Overview of Sichtweisen Events
| Monday, December 12, 2011 – 8 p.m. – Small Hall Energy for a change: How to get power out of the desert Prof. Dr. Joachim Treusch, Physicist, President of Jacobs University |
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The deserts of the earth receive more energy from the sun in six hours than humanity consumes in one year. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if this energy could be delivered as clean electricity to the consumption centers of the world? We could cover our demand for energy, create a development stimulus in the neighboring countries, and stop the climate change at the same time. Being a modern university of the 21st century, Jacobs University is willing to face this challenge. As one of the first European universities, Jacobs University joined the “Desertec University network” (DUN). The President of Jacobs University and an expert on international energy and economic policy report on new ways of supplying energy. |
| Monday, November 14, 2011 – 8 p.m. – Small Hall Reason to trust: How to overcome insecurity in economy Prof. Dr. Guido Möllering, Economist Dr. Matthias Fonger, Chief Executive Handelskammer Bremen Jens Ohle, Comedy Juggler Gabriela Meyer, Moderation |
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Trust means acting as if everything will turn out all right. Every day, we put our trust in expectations such as that all road users will stop when the traffic lights turn red or that our money will be safe in the bank. Nothing is possible without trust! Even the stability of economies and finances is to a large extent based on trust - although the system often appears to be quite opaque. If there is mistrust, the whole system will suffer immediately. What is the basis of trust? How do you regain lost trust? Is trust good, but control better? Two economists take you into their confidence and explain why you should not talk too much about trust. |
| Monday, October 10, 2011 – 8 p.m. – Small Hall Chance to learn: How to use learning strategies with success Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kühnen, Psychologist Dr. Sabina Schoefer, Headmaster VHS Bremen Sabine Urban, Actress Gabriela Meyer, Moderation |
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Speaking, tying one’s shoes, riding a bike – at some point we had to learn even these simple tasks of everyday life. Learning is a lifelong process: We learn by repeating, experiencing, but also from mistakes. There are things which we learn easily, while we have many difficulties with other tasks. What are the reasons for this phenomenon? Can we learn how to learn? Are there any cultural differences in the understanding of the essence of learning? And what is the role of the teacher? Should we take Confucius or rather Socrates as role model? A psychologist and the director of VHS Bremen present interesting new research findings about the ABC of learning. |
| Monday, May 2, 2011 – 8 pm – Small Hall The joy of digital networking: Brave new social media world Ulrich Hegge, Social media entrepreneur |
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Google Earth permits us to zoom into the other side of the fence. Facebook allows us to sho how many people we know. Xing helps us to find a new job. Social networks are booming. Twitter alone had a two thousand percent increase in users in the previous year. Companies started using these networks for their brand presence already long ago. What’s the future of social media? What opportunities do Xing, Facebook and Co. offer for businesses? What are the “rules of the game” for private persons? An economist and a social media expert explore the depths of the web with you. |
| Monday, April 11, 2011 – 8 pm – Small Hall The joy of twinkling: A biologist and an air-traffic controller decode signals Jun Kurokoshi, Air-traffic controller |
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Forests and the depths of the ocean are not nearly as dark as one might expect: Fireflies perform twinkling dances, mushrooms glow spherically, deep-sea fish send out blinking lights - a fascinating spectacle for us humans. Bioluminescence, the emission of light by a living organism, is not at all a rare phenomenon in nature. Even for human beings light signals are crucial for survival. What’s the use of producing light for animals and plants? What role do signals play in international air traffic? Are there parallels between biological and technical signals? A biologist and an air-traffic controller shed light on these issues. |
| Monday, March 14, 2011 – 8 pm – Small Hall The Joy of travel: A diplomat and a travel writer show you their world Klaus Bötig, Travel writer |
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The desire for traveling - a feeling that probably everybody knows. On a rickshaw through Southeast Asia, on foot through the heights of the Andes or on a sail boat through the South Seas. There are uncountable ways of travelling a foreign country and discovering new things. Travelling, as opposed to a package holiday or a club vacation, does not mean that one engages with a product, but with an adventure. How fascinating must it be when travelling is one’s profession? Travel writer and Greece expert Klaus Bötig and Dr. Claas Knoop, former Ambassador of Germany in Addis Abeba, tell us about their most formative experiences from all over the world and give tips on alternative travelling. |
| Monday, December 13, 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall Without Beginning and End: Eternity and how we can imagine it Dr. Keivan Mallahi-Karai, Mathematician |
