Designing Values-Based Human Systems

by Sean Aubin at Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience

People design systems for humans based on their conception of human nature. This has worked pretty well so far! But there’s a lot problems happening right now that can’t be addressed by these old ideas. We need a new, unifying idea of why people make choices. This is where Value-Based Human Systems comes in.

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Non-Euclidian Geometries and Art

by Sverrir Þorgeirsson at Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience

Euclidian geometry is generally how we think about space. You have a grid and the lines in a grid never intersect. But there’s tons of other versions of space, like the grid on a sphere where some lines do meet as they go to infinity. This is non-euclidian geometry and it offers interesting opportunities to create fascinating art.

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What is colour?

by Nat Smith at Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience

Why are there so many representations for colour? Why are some of the cylinders? Why is RGB and YMC both legit? Nat blows your mind into a billion colours.

Polyamory: Not for Everyone

by Sean Aubin at Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience, WAT

The “mono” in the word “monogamy” means having one romantic partner. Similarly, “poly” in the word “polyamory” means multiple romantic partners. It’s a VERY personal choice that many people make that basically boils down to eschewing cultural norms (with all the challenges that implies) in exchange for greater relationship freedom and versatility.

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Graphs Graphs Graphs

by Jack Gao at Christina’s House

A talk based on Edward Tufte’s book “The Visual Display of Quantitative Information”. In the history of graphs, some are exceptionally good at representing their information, others use trickery to mislead readers. Graphs should include a certain degree of context to fairly represent the big picture. You’ll be surprised at the range of information that graphs can effectively represent! (Train schedules, Napoleon army’s size and how it correlates to the temperature and the army’s proximity to Russia)

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How to Get Started with DJing

by Anastasia Sa at Christina’s House

An overview of the user interface of a DJ software that integrates with Spotify. The talk also demo-ed a real DJ mixer and how the buttons correspond to the different functions on the DJ software. DJs use the software and the mixer to edit tracks such that two overlapping tracks can sync to the same key and tempo. The software and mixer also allow for seamless transition from one song to the next.

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