Events
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomFor this meeting we are going to begin a discussion about distributive justice. First, we'll do an overview. Both the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy have articles on distributive justice. You can read either one or both of them for our next meeting. After that, we'll decide together what direction we want to go.…
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Annual Picnic
Cherokee Park Picnic Shelter Chippewa and Winona Streets, St. Paul, MNCome join us at the small picnic shelter in Cherokee Park in St. Paul's West Side neighborhood for our annual picnic. We will start gathering at 11:30 with serving beginning at 12:00. MISF will provide the plasticware, plates, drinks, grills, and electricity. You provide a dish to share and, optionally, any games you might like.…
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History Study Group
via ZoomHeading Southeast from our last book we travel to Burma. A place greatly influenced by natural disaster, colonial rule, fast-rising inequality, disintegrating state institutions, social media, China next door, climate change, and so much more. Join us as we learn how the 55 million residents look towards the future, by reading and discussing .The Hidden…
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Global Climate Summit in Egypt November 2022: The Role of Fresh Energy in the Push for Meeting the U.S. Commitment of 50% Reduction in Carbon Emissions
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419J. Drake Hamilton, Senior Director, Science Policy, Fresh Energy, will explain that President Biden, on November 1, 2021, was at the Global Climate Summit held in Glasgow, Scotland. To 40,000 people assembled there from 198 countries, Biden committed to reducing U.S. global warming emissions by 50% by the year 2030. She will discuss the factors…
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe are finishing the book, Chapters 6-9, The Hidden History of Burma: Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century, by ThantMyint-U. Burma, a place greatly influenced by natural disaster, colonial rule, fast-rising inequality, disintegrating state institutions, social media, China next door, climate change, and so much more. Join us as we learn how…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will discuss a paper by Nancy Fraser, “Social Movements vs. Disciplinary Bureaucracies: The Discourses of Social Needs” (1987) Center for Humanistic Studies Occasional Papers, Number 8, 3-37. For a copy of the paper, click here. Also, we are, actively looking for a good location to start in-person meetings again. If you know of a centrally located…
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Minnesota and the Ultra-Resistance
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Based on his 2018-2019 oral history project, “We Don’t Want You to Go Either,” Peter Simmons will talk about Minnesotans who, during 1967-1970, took part in raids on Selective Service offices (draft boards) in Minnesota and elsewhere, aiming to cripple the ability of the government to conscript young Americans into the military during the never…
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe will be discussing Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer. Of course you have heard about Cornelius Vanderbilt and his unbelievable wealth. However, there is a story about him you probably don't know. Have you heard of William Walker or the fight over Nicaragua? Join us…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will begin reading The Human Condition (1958) by Hannah Arendt. You can find a new paperback of this book for around $22 or an ebook for about $15. Since this is also one of Arendt's more popular and influential books there should be some used copies around. For the 9th we will read through Parts I…
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The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419The Great Depression New Deal-era program, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), has been recognized as the largest conservation program in U.S. history. Its Minnesota story is a fascinating one, involving young men from the state and from nearby states, young Black Minnesota citizens, and enrolled men from Minnesota’s Indian Reservations. Drawing on more than 100…
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History Study Group
via ZoomWhile we read many fantastic books, this was the first time in months where everyone was really looking forward to the rest of the book! We have seen Cornelius Vanderbilt amass great wealth and then go on vacation only to find himself being ousted by those he trusted. Now he has vowed to ruin them…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will continue our discussion of The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt by reading Parts III and IV. This is not a difficult book to read, but the arguments can be complex and even confusing. That, however, is no problem for us. We're as complex and confused as any group out there. Come and help us unravel…
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Philosophy Study Group – Rescheduled!