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No other question has intrigued humanity as much as the enigma of infinity. How do you describe something that is never-ending? Are there limits in time and space, and if so, what lies beyond them? When I remove one object from an infinite number of objects, why is it that I still have an infinite number? Which consequences would eternal life have for us- and for our faith? A Mathematician and a Priest deal with these questions and approach the mysterious phenomenon of infinity. |
| Monday, November 8, 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall Men and women: Commonalities and differences you should know Dr. Özen Odag, Psychologist, BIGSSS |
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Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. Men are good at parking cars, women are better listeners. Women are emotional, men are rational. The list of stereotypes seems to be endless. Prejudices conceal what males and females actually have in common. But how strong are the differences? Which gender-related (in-) equalities really do exist in the context of the job market, politics and the welfare state? And what is the situation in the private realm? Is there for example a difference in the way men and women read books? A Psychologist and Sociologist take a look at the sexes. |
| Monday, October 4, 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall Innovations and the flash of genius: Driving factors of change that you shouldn’t underestimate Prof. Dr. Steven Ney, Professor of Political Science |
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"The horse doesn’t eat cucumber salad"- the first sentence ever to be transmitted via telephone sounded like a joke. But also the invention itself was looked down upon in 1861: Who needs a telephone? New ideas are often underestimated at first. Later on then, they influence the lives of millions. When is it, that skepticism makes room for excitement? How do innovations achieve acceptance? And how do you sell trailmix from the US in Bremen? A political scientist and a young, successful entrepreneur take a close look at progress in society. |
| Monday, May 3, 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall East or West? Muslims in Germany Prof. Dr. Rainer Tetzlaff, Professor of History |
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About 3.4 million Muslims currently live in Germany. They have become part of the German everyday culture. But our opinion on Muslims is mostly imprinted by clichés. Rightly they do not only ask for more tolerance, but also respect and full integration. We, too, have expectations. What do we have to accomplish to meet the challenges of multicultural modernity? Does the Islamic law, the Sharia, stand in the light of peaceful integration of Muslims? Are Islamic and secular rule of law compatible? An historian and a young Turkish political scientist try to give an answer. |
| Monday, 12 April 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall Head ort Heart? How to make the right decision? Prof. Dr. Andreas Bausch, Professor of Economics |
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Whether it is with love, during shopping or sports: we make decisions every day and are more often torn: should we follow our intuition or rather our mind? Latest findings in brain research show: rational thinking cannot be separated from emotion; rationality is not always the boss of our decisions. This can also be observed in sports. Professional golfers play at their best when they do not have time to think about their drive. But how does one know in which situation to rely on head or heart? And when can we trust our intuition? An economist and a golf manager present you the principles of successful decision-making. |
| Monday, March 8, 2010 – 8 pm – Small Hall Lie or Truth? Forgery in Science Prof. Dr. Alexander Lerchl, Professor of Biology |
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»The truth will out« goes an old saying. Lies can come in many forms: as an innocent white lie, a criminal fraud, a malicious slander. Whether the other person tells us the truth has ever been a key question. Every day in all areas of life we have to rely on the assumption that we are not lied to. A whole branch of science established that deals with the phenomenon of lying. But science itself is also not immune to data forgery. In literature, too, authors have been copying entire passages and still claim to be authentic. But how does one know what is wrong or what is right? Do objective criteria for truth exist? How reliable are lie detectors? A psychologist and a literary scholar present astonishing research results about lying. |
| Monday, November 9, 2009 – 8 pm – Small Hall Europe and America – Connecting and separating facts you should know! Prof. Dr. Michael Bau, Professor of Geosciences |
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Europe and North America: ‘Old World’ and ‘New World’; connected in some ways, completely separated in others. Frankfurt is 6555 km away from Washington D.C., and this transatlantic distance causes political and cultural misunderstandings time and again. After drifting apart during the Bush era, there is now hope for a closer cooperation between the two under President Obama. The ways in which Europe and America drift apart and approximate each other at the same time, while being part of one entity, are described by a geologist and a historian. |
| Monday, October 5, 2009 – 8 pm – Small Hall Black tea – Secrets and facts you should explore! Prof. Dr. Nicolai Kuhnert, Professor of Chemistry |
