*FreeThinkers Lecture Series 2018*
A Taste of What's In Store​

---

Jan. 5 TROY JOHNSON, President of AALBC (African American Literature Book Club)

“Google’s, Facebook’s, and Amazon’s Adverse Impact on Us All”
How these powers have taken control of the world wide web, and how we are adversely impacted. Covers the issue of privacy; how our personal data is used to manipulate us into consuming more; how we are less informed despite access to more information; how our social interactions are worsened as a result of social media, and more.
​

Feb. 2 KAREN HAID - Author

“Calabria: The Other Italy - An illustrated presentation”
Why Calabria? Author Karen Haid takes us into the beauties and wonders of this fascinating region at the heart of the Mediterranean. She will share her experiences living, working and traveling in this oft-neglected area in the toe of the Italian boot. Her book, which grew out of her four-year immersion in the wonders of the people and the place, will be available following the presentation.

Feb.16 STOP!  -  STOP! Panel

“Three Main Objectives for Quality of Life in Sarasota.”
STOP!, a civic group organized in 2016 to advocate for specific changes in the City of Sarasota’s zoning code, is committed to returning public input to Sarasota’s development approval process.They will discuss the need for: 1) wide sidewalks with room for trees, 2) public hearings on large new development projects, and 3) better transportation planning. 

*Topics and Speakers Subject to Change
​
​To hear past Freethinker Presentations Click Here

Mar. 2 DR. CHARLES REITH, Reith Energy

“Desertification, Food, and Conflict in Northern Nigeria: An Integrated Solution” 
Charles works with farmers and herders displaced by Boko Haram to try to reverse and possibly prevent desertification. Learn what desertification is, what causes it and what can be done to restore sustainable productivity to the land for generations to come. ​

April 6 Amb. JAMES D. McGEE, American Diplomat, Former Ambassador to Swaziland, Madagascar, Zimbabwe

"Decline of Diplomacy and the Role of the State Department under the Trump Administration." 
The most senior personnel at the Department of State are departing in large numbers, and the the intake of new Foreign Service officers is at an all time low. The rollback of personnel and functions has become problematic. How do these decisions affect our foreign policy and what are the alternatives to traditional diplomacy?

May 4 ERIC DeRISE, Doctoral Candidate & Coordinator of Admissions for Health Professions Division, Nova SE Univ.,

“Preparing Adult Learners for Online Education Success: How educators are changing online education for improved student retention.”
While there is a growing rate of adult learners in online education, there is also a very high attrition rate among this group. Experts blame this problem on feelings of abandonment and detachment that students experience in online classrooms. Many institutions are working to find new ways to reduce this attrition rate. Eric will show how he plans to contribute to that effort.

​Each talk begins at 10 a.m. followed by a
short Question and Answer period.

​Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232 
​Everyone is Welcome!    
​Admission is Free.    Donations are Welcome.
email: [email protected]