via ZoomWe will finish up our discussion of Hannah Arendt's The Human Condition, covering Parts V and VI, in which she discusses action and the modern age, drawing her final conclusions concerning where we are now and the human condition as she perceives it. Have you come to different conclusions or have another interpretation of the…
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Systems Change Not Climate Change
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419We can’t grow our way out of the problems such as climate change. That means neither growth nor “degrowth”. Malcolm X has said that a chicken cannot produce a duck egg. It’s not in its system. The problems lie within the bio/physical nature of the planet and the problems that have been precipitated by humans,…
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History Study Group
via ZoomBlood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West, by Hampton Sides We are finishing the book. So far we have met a wonderful assortment of characters. Navajo warrior Narbona, “The Army of the West,” Christopher “Kit” Carson, and a few others. Things are all lining up for the second half to be a great…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomFor this meeting, rather than a book or other reading, we are going to assign a topic. The topic is Punishment. Both this meeting and our one in March will be in conjunction with the monthly general meeting of the Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum on March 25 in which one of our members will present…
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“Traveling Without Aggravation” – How Victor H. Green Changed Travel for Black Americans: Green Book Locations in the Historic Rondo Community (1940 – 1956)
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Traveling without aggravation, especially with our families and young folk was never easy for Black people during the Jim Crowe Era and before the signing of Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Negro Motorist Green Book (Green Book) by Victor H Green helped Black people find safe and welcoming tourist homes (boarding homes), restaurants, and other businesses…
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History Study Group
via ZoomThe Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire (Stephen R. Bown). We are taking a different route this next book - we are heading up to Canada! The story of the Hudson's Bay Company, dramatic, adventurous and complex, is the story of modern Canada's creation. (So says Stephen Bown's website - so…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will read and discuss the Little Book of Restorative Justice (2015) by Howard Zehr. This is an inexpensive (less than $10), short book that we will cover in a single session. It is in conjunction with the following program on March 25, in which Jean Greenwood, one of our members, will give a presentation on restorative…
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RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Reweaving the Fabric of Community
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Restorative justice is a grassroots movement, growing out of the 70s, that offers an alternative perspective on crime and how crime is addressed. Though its origin lies in the modern criminal justice system, the paradigm and processes of restorative justice have ancient underpinnings, as well as relevance in other contexts. Restorative processes hold rich potential…
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History Study Group
via ZoomThe Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire Part 2 (Stephen R. Bown). We are taking a different route this next book - we are heading up to Canada! The story of the Hudson's Bay Company, dramatic and adventurous and complex, is the story of modern Canada's creation. (So says Stephen Bown's website…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will begin a discussion of the book When They Severed Earth from Sky: How the Human Mind Shapes Myth (2004) by Elizabeth Wayland Barber and Paul T. Barber. For the 12th we'll read the first ten chapters. This is a book about how myth operates in preliterate societies by taking advantage of aspects of the human mind…
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A Natural Curiosity: A History of the Bell Museum
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419From its humble beginnings as a one-room cabinet of scientific specimens, the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum has grown to be an important cultural institution with a new public museum on the St Paul Campus. In this illustrated talk, Luce will trace the museum’s evolution, and highlight a sample of its remarkable history of programs…
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History Study Group
via ZoomRichest Man Who Ever Lived: The Life and Times of Jacob Fugger (Greg Steinmetz).The story of a man with a fortune rivaling nearly two percent of European GDP. Not only did Jacob want to make money, he pursued new ways to make money - and had to sway the minds of very influential people to…
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Beyond “Jeg elsker dig”: A Program of Nordic Song
Mindekirken (The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church) 924 East 21st Street, MinneapolisA few songs by Edvard Grieg are known to the classical music public, and occasional songs by other composers (Sibelius, especially) might show up on concert programs, particularly when the singer is from Sweden or Finland (Sibelius, that patriotic Finn, wrote most of his songs to Swedish texts). But the great flowering of art song…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will conclude talking about myth and the mind as presented in the book When They Severed Earth from Sky: How the Human Mind Shapes Myth by Elizabeth Wayland Barber and Paul T. Barber. By reading this book and participating in our discussion, you will feel the spirit of Socrates spread over you and begin to…