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From East Frisian breakfast tea to British tea time – black tea is popular everywhere. After water, tea is the second-most drunk beverage in the world. Three million tons of tea leaves are harvested annually. However, despite intense research, more than 70% of black tea’s ingredients are still unknown today. How has nature been able to keep such a secret for so long? How can science unveil the exact black tea composition? And what factors influence the drink’s quality? A chemist and the factory manager of a famous Bremen tea-trading company give an introduction into the world of growing areas, the production and the preparation of black tea. |
| Monday, May 11, 2009 – 8 pm – Small Hall Look closely! Stress has many facets Prof. Dr. Klaudia Brix, Professor of Cell Biology |
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Stress is a well-known phenomenon. It is seen as the modern disease and often used as an explanation for various mental and physical sensitivities. But a certain amount of stress is absolutely necessary – not only does it add excitement to our lives, it also supplies us with energy, and helps to master difficult situations. But when stress takes over permanently it turns into a health hazard. A psychologist and a biologist will highlight the different bodily mechanisms in response to stress situations and will point out ways to deal with stress in a positive manner. |
| Monday, April 6, 2009 – 8 pm – Small Hall Attention! What Asia can teach us Prof. Dr. Alexander Ebner, Professor of Political Economy |
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| Feng Shui, Yoga, Bollywood: Asia is fascinating and en vogue – not only culturally. The continent is also booming economically. The formerly underdeveloped economies have experienced rapid growth. Whether automobiles or electronic devices, their export goods are indispensable to all our households. Is this success attributable to persuasive Asian values? Or have the western industrialized nations themselves contributed to this enormous growth through their westernization of Asia? An economist and a cultural scientist make sense of the phenomenon Asia and explore its meaning for the globalized world of the twenty-first century. | |
| Monday, March 9, 2009 – 8 pm – Small Hall Caution! Words have great power Prof. Dr. Jürgen Trabant, Professor of European Plurilingualism |
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Words are powerful, very powerful. One ‘Yes’ can seal a marriage, decide upon a verdict or dictate a punishment. A careless, jagged word can destroy everything. At the same time, a kind word can be healing. All the world’s religions know about the power of the word. It is with the word that in the Bible God created the World and Man. And Jesus Christ is, in the Christian view, the human form of the word. A scholar of languages and a scholar of religion introduce the magic and the diversity of human and godly word, from prayer and curses to ritual speech acts. |
| Monday, December 8, 2008 – 8 pm – Small Hall Truth in Pictures: The Bane and Blessing of Visualization Prof. Dr. Marion G. Müller, Professor of Mass Communication |
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Suffering, destruction, powerlessness, joy – the media overflows us every day with a huge amount of images. Whether football world championship or tsunami-catastrophes –pictures appeal to our feelings and influence our thinking. Images play an important role in many aspects of our life. Modern medicine, for example, would be unthinkable without computer generated images. But do pictures always tell the truth? How are they used, for example, in politics? A communication scientist and a computer scientist talk about the power of images in our modern society. |
| Monday, November 17, 2008 – 8 pm – Small Hall Hope in Sight: Africa and the Globalization Prof. Dr. Rainer Tetzlaff, Professor of History |
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Of the 49 poorest countries in the world 33 are located in Africa. Despite development aid per capita income descent. The average life expectancy is only 46 years. There are civil wars, refugees, misery and state decay. Never before have so many Africans been threatened by famine as today. Is Africa the big loser of globalization? Is the only possibility for young ambitious Africans to migrate to Europe ? What perspective does the continent have for the next decades? A historian and a political scientist try to give answers to these questions and to show hopeful aspects of an emancipated Africa . |
| Monday, October 27, 2008 – 8 pm - Small Hall Beauty in Measure: Proportions in Mathematics and Art Prof. Dr. Götz Pfander, Professor of Mathematics |
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A perfect body, a beaming smile or a painting by Leonardo da Vinci: All this we probably regard as beautiful. According to an old proverb beauty is in the eye of the beholder, nevertheless many people share similar perceptions in what is esthetic and attractive. Why is that so? Are there certain features that make the perception of beauty a universal law instead of a question of taste? Can artistic qualities such as those of the architect Le Corbusier or the painter Jackson Pollock be scientifically described? A mathematician together with a scientist of arts measure beauty and present you astonishing findings about divine proportions. |
| Monday May 5, 2008 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall From A to B – The art of Transport Prof. Jens Froese, Professor of Logistic |
