25 February -  David Brin Independent Scholar & Author Tolerance, Aggression and Threat Horizons
How and When Do Humans Learn to Get Along?     Why do levels of tolerance for other people and other ideas vary so from culture to culture? What determines whether a person considers killing another person 'murder'?  These days, the issue of xenophobia and ethnocentrism seems paramount.  Are these basic human traits or determined by training?
    Below the superficialities of culture and ideology run measurable parameters like satiability and fear. Simple but unexplored avenues of research may offer opportunities to shed light on this critical subject -- one in which we all have a stake, as the future rushes toward us at full speed.
    Scientist, futurist and author David Brin promises to pose far more provocative questions than answers in a seminar that will explore the roots of empathy and violence.