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Poetry Day
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Evelyn D. Klein will read from her new book Fear and Promise, Remembering the Year 2020. She will discuss the notion of poet as historian, bringing in famous poets of the past. The book is a chrocicle of the year's events that impacted people's lives, yet despite the challenges, as she points out, it also moved us…
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe will be reading The Burgundians: A Vanished Empire (Bart Van Loo). It's the story of 1,111+ years of dynastic struggles in Northern Europe, including military campaigns, art, architecture, and music, and a few bad marriages! A massively popular book (not just the publisher says this) with highly positive reviews from thousands of people -…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomFirst, please note that this time is different than our usual second Wednesday of the month schedule. For this session, we will begin the book, The Case Against Reality: How Evolution Hid the Truth from our Eyes (2019) by Donald Hoffman. This book is available in paperback for less than $20 new and can be had…
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Dealing with Today’s Social Problems Using Systemic Tools Developed in the Medical Field (The Annual Rhoda Lewin Lecture)
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419In the early-1950's diagnosing medical conditions was greatly assisted by organizing the human body into 7 levels. This led some educational Institutions to begin naming their biological departments as "Life Sciences". Within these new departments there emerged areas referred to as Bio-Chemistry, Bio-Physics, and Bio-Math, followed by Bio-Medicine, Bio-Engineering, Bio-Metrics, and more. As all this…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will discuss chapters five through seven from the book, The Case Against Reality: How Evolution Hid the Truth from our Eyes, by Donald Hoffman. Just to be safe, we will do this virtually.
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe will be reading and discussing Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World (Adrian Goldsworthy) We are going back in time, to the 1st & 2nd centuries. We will be reading about the Roman Empire at its height, enjoying peace and prosperity. However, I think it safe to say it is not a…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will conclude our reading of The Case Against Reality: How Evolution Hid the Truth from our Eyes by Donald Hoffman. People have reacted very differently to the thesis that Hoffman presents in this book. Some think that he has opened an insight into reality that will revolutionize our study of physics and other areas of…
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Annual Picnic
Cherokee Park Picnic Shelter Chippewa and Winona Streets, St. Paul, MNThis is our annual summer picnic. MISF will provide the drinks, plasticware, and grills, and St. Paul Parks & Rec the electricity and more grills. You provide a dish to share and your best topics for good conversations.
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe will continue reading and discussing Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World (Adrian Goldsworthy). For this session we will finishing the book. We are going back in time, to the 1st & 2nd centuries. We will be reading about the Roman Empire at its height, enjoying peace and prosperity. However, I think it…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe are going to start reading a new book: Corruptible (2021) by Brian Klass. This book is about power and why those who abuse it so often have it. Does power really corrupt? Or is it that corrupt people seek power? Or is it because of badly designed systems? Whatever the conclusions are, this is the book that…
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Edward S. Curtis “The North American Indian” Photograph Exhibit
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419The nationally known Edward S. Curtis documented 80 Native American tribes in the Western United States back in the 1890's through 1920's, through photographs, recording their music, myths and religion, history, language, and life-styles. He grew up in Le Sueur County, Elysian and Cordova Townships. Because of his father's illness, Edward moved with his family…
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Philosophy Study Group
via ZoomWe will complete our discussion of the book Corruptible by Brian Klass. Note that this group will be meeting on the third Wednesday of the month rather than our usual second Wednesday. If this is not convenient for you, there's a possibility that it could be changed if offered enough Benjamins.
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Ranked Choice Voting: A Top Reform to Strengthen our Democracy
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Join the Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum to learn all about Ranked Choice Voting, a top reform to strengthen our democracy. Jeanne Massey, Executive Director of FairVote Minnesota and a national expert on ranked choice voting will discuss the increasing divisions and extremism in our politics, the corrosive effect it is having on our democracy and…
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History Study Group
via ZoomWe will be discussing The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience (2010) by Kirstin Downey I am quite excited about this book. I have to admit I have read the first chapter and am ready for more. A history book about a person few people have heard…