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Without logistics almost nothing would function in our world. Logistics moves people and goods all around the globe and builds bridges between the continents. Globalisation is logistics driver and engine. Even a biological cell must be able to count on her logistics: an ingenious metabolism provide ways so that substances of vital importance are always ready. Between these systems there are strong parallels. Will we be able to learn new logistical strategies from cells? Or do we understand cellular processes better via logistics? A Logistician and a Systems Biologist follow the exciting question as the resemblance of both complicated systems helps us attain new knowledge. |
| Monday, April 7, 2008 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall Health at any cost? – Prioritisation of medicine Prof. Dr. Adele Diederich, Professor of Psychology |
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The high tech medicine of today is omnipresent in medical everyday life, the possibilities for both prevention and treatment are enormous. However, the progress has his price: Not everything that is medically feasible can be financed. It is becoming increasingly important to think about a prioritisation of medical services. Will there always be fair and available medical service available for patients of all ages? A psychologist and a quality control specialist from the Clinic Bremen North discuss which distributional mechanisms exist at present and which criteria could be in place for a prioritisation in the future. |
| Monday, March 3, 2008 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall Aggression – The origin of violence in animals and humans Prof. Dr. V. Benno Meyer-Rochow, Professor of Biology |
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Aggression and power – we encounter this daily: Dogs clash with bared teeth, pupils fight on the playground, soldiers kill during a war. Threats and power cause us fear - but have they also a "sense"? Is belligerence a "behavioral mistake" or an inalienable component of biology and culture? Do we learn aggression or is it a part of our genetic inheritance? Has violence increased or decreased in the course of history? A biologist and a historian will follow these questions and, astonishingly, perhaps also have something reassuring to report. |
| Monday, December 3, 2007 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall Many years, longer life – How can we deal with aging? Prof. Dr. Ursula M. Staudinger, Professor of Psychology |
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Golden Oldies, Best Agers, 50plus-Generation: aging has a future - not only from an economists' point of view. Life-expectancy has increased by 30 years compared to life expectancy 100 years ago. At the same time, older people are also on average healthier, more mobile and more active than ever before. How can we deal with aging? How does increasing age on one's CV affect one's future prospects? Can less stress in youth result in a longer life? A professor of Sociology and a Professor of Psychology present the current issue of how to structure a CV in accordance with increasing age, as well as the resulting social trends. |
| Monday, November 5, 2007 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall More money, more happiness – What is needed to be happy Prof. Dr. Margrit Schreier, Professor of Psychology |
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More money, more happiness - What it takes to be happy When was the last time you felt happy? After a salary increase, after a walk in the forest, or perhaps when you were in love? Exaltation can be caused by various factors, but the fact remains - everyone wants to be happy! For many of us material things are a source of happiness. However, scientists unanimously agree that material well-being does not automatically guarantee spiritual well-being. What do we need to be generally satisfied with our lives? What is the best recipe to reach the state of happiness? A Professor of Psychology and a Professor of Sociology investigate the dimensions of happiness and the question whether one can be happy even without money. |
| Monday, October 8, 2007 – 8:00 PM – Small Hall More public spirit, more success – What we can learn from the bees Prof. Dr. Benno Meyer-Rochow, Professor of Biology |
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"All for one and one for all! " - a slogan that guarantees success in complex societies. Even though people regard this altruistic motto as an ideal for human coexistence, for bees this way of life has always been the norm. A success strategy that pays off: the tiny, highly specialized animals develop into extremely efficient organisms. What exactly makes these insects so successful? What can we learn from their complex mode of existence? A professor of literature and a professor of biology investigate the question whether beehives can serve as role models for social structures in the future. |
| Monday May 14, 2007 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Changing perspectives – The ability to look beyond one’s nose Prof. Dr. Matthias Ullrich, Microbiologist |
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Do you like crime novels? Then you should know that nowadays detectives consult an army of experts in order to conduct a successful investigation: be it pathologists, anthropologists, geographers or psychologists. All of them work together with the criminologists in analyzing the various circumstances of a case. As this example shows, Transdisciplinarity has become an indispensable part of our lives, i.e. cooperation among experts beyond their own disciplines. It occupies a prominent place in the teaching and research process at Jacobs University as well. A microbiologist and a historian will lead you through the investigation of a past murder in order to show you how cooperation can yield fascinating results. |
