• May 2
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• Yakima

The Ancient Fruitcake: What Really, Really Old Food Tells Us about History, Culture, Love, and Memory

This talk is not about the old leftovers in the fridge. It is about food that is so old, so unusual, or so meaningful, that no one dares throw it away. Discover the foods archeologists have found buried with mummies, the petrified banana so appealing it sparked a Banana Museum, the 350-year-old fruitcake handed down […]

• May 2
• |
• Seattle

H2OMG! Making Sense of Water Scarcity in an Insecure World

It feels like not a day goes by without a story in the news that relates to some water issue. Whether it’s lead in schools, drought in California, or dwindling snowpack in Washington, water scarcity is a challenge that needs our attention—now. In this talk led by economist and former Gates Foundation policy maker Rachel […]

• May 2
• |
• Tukwila

Feminism and Popular Culture

Over the past few years, the question “Are you a feminist?” has become the new litmus test for young female celebrities. Their responses—which vary from Lady Gaga’s “I’m not a feminist. I hail men, I love men,” to Madonna’s “I’m not a feminist, I’m a humanist”—indicate a lack of clarity on what the term means, […]

• May 2
• |
• Colfax

The Good Game: On the Moral Value of Sports

Sports are far more than a game—they have a tremendous impact on our culture, and lay claim to playing an important role in developing moral values like courage, teamwork, and sacrifice. Join philosopher Mike VanQuickenborne for a deeper exploration of our obsession with sports. What makes something a sport? Is competition more helpful or harmful? […]