Schmoozing about Milestones
June 14, 2026
Hello again Fans of Science!
Before we get into the news this week, a few housekeeping items:
Lick Observatory, one of the South Bay’s hidden gems, sustained substantial damage during the winter when winds as high as 114 mph tore much of the roof off of the dome over Christmas, 2025. Recovery work has been ongoing, and the Observatory is happy to announce that a modified summer program schedule is happening. Usually, Lick holds talks and concerts on select weekend nights that include viewing through both the 140+ year old, 36 “ Great Refractor and the Shane Reflector telescope. While the Great Refractor was not damaged, it is out of commission as construction continues on the dome. So instead of the usual program, Lick Observatory is offering behind-the-scenes tours on most weekends this summer. While most of these events are already sold out, tickets remain for two nights, Sunday 8/16 and Friday, 9/25. These two dates will sell out quickly, so get yours now if you want to go.
We monitor a large number of websites for various organizations around the area to gather our calendar listings. We use several tools to gather this information. From time to time, organizations change schedules that the tools don’t catch, or we list something incorrectly. We assume that, unless specifically stated otherwise, events are open to the public. A few weeks ago I was reminded that some events restrict audiences when one of our readers tried to go to a talk at SLAC and was turned away. Apparently, SLAC Colloquium events are not open to the public, and we’ll endeavor not to list them in the future. Their website is silent on this, however. We strongly recommend that you click through from our listings to the linked website to verify the event is actually happening before you head out to attend. Many include contact information should you have questions. We don’t sponsor or conduct events ourselves, with very rare exceptions.
Milestones
This is a year of many milestones, both personally, and for our nation.
July 4th marks the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, or the 250th anniversary. Semiquincentennial is a mouthful. I saw it called the quarter-millenium, which is much easier to say and remember. I got the idea to schmooze on this topic while reading about preparations for the American Freedom Train for the bicentenial in 1976. This special train visited all 48 contiguous states pulled by three historic steam locomotives. Here in the western states, ex-Southern Pacific 4449 lead the train. More than 7 million visitors walked through the exhibit cars as it toured around the country.
Unfortunately, no such train is running for the 250th due to lack of financial backing and logistical hurdles. The Union Pacific railroad has been running the world’s largest steam locomotive around their system, UP 4014, a type known as the Big Boy. 4014 was originally retired in 1961 and put on display in Pomona, CA. In 2013, The UP relocated it to their shops in Cheyenne, WY where they finished restoring it to operation in 2019. Seven other Big Boys (from the original 25) remain on display in various locations around the US.
The stated reason for the tour this year is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The transcon, as it is known, opened the West to settlement, expanding the United States to the Pacific Ocean. Goods manufactured in the east could now be moved westward by train. People too! Prior to this, horse-drawn wagons did the job.
There’s another, less obvious reason; The UP is awaiting approval of a merger with Norfolk Southern, one of two major east coast railroads, and the tour includes visits to much of the NS, including a stop in Philadelphia over Independence Day weekend, as well as runs around famous Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, PA. It marks the first time this locomotive has returned east of the Mississippi since it was built. The spectacle is meant to generate positive support for the merger.
All this got me wondering why we celebrate certain milestones more than others? A little research shows that these are natural markers in life, points by which we measure the passage of events.
For me, this year is also quite significant. I have volunteered at a professional golf tournament in Akron, OH for much of my life, and this July marks my 50th time. It will most likely be my last as the tournament organization has announced it will be the last year for the tournament. While they are looking to replace the current event with something else, it is unlikely that will happen without breaking the streak of 73 consecutive years of professional tournament golf at Firestone Country Club. Only Augusta National (home of the Masters) and Pebble Beach have longer streaks. I hadn’t decided if this would be my last year or not, but the powers that be have made up my mind for me. Each year, no matter how chaotic, for this one particular week I know where I’m supposed to be what I’m supposed to do. It has been an anchor in a sea of constant change.
It is also my 25th anniversary of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity here in the Bay Area. I’ve lost count of the number of homes I’ve helped to build, but it is well over 200 and is the most significant, meaningful thing I’ve done in my life.
The convergence of these milestones seems to be telling me to pay attention and be open to a new life phase. I don’t know what that will look like yet, but I feel good about it.
