ThoughtGallery.org > One Day University: Genius and Creativity

One Day University: Genius and Creativity

Genius9:30am–10:35am

Leonardo da Vinci: The Man Who Invented the Future
Bulent Atalay/University of Virginia

This extraordinary class is a multi-dimensional portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, unique in connecting Leonardo’s brilliance in mathematics and the sciences with his remarkable artistic talents. In many ways he was a poignantly tragic character, who, more than any other, invented the future, but did not influence it. We stand in awe of his accomplishments and at the same time feel frustrated that he did not complete more of his commissions. So many of the devices that he invented and so many of the natural laws that he discovered would not come to light until centuries later.

He invented entire fields of science hundreds of years before they were reinvented by future scientists: geology, physics, aeronautics, hydrodynamics, meteorology, physiology and more. Leonardo invented robotics a full five centuries before our age, when this technology has become an integral part of modern manufacturing. And he produced only a dozen paintings in his entire life, yet two of them are among the most famous works in the history of art.

10:50am–11:55am

Einstein: The Man Behind the Math
Matthew Stanley/New York University

Einstein’s name is synonymous with genius. His wild-haired, thoughtful-eyed face has become an icon of modern science. His ideas changed the way we see the universe, the meaning of truth, and the very limits of human knowledge. This course will examine how Einstein’s youthful philosophical questioning led to a revolution in science. We will discuss his creation of special and general relativity, and particularly how these epochal theories emerged from his seemingly simple questions about how we experience the world. His preference for easily visualizable thought experiments means we will be able to engage deeply with the science with very little mathematics. Einstein also pioneered quantum mechanics, only to reject its strange consequences and eventually devote his life to overturning it through a unified field theory.

Einstein’s elevation to worldwide fame was closely tied to political and social developments such as World War I, Zionism and the rise of the Nazis. As he became an incarnation of genius, people sought out his views on everything from world peace to the nature of God— and his opinions often had surprising links to his scientific work. The picture of Einstein we end up with is a figure somehow both revolutionary and deeply traditional, emblematic of the modern age and also profoundly uncomfortable with it.

12:10pm–1:15pm

Your Creative Brain: How to Maximize Imagination, Creativity and Innovation
Shelley Carson/Harvard University

This fascinating presentation reveals why creativity isn’t something only scientists and artists enjoy; in fact, all of us use our creative brains every day at home, work and play. Each of us has the ability to increase our mental functioning and creativity by learning to move flexibly among several brain states. The trick is in understanding networks that connect our brain’s “hot spots” for creative thought, and then developing the ability to “turn on” these networks. Each of us is stronger in some areas than others—some are great at brainstorming but weak in follow-through. Others experience creative block because they’re too critical or inhibited. And some people squelch their imaginations when they’re feeling low, rather than recognize that there is creative potential in a negative mood.

Professor Carson will discuss the latest findings in neuroscience using brain imaging and neuropsychological testing. She’ll lead the class through a variety of entertaining exercises, quizzes and problem sets designed to help us identify and temper our own most effective brainsets—and strengthen those that are lower-performing.

Thought Gallery readers can enjoy a 30% discount with the code here.











When: Sat., Sep. 26, 2015 at 9:30 am - 1:15 pm
Where: Symphony Space
2537 Broadway
212-864-1414
Price:
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Genius9:30am–10:35am

Leonardo da Vinci: The Man Who Invented the Future
Bulent Atalay/University of Virginia

This extraordinary class is a multi-dimensional portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, unique in connecting Leonardo’s brilliance in mathematics and the sciences with his remarkable artistic talents. In many ways he was a poignantly tragic character, who, more than any other, invented the future, but did not influence it. We stand in awe of his accomplishments and at the same time feel frustrated that he did not complete more of his commissions. So many of the devices that he invented and so many of the natural laws that he discovered would not come to light until centuries later.

He invented entire fields of science hundreds of years before they were reinvented by future scientists: geology, physics, aeronautics, hydrodynamics, meteorology, physiology and more. Leonardo invented robotics a full five centuries before our age, when this technology has become an integral part of modern manufacturing. And he produced only a dozen paintings in his entire life, yet two of them are among the most famous works in the history of art.

10:50am–11:55am

Einstein: The Man Behind the Math
Matthew Stanley/New York University

Einstein’s name is synonymous with genius. His wild-haired, thoughtful-eyed face has become an icon of modern science. His ideas changed the way we see the universe, the meaning of truth, and the very limits of human knowledge. This course will examine how Einstein’s youthful philosophical questioning led to a revolution in science. We will discuss his creation of special and general relativity, and particularly how these epochal theories emerged from his seemingly simple questions about how we experience the world. His preference for easily visualizable thought experiments means we will be able to engage deeply with the science with very little mathematics. Einstein also pioneered quantum mechanics, only to reject its strange consequences and eventually devote his life to overturning it through a unified field theory.

Einstein’s elevation to worldwide fame was closely tied to political and social developments such as World War I, Zionism and the rise of the Nazis. As he became an incarnation of genius, people sought out his views on everything from world peace to the nature of God— and his opinions often had surprising links to his scientific work. The picture of Einstein we end up with is a figure somehow both revolutionary and deeply traditional, emblematic of the modern age and also profoundly uncomfortable with it.

12:10pm–1:15pm

Your Creative Brain: How to Maximize Imagination, Creativity and Innovation
Shelley Carson/Harvard University

This fascinating presentation reveals why creativity isn’t something only scientists and artists enjoy; in fact, all of us use our creative brains every day at home, work and play. Each of us has the ability to increase our mental functioning and creativity by learning to move flexibly among several brain states. The trick is in understanding networks that connect our brain’s “hot spots” for creative thought, and then developing the ability to “turn on” these networks. Each of us is stronger in some areas than others—some are great at brainstorming but weak in follow-through. Others experience creative block because they’re too critical or inhibited. And some people squelch their imaginations when they’re feeling low, rather than recognize that there is creative potential in a negative mood.

Professor Carson will discuss the latest findings in neuroscience using brain imaging and neuropsychological testing. She’ll lead the class through a variety of entertaining exercises, quizzes and problem sets designed to help us identify and temper our own most effective brainsets—and strengthen those that are lower-performing.

Thought Gallery readers can enjoy a 30% discount with the code here.

Buy tickets/get more info now