| Monday April 16, 2007 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Networking – The ability to create and foster contacts Prof. Dr. Christian Roßnagel, Psychologist |
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Contacts, contacts, contacts: whoever wants to achieve success in both the personal and in the private sphere, should have lots of them. A new job? A good doctor or an adept translator? People with the right connections can always receive the support they need in a timely manner. Networking facilitates one’s business and has a snowball effect by providing further connections. Moreover, present-day digital communications are increasingly dependent on networking. How can one create a network most efficiently? How to profit from a network to the greatest extent? A psychologist and an IT specialist will shed light on the most important factors for creating and fostering one’s networks, and will present the similarities and differences between social and computer networks. |
| Monday March 5, 2007 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Love of life – The ability to enhance one’s quality of life Prof. Dr. Nicolai Kuhnert, Chemist |
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Red wine has a mild effect on the blood circulation! Tomatoes are good for the heart! Olive oil makes you happy! There are thousands of similar pieces of advice health experts give. Day by day, things go even further: the Glyx-diet for those who work the body mass index or other wonders to make you slim and fit. How is one supposed to find his way in this jungle? What was regarded as healthy yesterday, is today a no-no . Drinking coffee, for example, was long believed to reduce the amount of liquids in the body – nowadays the world-famous drink is perceived as a liquid enhancer. What lies behind all these culinary messages of salvation? And why should more exercise serve as a prevention against a heart attack? A chemist and an expert on sports present the way science determines what food products and what types of exercise are beneficial for one’s health, and will spur your interest to find out more about your body. |
| Monday December 4, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall Cold Machines and Hot Emotions - Insights into the Emotional Spheres of Humans and Machines Prof. Dr. Andreas Birk, Computer Scientist |
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Star Wars, Blade Runner - these days hardly any science fiction movie can survive without featuring robots. One aspect, whether robots may have emotions, fascinates us continuously. Yet, reality is not far away from fiction anymore: Robot scientists are investigating how robots could be equipped with senses in order to fulfill their tasks even more effectively in the future. At the same time, psychologists analyze what role emotional behavior plays in the interaction between humans and machines. Insights gained from artificial systems allow conclusions about fundamental processes in human beings. A computer scientist and a psychologist will demonstrate that "Artificial Emotions" are an exiting topic and that we might be able to learn something from robots. |
| Monday November 6, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall The Sweet Yes and the Acerb No - The Disclosure of the Secret of Refusal Franziska Deutsch, Political Scientist |
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A friend asks you to help him mov e out of his house. You agree, but initially you want to decline. Afterwards you resent your decision and ask yourself, "Why didn't I answer no?" Answering "No" with ease can be tough but might be a necessary factor if you do not want to be taken ill. From a political science point of view, answering "No" to a request is one of the great accomplishments of democracies. Nevertheless, what options does the individual citizen have to answer "No" to political proposals? Are there any distinct prospects for direct democracy in Germany? Moreover, are women really doing worse than men are when it comes to answering "No"? A psychologist and a political scientist will clarify the importance of answering „No". |
| Monday, October 16, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall Bold Visions and Fixed Limits - Can we keep Pace with Technical Progress? Prof. Dr. Alexander Lerchl, Biologist |
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The world is developing in ever-shorter cycles. Whereas information, goods, and services used to be exchanged face-to-face, shopping now requires only a couple of minutes and a few mouse clicks. We are confronted with technological progress almost on a daily basis. Will the over-stimulation of our senses continue? Can our "archaic" biological construction keep up with this rapid development? In what direction will biological and economic forces drive us in the future? A biologist and an economist invite you on a tour covering 200,000 years of evolution and 2,000 years of economic development, from primates to mass consumers. |
| Monday, May 8, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall Genes & Google - The hunt for a needle in a haystack |
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| Prof. Dr. Albert Jeltsch, Biochemist Prof. Dr. Michael Kohlhase, Computer Scientist Anka Zink, cabaret artist ("Blond am Freitag") Gabriela Meyer, Moderator |