Scientific Method
One of our recurring topics here is scientific communication…how to clearly and understandably communicate science to the public. We’re horrible at it. In the current environment, where social media has become the source of news and “facts” for most people, anyone with a camera and a phone or computer can become an “expert” and make statements others will believe due to their lack of scientific education.
I vividly remember starting high school science classes. The very first thing we learned was the Scientific Method and why it was important. Dr. Jessica Knurick recently published this explanation of the Scientific Method on Instagram, and it should be required listening for everyone. As a registered dietary nutritionist, she is fighting misinformation about nutrition and public health. There’s a lot to fight. Here she talks about cuts to WIC fruit and vegetable benefits (a program providing nutrition support to pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children), the business behind Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs), changes to the recommended vaccine schedule being pushed by RFK Jr., why Medicaid work requirements sound good, but don’t actually work, and the dismantling of the Ocean’s Early Warning System (more on this later). She also looks at why the fallacy behind the USDAs boasts about removing 4.3 million people off the SNAP program.
Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, also has some thoughts on how to debunk bad science (this link may only get you a part of the article as it is part of his subscription tier).
The Environment
El Nino is here. It has the potential to be the strongest one since 1950.
Much of the weather in the world is driven by ocean temperature and currents. For years, the US has monitored ocean conditions in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to help predict climate changes. This system was put in place 10 years ago, and the Administration is now removing the observation hardware. When asked why, a spokesman for the National Science foundation said it “aligns with N.S.F.’s wider strategy to have a nimbler approach to prioritizing support for evolving scientific priorities and emerging technologies as well as a deliberate approach to smart life cycle management within its portfolio of research infrastructure.” That’s bureaucratic double speak for sticking the organization’s head in the sand. If they discontinue data collection, they can honestly say there’s no data to support climate change.
Fortunately, Europe is stepping into the void, pledging they will invest more in their version, saying it is a “necessity”.
National Science Foundation
Another part of the National Science foundation dealing with social, behavioral, and economic sciences is also on the cutting block. Repeating what has now become a playbook for the Administration, 22 members of NSF’s board were fired. This board must approve any major change at the agency. So far, the board has not been replaced, so no changes can take place…yet. Read here what might be lost if Congress goes along with this cut request…so far they have resisted such cuts.
How big?
Just how big is Space? The actual sizes are so huge that we can’t really easily comprehend them. Once again, Phil Plait has come up with a way to make this more understandable (kinda, as he says), using the Astronomical Unit.
Artificial Intelligence
Elon Musk’s company SpaceX went public this week. It is the largest initial public offering ever, by far, and has made Musk a trillionaire, on paper at least. His AI company, xAI, is part of SpaceX.
Here are seven ways we’re trusting AI too much, and what it is costing us.
All that AI consumes vast computing resources, and could soon use 3% of the world’s electricity, and more water than we need to drink!
One of the latest trend in the corporate suite is executives creating AI Agents of themselves that employees can query. A digital doppelganger. What can possibly go wrong? “Why did you fire me? Your AI said it was ok to proceed with my idea!”
Have a great week in Science!
Bob
Upcoming Events:
Click to see the next two weeks of events in your browser.
Monday, 06/15/2026
Designing for Today’s Digital World - 06/15/2026 06:00 PM
UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus Santa Clara
In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, organizations need professionals who can combine empathy, usability, and aesthetics to create interfaces that engage and delight users. Learn how UX and web design specialists use research - driven methods, prototyping tools, and inclusive design principles to build seamless digital experiences across platforms.
Speaker: Nicole Sharratt, UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension Uwer Experience & Web Design Program
Register at weblink
Tuesday, 06/16/2026
Popping the Science Bubble: Neanderthal DNA & Plasmonic nanoparticles - 06/16/2026 05:30 PM
Berkeley Public Library Berkeley
Learn about cutting-edge research happening at UC Berkeley, directly from the scientists themselves. Join Popping the Science Bubble in the fifth floor Art & Music hall or join us virtually on Zoom: http://bit.ly/PtSBBerkeley (register at the link).
