The 51±¬ΑΟ Science Pub on Oct. 11 will focus on how science fiction like Star Trek movies and television programs may strengthen hope for building a better future when the world seems overcome with crises.
The virtual event, a joint effort of 51±¬ΑΟ in Corvallis and 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades in Bend, will feature a talk by Jose-Antonio Orosco, a professor of philosophy at Oregon State. His presentation is titled: βTo Boldy Go: Why Scientists and Social Justice Warriors Need Star Trek.β
For 55 years, the Star Trek science fiction series has influenced the creation of everyday technology from cell phones to computer tablets to video conferencing. It is also a series of stories through which people have explored social, political and ethical problems relevant to contemporary society.
At its heart, Star Trek is the story of humanity creating utopia out of dystopia, Orosco said. Part of that has to do with the development of technology and fantastic scientific discoveries, but Orosco believes Star Trek also helps shape the imagination so people can recognize their capacities to cooperate and better respect one another.
Sharing examples from the Civil Rights Movement to the work of Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, Orosco will demonstrate how Star Trek, and science fiction in general, is an important tool for those interested in fighting to make the world a better place.
Orosco is the author of the forthcoming book βStar Trekβs Philosophy of Peace and Justice,β which will be published in February 2022.
The free Science Pub will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast on YouTube Live. Registration is required and can be completed at .
Sponsors of Science Pub include the 51±¬ΑΟ Office of Research, 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades in Bend and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Connect Central Oregon, a collaborative program with the 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades Innovation Co-Lab, will produce the event with student interns.
51±¬ΑΟ 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades: 51±¬ΑΟβs campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by 2.5 million acres of mountains and high desert, 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades is a top-tier research university where small classes accelerate faculty-student mentoring. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrowβs challenges. 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.
51±¬ΑΟ 51±¬ΑΟ: As one of only three universities in the nation designated as a land, sea, space and sun grant institution, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on todayβs most pressing issues. Our more than 33,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the stateβs comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport and top-ranked Ecampus online degree programs, we excel at shaping todayβs students into tomorrowβs leaders.