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Internet, mobile telephoning, television - our world is increasingly characterized by an information over load. As data sets are increasing, the importance of effective search and retrieval strategies grows. This applies to internet search engines as well as to the human body. Daily, our body filters substantial data from billions of DNA. So, how do search engines work? Moreover, how do we identify certain sections of the human genetic information quickly and reliably? A biochemist and a computer scientist describe, how technical and biological systems deal with large data sets and how it is possible, to find the "needle in a haystack". | |
| Monday, April 3, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall Pace & Dates - How time determines our lives |
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| Prof. Dr. Jens Förster, Psychologist Prof. Dr. Bernhard Kramer, Physicist Rolf Bach & Christine Dorner, Stadttheater Bremerhaven Gabriela Meyer, Moderator |
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Sichtweisen turns 20! We would like to invite you to a glass of champagne and live music presented by Evelyn Frisinger (vocals) und Dennis Volk (piano). |
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Sometimes time just flies - would you have guessed that this already the 20th Sichtweisen-Event? We would like to use this anniversary to take a closer look at 'time'. Can time stand still? How do we manage to improve our time management? Can we learn to be more aware of our time? How does the perception of time develop? Does time change with speed? Why does an atomic clock lose only one second in a billion years? Go out with a psychologist and a physicist and explore the sphere of time starting from the Big Bang to modern time management. | |
| Monday, March 6, 2006 - 8.00 PM - Small Hall Hopefuls & Skeptics - What distinguishes optimists from pessimists? Prof. Dr. Britta Renner, Psychologist |
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"Optimists live a happier life!" That is what the man on the street says. Scientific research does also prove the benefit of a positive approach to life: Optimists are less fearful, have stamina and are less often ill. However, this is only one side of the coin. Optimists are much more inclined to overestimate their own capabilities and tend to misjudge risky situations. Historical sources show that some societies cultivated a rather optimistic foresight and accomplished astounding, yet unreasonable achievements. Mao Zedong's governance over China was indicative of that. A psychologist and a historian present how our attitudes affect our lives and that at times pessimism might be of advantage. |
| Monday, December 5, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Control Center and Repair Genius - How the Brain Tackles Injuries Dr. Bettina Olk, Professor of Psychology |
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The brain is the most complex organ of the body. It consists of a network of more than a hundred billion nerve cells. They control our attention, our learning abilities, thoughts and memory. Usually we take it for granted that it all functions flawlessly. What happens, however, after an apoplectic stroke and the brain is injured? The brain is in charge of adaptation ability. It can develop many adverse effects through illness or the process of aging, but can also compensate for them. Its fascinating abilities and also its limits of reorganization are presented by professors of Neurobiology and Psychology. |
| Monday, November 14, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Science & Fiction – Why we are Fascinated by the Universe Dr. Gerhard Haerendel, Professor of Astrophysics |
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Hardly any other question fascinates people so much as the question of whether there is other life in the universe. The science-fiction genre booms, as do the sciences researching the ideas and concepts of extraterrestrial life. There are always new missions launched to explore the universe. What would happen should an intelligent alien life form be one day discovered? How would we for example communicate with the aliens? Professors of Astrophysics and Literature provide insight on the current outer space visions and discuss the possibility of people one day living on Mars. |
| Monday, October 17, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Fan Stands & La Ola Waves - Why Soccer Players Love Home Games Dr. Clemens Schwender, Professor of Communication Science |
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In the 2003/2004 season Werder Bremen lost only 2 of 17 home games. FC Bayern München was only defeated once in their home stadium. There is a home advantage in sports! So why do teams perform better at home rather than away? Do the fans accelerate the players? Do the players not quite feel at home in foreign stadiums? To which extent does the media coverage of a sport event influence emotions of spectators and players? A Professor for Communication Science and a Professor of statistics present insights into the psychology of sport. |
| Monday, May 9, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Everything or Nothing! – Evaluating and coping with risks Dr. Michael Bau, Prof. of Geosciences |
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A city can be ravaged in an hour by a hurricane, a co-worker of many years can be fired the next day… Many such daily upheavals we come to accept, some – we overcome. Fundamental changes in our lives can be long-lasting or momentary. Prevention and reaction strategies should be developed for climate changes just as they are for volcanic eruptions and traffic accidents. Those are serious tasks for society. Geo scientist and Social scientist illustrate which geological and social risks are threatening the community and suggest ways in which we can limit the risk factors. |