This month’s presentations will be:
Ancient DNA from our human ancestors: Genetic secrets of the Neanderthals - Sophie Joseph, Molecular & Cell Biology
How plasmonic nanoparticles use light to break chemical bonds - Abigail Derrico, Physics
How to Train Yourself to Think More Creatively - SOLD OUT - 06/16/2026 07:00 PM
Donkey & Goat Winery Berkeley
Creativity is often treated like a mysterious talent that some people naturally possess and others don’t. But research in innovation and entrepreneurship suggests that generating original ideas is less about sudden inspiration - and more about learning how to think under uncertainty.
In this interactive lecture, Johnathan Cromwell, Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco and Faculty Director of the Entrepreneurship for All Initiative, guides attendees through a series of creative exercises designed to stretch the mind in unexpected ways.
Through hands-on activities and real-world innovation frameworks, this talk explores how new ideas are generated, why ambiguity is essential for creativity, and how anyone can strengthen their ability to think entrepreneurially. By the end of the night, attendees will leave with new tools for creative problem-solving - and a personalized “creative thinking profile” that reveals how they approach innovation.
Speaker: Johnathan Cromwell, UC Berkeley
Wednesday, 06/17/2026
A Life Living Atop Others: Investigating Patterns of Diet and Reproduction for a Newly Identified Sabellid at Hydrocarbon Methane Seeps - 06/17/2026 11:00 AM
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Moss Landing
Epibionts, animals that live attached to and on top of living hosts species, are widely observed in marine communities at most latitudes and depths around the world. Despite this commonality, many of these animals and the roles they play within their habitats are understudied. I examined a new species of sabellid feather duster worm, Seepicola viridiplumi, facultatively living atop Acesta file clams at three methane seep systems within the Gulf of Mexico. Using a combination of genetic sequencing, stable isotopes, and paraffin histology, I sought to examine how epibiotic life impacted the trophic ecology, associated microbial community, and reproduction of the sabellid. While all individuals appeared to rely on both chemosynthetic and photosynthetic sources of nutrition, evidence of dietary differences was observed in epibiotic individuals. Additionally, epibiotic individuals consistently had slight increases in egg sizes and fecundity. These findings reveal the potential importance of small-scale spatial changes within seep ecosystems on the biology of epibionts, while simultaneously providing insight into the ecological roles sabellids play in chemosynthetic systems.
Speaker: Lauren Rice, Florida State University
Attend in person or online (See weblink)
UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory Seminar Series - CANCELED - 06/17/2026 03:00 PM
UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory
Speaker: Sheila Semans, Executive Director, Noyo Center for Marine Science
Opening Reception: Along the Pacific Edge - 06/17/2026 05:00 PM
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Pacific Grove
The Museum will be open for a meet and greet with Photographer Jason Bradley! This is also the opening day for his exhibition, Along the Pacific Edge on view until September 14th. Stop by the Museum and enjoy a nice evening with light snacks and drinks and a chance to meet Jason.
The Many-faceted Role of Water in Planetary Habitability - 06/17/2026 07:00 PM
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers San Francisco
Water is everywhere. It’s two elements are the first and third most abundant elements in the universe. It is made in abundance in many environments and finds its way into planets of all shapes and sizes, where it modifies the properties of everything it touches. Water is crucial to life, both as a habitat and as a solvent. But it also has many other roles in the evolution of habitable and uninhabitable environments on a planetary scale. In this talk, Dr. Schaefer will discuss the ways in which Earth acquired its water, how water modifies the evolution and habitability of the Earth, and how the habitability of rocky exoplanets may differ.
Speaker: Laura Schaefer, Stanford University
Nutrition Beyond Restriction: The Importance of Pleasure in Long-Term Health - SOLD OUT - 06/17/2026 07:00 PM
Mr. Mahjong’s San Francisco
Modern nutrition advice often focuses on restriction, optimization, and biological metrics. But emerging research suggests that the experience of eating, including taste, enjoyment, ritual, and satisfaction, may play a much larger role in long-term health than many people realize.
In this lecture, Johnna Rey Hartenstine, Registered Dietitian, Certified Sommelier, and nutrition researcher, explores the intersection of nutrition science and sensory experience. Drawing from her background in molecular biology and years spent inside some of Napa Valley’s most exclusive wine estates, she examines why even people with unlimited access to “the best” food and wine still struggle to understand what truly nourishes them.
Blending nutrition science, psychology, and sensory experience, this talk explores why pleasure may not be separate from health at all, but part of the mechanism that helps sustain it.
