Nerd Nite: The Science of Hangovers + Your Autonomic Nervous System + The Evolution of the Music Video

Nerd Nite kicks off the new year with three funny-yet-smart presentations that have no theme whatsoever. Hooray!

*Presentation #1

The Science of the Hangover

by Paula Croxson, Ph.D., Neuroscientist

Description:  Alcohol! Good fun, ice breaker, or worst enemy? For neuroscientist Paula Croxson, it’s definitely her worst enemy. She has hangovers that are unparalleled in their awfulness, and she got to wondering why. Come and find out as she explores the science of the hangover. Will she give you the answer to hangover-free drinking? Only one way to find out…

Bio: Paula Croxson is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she researches the brain mechanisms and chemicals that are responsible for memory, particularly the complex, autobiographical life memories that are damaged in Alzheimer’s disease. When she is not doing science, she plays the flute for the alternative rock band Marlowe Grey and neuroscience-based rock band Pavlov’s Dogz.

*Presentation #2

The Polyvagal Theory: Your Autonomic Nervous System And How It Allows Us To Read Minds, Fight Trauma, Charm Strangers, and Turn On Your Beast Mode

by Seth Porges

Description: What is trauma exactly? Or the ever-elusive concept known as the “flow state”? And why do some people just flat-out creep us out? It can all be explained by the autonomic nervous system—our body’s autopilot that keeps our heart beating, our lungs breathing, and our gut digesting; without us even thinking about it. The Polyvagal Theory is a new understanding of how our nervous system works, and explains everything from trauma, to the very essence of social behavior; while shedding light on possible treatments for autism and trauma. You’ll never think of your body and brain the same way again.

Bio: Seth Porges appears on numerous TV shows on the Travel, Science, Discovery, History, and National Geographic channels. He also contributes to Bloomberg Business, Instyle, Forbes, New York mag, and Departures, amongst others. He holds the world record for most Nerd Nite talks ever given. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sethporges

*Presentation #3

The Evolution of the Music Video, from the Dawn of Man thru 1993

by Stephen Pitalo, music video historian

Description: Remember when MTV ruled the world? Enjoy this presentation on how music videos grew from simple performance clips into an essential 80s marketing tool, evolving into the unique art form we know today. His talk follows the growth of this filmmaking phenomenon along a timeline from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1976 to Guns N’ Roses “Estranged” in 1993.

Bio: Stephen Pitalo is the world’s leading authority on the The Golden Age of Music Video (1976-1993), mining inside stories from interviews with more than 70 music video directors and countless artists of the pre-internet music era for his blog GoldenAgeOfMusicVideo.com. He also produces throwback events under the banner Music Video Time Machine, including Rough Trade NYC’s Pretty In Pink 30th Anniversary Dance Party, Dance Music Sex Romance: A Prince Tribute, and the Scream 20th Anniversary Halloween Party.

Trivia+Presentations: 7pm (doors at 6:20pm)  – $14  BUY TICKETS HERE.

Presentations-only:  8:45pm (doors at 8:30pm) – $10  BUY TICKETS HERE.