Start the new year with something smart, Nerd Nite. The first Nerd Nite San Diego of 2017 takes place Tuesday at Liberty Public Market.
Nerd Nite started back in 2003 in Boston and eventually spread to around the globe. There are now more than 90 cities worldwide that hold monthly Nerd Nite events. The idea behind Nerd Nite is to encourage learning in a fun environment.
According to the national Nerd Nite website: “Folks give 18-21-minute fun, yet informative presentations across all disciplines while the audience drinks along. There are often bands, acrobats, trivia, and other shenanigans as well. Imagine learning about everything from math feuds or the science of the Simpsons, to the genealogy of Godzilla or zombie insects, while having a few or a few too many.”
The organization encourages people to start Nerd Nites in their own city but points out that, “There are some rules and guidelines, so it’s not a slam dunk.”
Lauren Chen has started one in San Diego, and this Tuesday night's event will be the fifth Nerd Nite San Diego .
“Nerd Nite is a monthly event at which nerdy and nerd-curious San Diegans get together for presentations, food, drinks and trivia. They are like Ted Talks with a little more cheek and a lot more beer,” Chen said.
“This month we have talks on the medicinal uses of insects, the future or lack thereof of the California Condor, and transcendental numbers and the very concept of infinity itself,” she added.
Michael Wall, Curator of Entomology at theNAT, has proven how entertaining he can make science at film screenings he has hosted at the museum. For Tuesday’s event his topic will be "Breaking Bug: Insects as Drug Lords, Pharmacists, and Addicts.”
“It is not happenstance that a '70s blaxploitation drama about the drug underworld was titled ‘Super Fly,’" he said. "Insects have been in the drug game for over 400 million years. They have been doing drugs, being drugs, or pushing plants to make drugs. The seedy underworld of the original Pusherman had six legs and compound eyes, while other insects went legit. In other words, we’re going to have fun talking about the medicinal use of insects and their role in the evolution in recreational and medicinal drugs.”
Nerd Nite takes place this Tuesday night at Liberty Public Market. More information is available on the Facebook page Nerd Nite San Diego. Be there and be square.
You can purchase tickets online here.