See weblink for additional information about this evening’s talk
Speaker: Johnna Hartenstine, Dietitian and Sommelier
Thursday, 06/18/2026
Stewardship Thursday: Experiencing Fish Kitchen - 06/18/2026 11:30 AM
Marine Mammal Center Sausalito
This free program for high school students features rotating events along our 600-mile range exploring various realms of conservation.
Join The Marine Mammal Center for an exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunity where you will have the chance to support our hard-working volunteer crews. We will be preparing food for our marine mammal patients and upkeeping kitchen sanitization tasks, allowing you a glimpse into what it is like to be one of our committed animal care volunteers. Our hope is that you leave this event with an increased understanding of patient needs, and some goals for what you can do to support our ocean.
Big Technology AI Summit - 06/18/2026 01:00 PM
Commonwealth Club San Francisco
Join OpenAI co-founder and President Greg Brockman, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, and several high-profile AI speakers for a day of news-making Big Technology interviews, live at Commonwealth Club World Affairs. The program will include a series of live interviews hosted by Alex Kantrowitz, host of “Big Technology” Podcast.
Box CEO Aaron Levie, Wired correspondent Lauren Goode, and others are all also slated to join on stage.
“Big Technology” is the podcast AI leaders listen to, registering millions of downloads annually. Kantrowitz has interviewed AI’s top CEOs, including Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei, and Yann LeCun. He’s also an on-air contributor at CNBC and the author of Always Day One: How The Tech Titans Plan To Stay On Top Forever.
Unapologetic Deliciousness: Separating Nutrition Science from Nutrition Noise - 06/18/2026 05:30 PM
Commonwealth Club San Francisco
With so many conflicting and contradictory nutrition claims dominating headlines and social media, deciding what to eat has become unnecessarily complicated. Stanford nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., has spent more than three decades conducting evidence-based research to bring clarity to the conversation.
In this program, Gardner shares what decades of human nutrition trials reveal about where true scientific consensus exists, and where it does not. From his landmark “A to Z” and “DIETFITS” studies to ongoing research on plant-rich alternatives, ketogenic diets, the gut microbiome, and inflammation, Gardner has worked to move the field beyond diet myths and toward practical, evidence-based guidance.
At the center of his message is a powerful idea: healthy eating can be “unapologetically delicious,” built around whole, minimally processed, plant-rich foods aligned with personal values around culture, sustainability and social responsibility.
He will address pressing questions about different diets, cholesterol, seed oils, ultra-processed foods, protein, plant-based meats, fiber, fermented foods and more, offering a framework that helps individuals make informed, flexible, and lasting food choices.
This conversation invites us to reconsider not only what we eat, but how we think about food: as nourishment, pleasure, culture and a powerful tool for long-term personal and planetary health.
Speaker: Christopher Gardner, Stanford University
After Dark: Unplug and Play - 06/18/2026 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Find your community at After Dark: play science trivia, laugh out loud, and connect deeply.
Ages 18+
kNightLife: Renaissance Faire - 06/18/2026 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco
Raise a goblet, don thy finest garb, and make haste: A night of revelry and merriment awaits thee at California Academy of Sciences. Gather yer crewe and step back into ye olde good times, featuring dance lessons, live performances, hands-on crafts, local artisans, and more. Dressing up is part of the fun - costumes* are celebrated and highly encouraged!
Birdy Hour: What the Birds Taught Us - Photography to Purpose - Livestream - 06/18/2026 06:00 PM
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
What starts as a shared love for nature and birds between a mom and her son becomes something much bigger. In this special Birdy Hour presentation, Aayush and his mom will share their journey into bird photography, the stories behind some of their favorite moments outdoors, and why they believe nature is one of the greatest gifts we have. In this talk Aayush will share how time spent in nature with his mom taught him lessons about patience, connection, and protecting the world around us. This is a story about family, purpose, and how small actions can create meaningful change for birds, wildlife, and the community around us.
Speakers: Aayush and Suchita Gunari, wildlife photographers
Register at weblink
The Color of Care: Race and Bias in Modern Medicine - 06/18/2026 07:00 PM
Decentered Arts Studio San Francisco
For years, hospitals across the United States have quietly used race-based adjustments in medical calculations, influencing everything from kidney transplant eligibility to lung function assessments and childbirth risk. These formulas were built on outdated assumptions about biological differences between races, yet they continue to shape who gets treated, believed, and prioritized in the healthcare system.
