First blinkBL-NK Event @ Hackerspace SG

blinkBL-NK is a space where regular people share their expertise about fascinating subjects in a social environment. Their events are built around 15 – 20 minute talks on subjects ranging from cutting-edge issues in technology and business to quirky histories, weird science and enriching cultural experiences. Speakers may be leading experts, distinguished hobbyists or simply great story tellers. Interludes between talks are spiced up by carefully curated musical selections.

Their first event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 24th starting at 7:00 PM in Hackerspace SG. Detailed event information can be found below. For additional info, you can check out their website, Twitter feed or Facebook page.
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EVENT DETAILS

When: Wednesday, 24th Feb
Where: hackerspace.sg, 70A Bussorah Street.
What Time: Pre-talk mingling @ 7:00 PM, First speaker @ 7:30 PM

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TALK SUMMARIES

Talk 1: Of Mice and Men (and Ants and Fish): Learning About Human Brains by Studying Animals
by Ajay Mathuru

Description: Attempts to understand the human brain have had a long and rich history. In recent times, neuroscientists have begun to explore simpler brains as a way to build up to complexity, akin to reverse engineering. Remarkably, simple wiring doesn’t appear limiting to generate complex behavior and emotions normally associated with higher order processing, such as empathy, altruism and building complex social strata. So, fish may not be just food and ants may be much more than bugs!

Speaker Bio: Ajay dabbled in genetics and micro-biology before pursuing a doctorate in neuroscience at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bangalore, India. His current work at the Neuroscience Research Partnership, A-STAR focuses on understanding the connection between neural circuits and behavior.

Talk 2: Like Ball Golf but Better: A Short History of Disc Golf
by Luke Johnson

Description: It’s been forty years since someone replaced balls with frisbees (technically, flying discs) and holes with metal baskets to make a sport that’s just as fun as ball golf but without the expense, land requirements and bad pants. After years of impressive growth, disc golf now boasts 6,000 courses world wide, a professional tour, and a rabid base of players. There’s even a course right here in Singapore, hand crafted by tonight’s speaker on the grounds of a former cemetery!

Speaker Bio: Luke is an American journalist who has lived in Canada, China and now Singapore, where he crafts stories for the Foreign Desk at the Straits Times. In his spare time he writes about politics, sports and other international obsessions for various publications and on his blog.

Talk 3: How to Live Forever: Ancestor Worship in the Modern Age
by Chew Lin Kay

Description: Rituals and traditions adapt as our surroundings and circumstances change. And yet, lucky numbers notwithstanding, Singaporean Chinese customs surrounding the internment and interaction with ancestors remain resolutely one-way. What will tomorrow’s columbaria look like in an age of web-cams, webs sites, miniaturised technology and whatever comes next? And how will these technologies affect our understanding of death, ancestor propitiation and the nature of personal legacy?

Speaker Bio: Chew Lin is an intellectual magpie and lover of stimulating conversation. Her specific interests include chocolate, heritage and inter-faith dialoging.