| Monday, April 4, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall Money or Love! – Critical factors for success in marriages and other kinds of partnerships Dr. Margrit Schreier, Prof. of Empirical Methods |
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Every day people go to the civil registry office to marry or decide to live together. Their plans are to remain together forever through joy or sorrow. For them only love counts! These considerations play no role in the cooperation or fusion of companies however. Are trade deals, life models or business strategies really so different? Or are there perhaps common success strategies? Psychologist and Economist analyze which social and economic factors play an important role in partnerships. |
| Monday, March 7, 2005 - 8:00 PM - Small Hall „This way or the other!" – Albert Einstein – controversial genius" Dr. Peter Schupp, Prof. of Physics |
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„If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith“, once said the famous physicist Albert Einstein. He could not foresee the consequences of his theories when he was inventing them. They have revolutionized not only the science of physics but our very view of the world. With the help of Einstein’s works emerged understanding of relativity of space and absolute time. However, Einstein was not only a prominent scientist but also a famous public figure. He used his popularity to influence society. He represented the idea that the scientist should be responsible for the consequences of his inventions. A Physicist and an Historian provide insights into the research and personality of Einstein. |
| Monday, December 6, 2004 - Small Hall „Mystical!" The impact of the Occult on Innovations Dr. Moritz Bassler, Prof. of Literature |
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Was the physicist Isaac Newton an alchemist and the famous writer Thomas Mann – a spiritualist? Whenever revolutionary new ideas in the arts and sciences appear, - occult experiences also play a role. The impact of occult – practices, which concern themselves with the supernatural phenomena, on the innovations and cultural improvement nowadays is willingly overlooked. As a result, the image of human progress is illustrated incompletely. An Astrophysicist and a Literature scientist shed some light on the “dark sides” of our geniuses and take us on a quest for the spirits behind the inspiration. |
| Monday, November 8, 2004 - Small Hall “Expressive! Faces and their functions in politics and everyday life" Dr. Arvid Kappas, Prof. of Psychology |
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Faces can speak volumes and therefore play a central role in both self-portrayal and social perception. Are faces also windows to the soul? For hundreds of years scientists have been trying to find out to which extent faces express actual feelings. What is clear is that in many cases facial expressions are used to exchange information with the environment. Audiovisual media uses faces to construct certain messages. Politicians are depicted with the gazing expressions so as to fill them with a certain symbolic content. A Communications scientist and a Psychologist show which are the fundamental functions of faces in everyday life and politics. |
| Monday, October 4, 2004 - Small Hall "Hot! Impacts of climate changes" Dr. Laurenz Thomsen, Prof. of Geosciences |
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Winters are getting milder while summers hotter. Will the global heating effect increase or are we nearing an ice age? In contemporary climate research and climate politics there are often very contradictory opinions about development of the Greenhouse Effect. Some speak of the melting of the south and north poles, while others – about their expansion. It is difficult for the layperson to form a coherent and comprehensive image of the environmental problems. A Geoscientist and an Economist present current scientific standpoints on the threats of climate changes. |
| Monday, May 10, 2004 - Small Hall Poll Tax „Not without my body”. The brain as a thinking machine and a body part. Dr. Claus Hilgetag, Prof. of Neurosciences |
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We need our body to run, to love or to eat chocolate. But do we need it to think? Contemporary scientists answer “yes”. Our brain not only houses our consciousness, - it is also a biological organ, which is connected to and exchanges the substances with many body parts, gets tired and ages. On the other hand, chess computers can put the human grandmaster into a checkmate situation. Can a robotic body also be a suitable vehicle for a creative and at the same time immortal brain? Neuroscientist and Computer scientist look into these questions. They show how the brain works as an organ, as a thinking machine, as a receptor of sensations and as the body’s command center. |
| Monday, April 5, 2004 - Small Hall Colorful! „Colors and Lights!“ Colors and Light play in nature and art Dr. Ursula Anna Frohne, Prof. of Art and Arts History |
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„Red is the color of love“ and „there is no light without shadows“ – light and colors play a prominent role in people’s lives and have motivated people of different cultures and epochs to form metaphors and speculations. Light and color are simple phenomena of perception. Despite their immaterial quality, they are noticeable to the human eye. Artists and scientists try to fathom and present the laws and physical principles of light and colors from different perspectives. Interplay of an Art Historian and Natural scientist explore this idea in an “enlightening” fashion. |