In this lecture, Dr. Jennifer Tsai, emergency medicine physician and UC Berkeley public health educator, explores how race-based medical algorithms became embedded in modern healthcare and why many experts are now fighting to remove them.
Through real-world examples, she examines how a single number can delay treatment for Black patients, how bias becomes hidden inside “objective” medical tools, and what happens when we begin questioning the systems behind life-and-death decisions.
Speaker: Jennifer Tsai, Physician
Brain Rot: The Psychology of Attention in a Digital World - SOLD OUT - 06/18/2026 07:00 PM
Planted SF San Francisco
Speaker: Sarah Shepherd, UC Berkeley
The Changing Chorus: 50 Years of Bay Area Birds - What the Data Tell Us - Livestream - 06/18/2026 07:00 PM
Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Join GGBA Board Member Kenneth Hillan and Conservation Director Whitney Grover as they present a synthesis of long-term San Francisco Bay Area bird population trends, discuss what these changes mean for the future of Bay Area conservation, and introduce Bird Pulse, a tool that will allow birders to contribute directly protecting the birds of our region. We will also be joined by Matt Zlatunich and Jeff Manker, members of our San Francisco and East Bay Conservation Committees who produced county specific Bird Species of Species Concern documents. We’ll tie all these tools together and discuss how this work can translate into effective conservation action to bend the curve for Bay Area birds.
Friday, 06/19/2026
Juneteenth: The Art of Innovation & The Conserved Legacy - 06/19/2026 04:00 PM
San José Museum of Art San JoseHonoring the Past, Engineering the Future
Celebrate Juneteenth, Benny Andrews and the legacy of Black Americans’ historical contributions to the arts and sciences. The program, emceed by Professor Eros, will include a Mentorship Lounge, ArtTech Playground & Game Zone, African drumming and interactive spoken word, live DJ, networking, socializing, and resource tabling.
Saturday, 06/20/2026
TECHFEST Maker’s Lab - 06/20/2026 10:00 AM
Computer History Museum Mountain View
On June 20, CHM explores how inventors, makers, and artists use groundbreaking technology to expand the boundaries of creativity and imagination. Like all of CHM’s all-day TechFest events, Maker’s Lab features special activities and hands-on experiences for all ages, included with Museum admission.
What You’ll Experience:Meet and interact with a dancing robot created by a local inventorTry your hand at soldering circuit boards alongside makers from Maker NexusDesign your own 3D models using TinkercadImmerse yourself in experimental computer music by Stanford CCRMA studentsWatch 3D printers from JinxBot in action and discover how they’re transforming how we invent and createAnd more!
Family Nature Adventures: Birds - 06/20/2026 10:30 AM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland
This Months Theme: Bird Watching - Discover Local Feathered Friends!
Take flight into the fascinating world of birds!
Interactive Workshop: Learn how to identify local birds by their unique appearances and calls. Gain tips and tricks for becoming a skilled birdwatcher.
Guided Bird Watching Walk: Bring your own binoculars or use our child-sized pairs as you embark on a forest stroll, spotting and observing birds in their natural habitat.
Connect with nature and uncover the beauty of the avian world on this fun and educational adventure. Adventure awaits-don’t miss it!
Editor’s Note: This event was originally listed for June 13, 2026.
Summer Solstice Sunset Walk - 06/20/2026 04:00 PM
Bouverie Preserve Glen Ellen
End your day immersed in the subtle beauty of twilight and experience Bouverie Preserve in a way few people do - at the edge of night.
As daylight softens and the landscape begins to shift, join us for a peaceful sunset walk during crepuscular hours at Bouverie Preserve. This in-between time - when day turns to night - is one of the most dynamic moments in the natural world as birds settle in, insects emerge, and mammals begin to stir.
We’ll walk slowly through oak woodland and riparian habitats, attuning our senses to changing light, sounds, and movement. Along the way, we’ll explore what crepuscular means and why many species - from deer and coyotes to owls and bats - are most active at dawn and dusk. Expect moments of quiet observation, reflection, and shared noticing as the preserve transitions into evening.
