
January 18, 2009
The Stammtisch group held an open discussion of current events, focussing on the Obama presidency and its implications for the American economy.
Civil Liberties Issues in Alabama
January 11, 2009
The Stammtisch hosted a guest speaker from the Alabama Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who provided a great overview of the "civil liberties issues in Alabama today."
Understanding the Financial Crisis
November 16, 2008
Steve Dow and Les Johnson will lead a discussion on the origins and potential impacts of the current financial crisis.Green Energy
September 28, 2008
Robert Kennedy, an engineer and green energy consultant from Oak Ridge, TN will join the group to discuss the reality and myths of "green" solutions to our nation's energy problems. Robert is also an entrepreneur and the owner/founder of the Ultimax Group.Post Meeting Update
Robert's presentation was enthusiastically received and prompted a discussion that lasted until after 10:30 pm -- a new Stammtisch record! Below is a photo from the evening:
Book Report Night
September 7, 2008
Everyone should bring a copy of whatever book they're reading (or have recently read) and be prepared to give a "capsule summary" to the rest of the group. The book can be fiction or non-fiction.Post Meeting Update -- Some of the books discussed were:
- Babi Yar: A document in the form of a novel, A. Anatoli (Kuznetsov), Translated by David Floyd, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1970
- Cool It: The skeptical environmentalist's guide to global warming, Bjorn Lomborg, Knopf, 2007
- Devil May Care, Sebastien Faulks writing as Ian Fleming, Doubleday, 2008
- Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, Penguin, 1953/2006
- America Alone: The end of the world as we know it, Mark Steyn, Regnery, 2006
- Origins of the Bill of Rights by Leonard W. Levy
- Life at the Bottom: The Worldview That Makes the Underclass by Theodore Dalrymple
- 1632 by Eric Flint
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coeloho
- Man's search for meaning by Victor Frankl
- With a great master in India by Julian P. Johnson
- Sri Sarada Devi, the great wonder from Vedanta Press
- The fire within by Carlos Castenada
- Stranger in a strange land by Heinlien
- Re: Stammtisch This Sunday, September 7Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
- In Search of Reality by B. d'Espangnat
The History of the Conflict Between Science & Religion, Part 2
August 17, 2008
We will continue our discussion of the history and 'evolution' of the real and perceived conflicts between religion and science.The History of the Conflict Between Science & Religion, Part 1
May 4, 2008
The history and 'evolution' of the real and perceived conflicts between religion and science. The topic is motivated by the realization that Copernicus' promotion of the idea that Earth was not at the center of the motion of heavenly bodies did not directly result in a backlash from religious faiths. The implication is that conflict between faith and science is more complicated and as it turns out more distantly rooted in the past than might be thought.Plus 20 years worth of past programs
Unfortunately, we haven't been good at documenting our past programs...
Potential Upcoming Program
Speaker from the World Transhumanist Association (http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/index/)
Speaker from a local university to provide a "status of feminism"
The rise of internet barter economies -- and how they work in good economic times and bad
Time Travel — is time travel physically or logically possible?
Meaning of Life — what's the point of living? why are we here?
Creation vs. Evolution — are we descended from apes?
Artificial Intelligence — could a computer have a mind?
Life After Death — what is death and why should we fear it?
Extraterrestrial Life — are we alone in the universe?
Cultural Relativism — are moral values relative or absolute?
Ethical Dilemmas — how do we decide between right and wrong?
Social Justice — should the rich help the poor?
German; noun
"A table in a beer parlor reserved for a group of regulars taking part in social discussion; a group of people gathering at such a table"