| Monday, March 8, 2004 - Small Hall Fair! "Tit for tat!" Basic principles of fair behavior for people and machines Dr. Andreas Birk, Prof. of Informatics |
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Sometimes „fair play“ is not only a part of conduct in soccer! Fouls also happen on an every day basis in those spheres of life unrelated to sport. However, how can one achieve fairness in a world of egoists? Psychological research shows that people have a natural reflex for fair behavior, since it is a part of the basic functions of thinking. Contemporary robotics attempts to build intelligent machines that can resemble people in terms of their basic functions. A Psychologist and an Informatics professor show when and why the fair behavior is advantageous. |
| Sunday, November 2, 2003 - Small Hall (SichtWeisen Special on the occasion of the 75th year of the foundation of the Glocke) "Separated – Europe that devours her children. Between separation and integration, 1928-2003" Dr. Paul Nolte, Prof. of History |
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The 20th century was an age of extremes, particularly in Europe and for the European identities. Europe strived for unity while destroying it herself. Has Herder already foreseen that Europe devours her children in his “Philosophy of the human history”? History and Literature professors discuss the questions of European identity, belonging and ostracism of the last 75 years. |
| Monday, December 8, 2003 - Small Hall "Attraction – Who likes whom? From communicating cells to human automata" Dr. Klaudia Brix, Prof. of Cell Biology |
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Contemporary psychology says that once somebody is perceived by another he is pigeonholed. This automatic sorting determines how a person will be perceived. From the biological standpoint, cells carry recognition molecules on their surface, which help them to contact one another. An intensive information exchange takes place in this combination of cells. Biologist and Psychologist shed some light on the similarity in principles of attraction for people and molecules. |
| Monday, November 10, 2003 – Small Hall "Ravishingly Beautiful- „So where are they running to then? - Mobile world pictures, which affect our lives" Dr. Werner Bergholz, Prof. of Electrical Engineering |
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On Television we experience live reports from wars and receive news with pictures over the mobile phone. What are the effects of over exposure to such pictures? Surely there are “key images” that help us to orientate in the flow of images. To which extend are these pictures dependant on the country’s culture? How are the consumer’s habits influenced by microelectronic and mobile phone industry. These questions are explored by an Engineer and a Communications scientist. |
| Monday, October 6, 2003 - Small Hall "Meaningful – I see what you can not! – Sensory perception and cognition in humans and animals" Dr. Adele Diederich, Prof. of Psychology |
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Our sensory receptors are continuously bombarded with a multitude of information. Only a fraction of this information is analyzed by the sensory cells and a yet smaller part of is perceived by the brain. Can people then have an objective picture of the world at all? Neurobiologist and Psychologist show which exciting sensory functions are draining and limiting the cognitive ability. |
| Monday, June 16, 2003 - Small Hall "Signals“ – Communication in humans and animals Dr. Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow, Prof. of Biology |
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Nature offers an amazing diversity of communication forms: spiders send signals through their threads, fish recognize each other through electrical impulses. Socialization and information exchange are one of the many vital needs of humans and animals. Technical communication devices are playing an increasingly important role for humans and are developing rapidly. This is particularly applicable to mobile communications. Technology and human behavior influence one another. |
| Monday, May 12, 2003 - Small Hall "Womanpower“ - How successful is the rights equality for women? Examples from animal and human environments Dr. Antje Boetius, Professorin of Microbiology |
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One of the curious particularities of human society is the discrimination of women. It shows for example in that women in ruling positions are strongly underrepresented. Amongst animals and primitive people there are alternative forms of relationships. What plays a role in partner choice and child upbringing for the development of gender roles? Can equality be an advantage for the further development of people? |
| Monday, March 31, 2003 - Small Hall "Passionate feelings“ –Love , Sex and Death in Biology and Literature Dr. Alexander Lerchl, Professor of Biology |
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Experiences with beginning and end of life and particularly with sexuality - and the mating ritual among humans - have always strongly influenced people – good literature is unimaginable without Eros. These motives have always inspired the writers. This presentation elucidates the topic from the biological perspective – why there are different sexes - and illuminates various consequences. |
Event Calendar
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