This walk is welcoming to all experience levels and is less about covering distance and more about slowing down and observing. Together, we’ll welcome summer on the eve of the solstice, where we will close by sharing our intentions for the next seasonal chapter.
End your day immersed in the subtle beauty of twilight and experience Bouverie Preserve in a way few people do - at the edge of night, when the land comes alive in new ways.
Register at weblink
Twilight Marsh Walk - 06/20/2026 06:45 PM
Don Edwards Refuge Headquarters & Visitors Center Fremont
Take a relaxing walk in an area that often has striking sunsets while learning about the Don Edwards SF Bay Refuge.
Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easy stroll along refuge trails (about 0.6 miles). You will learn about the habitats at the refuge, the wildlife it protects, why the refuge was established and why it is just as important for us. This program is led by USFWS volunteer Mary Bobik. Meet outside the Visitor Center.
Register at weblink
Sunday, 06/21/2026
Mushroom Art Fair ‘26 - 06/21/2026 10:00 AM
Sebastopol Grange Sebastopol
Welcome to the first annual Mushroom Art Fair, hosted by SOMA - Sonoma Mycological Association. This will be a fun, kid friendly event with local mushroom art, hands on activities and workshops, food and more! Our keynote presenter, Wilder Herbertson will be talking about mushroom dyes and where to find the mushrooms you get color from. Hope to see you there!
Father’s Day Beginning Bird Watching - 06/21/2026 10:00 AM
Don Edwards Refuge Headquarters & Visitors Center Fremont
Interested in learning about the birds you see on your walks? Looking to identifying a few of those favorites? Explore the world of bird watching in Refuge ponds and trails in Fremont. After an introductory presentation in the Visitor Contact Station covering why birds are important, identification tips, and likely birds, we’ll take a short walk out to the Refuge ponds to look for them!
Recommended for high school and up, but all are welcome. ADA-compliant parking spaces, trails, and portable toilet are available onsite.
Register at weblink
Behind the Scenes Taxidermy - 06/21/2026 10:00 AM
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Pacific Grove
Museum visitors will get a special behind the scenes experience! Jennifer Frost, a taxidermy restoration specialist, will be working on the Museum’s taxidermy bird collection in the Bird Gallery. Guests will have a chance to watch her restoration process up close and ask questions throughout the demonstration.
Junior Rangers at the Refuge: Snowy Plover Party! - 06/21/2026 10:30 AM
Don Edwards Refuge Environmental Education Center Alviso
Become a Junior Ranger as you explore your local National Wildlife Refuge!
Love learning about new habitats? Curious about wildlife? Our Junior Rangers at the Refuge program is perfect for your family! Join us each month as we explore the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge through fun, educational activities.
This June, we’re celebrating a special Father’s Day at the Refuge as we learn all about the Western Snowy Plover, whose males do some heavy-lifting when it comes to caring for chicks! We’ll learn about their habitat, lifecycle, and more through a series of engaging activities. Then, we’ll complete a Snowy Plover craft to take home.
Our Junior Ranger program is perfect for families with elementary-aged children.
See weblink for additional information, and to register
Ten years ago, a documentary asked a simple question: how do we become utterly convinced we are right - even when we’re completely wrong?
Right Between Your Ears follows a group of people who became convinced they knew the date for the end of the world - and then had to face the morning after. Weaving personal stories with insights from leading social psychologists and neuroscientists, the film explores belief, certainty, and the stories we tell ourselves.
“An engaging, kind and sober film about a hugely important topic.” Jon Ronson
“A fun and warm-hearted look at a community of doomsayers as they face the day of judgment, it ends up saying a great deal about how we all think.” Louis Theroux
To mark the 10th anniversary, producer/neuroscientist Kris De Meyer and director Sheila Marshall invite you to watch the film together, followed by a live conversation where they have questions for you, and you can ask yours.
The evening Welcome & introduction by Sheila and Kris Screening of Right Between Your Ears (63 mins) Live conversation - we have questions for you, and a chance to ask yours
Register at weblink
Monday, 06/22/2026
PARC Forum: Moving quantum from lab to fab - 06/22/2026 05:00 PM
PARC Forum Palo Alto
Join us at SRI’s PARC Forum as we bring together leading voices across the quantum value chain to explore how to scale quantum technologies into real-world applications.
Featuring speakers from GlobalFoundries and the SRI-managed QED-C, discussions will cover the state of the quantum ecosystem, manufacturing at scale, and emerging applications beyond computing.
Top quantum experts will come together to discuss how the U.S. is working to create a competitive edge across industry, academia, and government. Discussion topics will include:
Manufacturing at scale - what a quantum-capable supply chain looks like & who is building itThe current state of the quantum ecosystem - a maturity assessment across computing, sensing, and communicationsBeyond quantum computing - applications that industry is beginning to commercializeQED-C’s role in advancing U.S. quantum industrial strategy
Quantum technologies are rapidly advancing toward real-world applications across computing, sensing, communications, and cybersecurity. As the sector scales, success depends on more than breakthrough science - it requires robust supply chains, reliable manufacturing, and a qualified workforce. The quantum industry doesn’t need to start from scratch: It can leverage deep existing capabilities in semiconductors, photonics, lasers, and electronics to accelerate the transition from lab to market.
Speakers: Gregg Martlett, GlobalFoundries; Celia Merzbacher, Quantum Economic Development Consortium
Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Well-Being - 06/22/2026 07:00 PM
Swedish American Hall San Francisco
Our bodies run on internal clocks called circadian rhythms, which influence sleep, energy, mood, and overall health. But artificial light, irregular schedules, shift work, and constant stimulation can throw those rhythms off balance.
In this lecture, UC Berkeley psychologists and neuroscientists Dr. Lance Kriegsfeld and Dr. Sheri Johnson explore how circadian rhythms shape both mental and physical health, what happens when they become disrupted, and why staying aligned with natural day-night cycles matters more than we realize.
Blending neuroscience, psychology, and practical strategies, this lecture offers an accessible look at the hidden systems regulating our daily lives, and how small changes to sleep, light, and routine can help us feel healthier and more balanced.
Speakers: Lance Kriegsfeld and Sheri Johnson, UC Berkeley
Search 360°: From Query Understanding to LLM-Enhanced Retrieval - Livestream - 06/22/2026 07:00 PM
SF Bay Association of Computing Machinery
Search systems are evolving rapidly, powered by advances in deep learning, embeddings, and now large language models. This talk offers a 360° view of modern search architectures: from query understanding and candidate generation to pre-ranking, ranking, and re-ranking. We’ll explore how hybrid retrieval (sparse + dense), multi-task learning, and LLM-assisted query understanding are redefining search quality and personalization. Attendees will gain a systems-level understanding of how each layer contributes to relevance, diversity, and user satisfaction, and where to focus next for scalable innovation.
Speaker: Gauri Sarode, Doordash
Register at weblink
Tuesday, 06/23/2026
Wonderfest: Animal Evolution’s Big Bang: The Cambrian Explosion - 06/23/2026 07:00 PM
Hopmonk Tavern Novato
Wednesday, 06/24/2026
Aligning AI Data Centers with Sustainable Solutions for Grid Efficiency - 06/24/2026 12:30 PM
SF Planning + Urban Research Assoc. (SPUR) San Francisco
Structure and function in coastal vegetated habitats - Livestream - 06/24/2026 03:00 PM
UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory
Virtual Skeptics on the Pub - 06/24/2026 07:00 PM
Bay Area Skeptics
Get to Know Karl the Fog: The Science Behind Bay Area Weather & Microclimates - 06/24/2026 07:00 PM
Planted SF San Francisco
Thursday, 06/25/2026
After Dark: Pride - 06/25/2026 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
PRIDE NightLife - 06/25/2026 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco
Friday, 06/26/2026
Skeptics in an Oakland pub - 06/26/2026 06:30 PM
Drakes Brewing Company Dealership Oakland
Lick Observatory After Hours - SOLD OUT - 06/26/2026 06:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
Saturday, 06/27/2026
SkeptCal 2026 - 06/27/2026 09:00 AM
Asian Cultural Center Oakland
Discover the Flyway Trail - 06/27/2026 10:00 AM
Bedwell Bayfront Park Menlo Park
Lick Observatory After Hours - SOLD OUT - 06/27/2026 06:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
Sunday, 06/28/2026
Solar Observing - 06/28/2026 02:00 PM
San Jose Astronomical Association San Jose
Marine Science Sundays: Sea Lions of the World - 06/28/2026 10:30 PM
Marine Mammal Center Sausalito