Past Events

Ever wonder why militant groups behave as they do? For instance, why does Islamic State brag over social media about its gory attacks, while Hezbollah denies responsibility or even apologizes for its carnage? Max Abrams' book _Rules for Rebels_ shows that militant group behavior depends on the strategic intelligence of the leaders. Based upon extensive study of the political strategies of hundreds of militant groups throughout world history, Abrams reveals that successful militant leaders have followed three rules. These rules are based on original insights from the fields of political science, psychology, criminology, economics, management, marketing, communication, and sociology. It turns out there’s a science to victory in militant history; but even rebels must follow rules. Image: Pexels.com

Join BostonTalks to hear how our vision for robotic helpers, companions, and cyborgs is creeping towards a reality. Three speakers share their knowledge of robotic tech. Sam Spaulding, a doctoral student at MIT Media Lab’s Personal Robots Group works to design and program robots that can understand and react to humans. Joelle Renstrom, a science writer for the Daily Beast and a professor at Boston University focuses on artificial intelligence and space exploration. Nadia Cheng is the head of operations at RightHand Robotics and works to bring robots to the workplace. Learn more about this event and future BostonTalks here: [WGBH Events](https://www.wgbh.org/event/bostontalks-robots "WGBH Events") Image: Pexels.com

The Boston Society of Architects/AIA and the BSA Foundation consider the shifting landscape of public remembrance, specifically as Boston considers a new memorial on the Boston Common to commemorate Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. What role do memorials play in contemporary society? How do we decide what to commemorate? What are the design considerations for this work of public art and how it relates to its site and to the history of race in Boston? Photo: Herman Hiller / New York World-Telegram & Sun [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Fresh on the heels of the mid-term elections, the JCC Greater Boston Jonathan Samen Hot Buttons Cool Conversations series examines the political landscape in America. On issues ranging from the economy and healthcare, to immigration and the future of the Supreme Court, candidates are facing a deeply polarized electorate in a charged political environment. We present an analysis of the election outcome with two of the brightest political minds in the country. Image: [Pexels.com](https://www.pexels.com/photo/flag-of-america-1202723/ "pexels") ,[Wikimediacommons.com](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Judaism#/media/File:Davidstern_-_Hexagram_-_David%27s_Stern_II.jpg "wiki media commons")

Geometry determines the limits of structures and motion. Knowing how those constraints work is very important for modern biology, physics and chemistry, engineering and materials science. Dr. Streinu and Dr. Borcea discuss that relationship between geometry and science, and their forthcoming book on the subject. Thumbnail by Kelvinsong - [Own work, CC0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23285453 "")

Emergency responders on the US-Mexico border operate at the edges of two states. They rush patients to hospitals across country lines, tend to the broken bones of migrants who jump over the wall, and put out fires that know no national boundaries. Paramedics and firefighters on both sides of the border are tasked with saving lives and preventing disasters in the harsh terrain at the center of divisive national debates. Ieva Jusionyte’s firsthand experience as an emergency responder provides the background for her examination of the politics of injury and rescue in the militarized region surrounding the US-Mexico border. Operating in this area, firefighters and paramedics are torn between their mandate as frontline state actors and their responsibility as professional rescuers, between the limits of law and pull of ethics. From this vantage they witness what unfolds when territorial sovereignty, tactical infrastructure, and the natural environment collide. Image: Book Cover

Acclaimed writer and executive producer Christopher Keyser was co-showrunner and executive producer of the Amazon original series ** The Last Tycoon** in 2017, and the showrunner for the last season of **Tyrant** on FX. He shares insight into the industry and explains what it means to be a "showrunner." Keyser was in Massachusetts as showrunner for a new 2019 series for Netflix: ["The Society"](https://www.netflix.com/title/80197989) is now available.

In a media landscape with more choices than ever before, the consumer is clearly in control and they want what they want, when they want it. What does this mean for content providers – publishers, entertainment networks and even brands? How do they engage the modern consumer and still run a profitable business? What are they doing to tip the scales back in their favor? Hear from thought leaders from some of the foremost publishers in today’s entertainment world to hear how they’re generating compelling content that connects. Image: [pexels.com](https://www.pexels.com/photo/macbook-pro-908284/ "laptop")

Branded entertainment is on the rise, with companies as varied as Starbucks, Pepsi, Lego, Marriott, LVMH, Patagonia and Red Bull launching both short, episodic and feature narratives and documentaries. How can producers advise brands to deliver genuine value to the audience leading them to opt-in with their attention and the resulting equity? Our panelists believe investing in quality content that makes a connection with their audience without interruption is a good place to start. This panel covers the current state of branded content and show compelling case-studies of brand funded projects, distribution and marketing campaigns. Image: [pexels.com](https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-paper-with-people-diagram-print-900108/ "branded content")

**Streamed Live on November 3rd, 2018 at 11 a.m.** Dan Carlin has worked as a news reporter, an author, a columnist, and a radio talk show host. He began podcasting around 2005 and now he is the host of two popular podcasts, [_Common Sense_](https://www.dancarlin.com/product-category/common-sense-with-dan-carlin/ "Common Sense podcast"), and [_Hardcore History_](https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/ "Hardcore History podcast"). Carlin is outspoken on issues like state surveillance, foreign intervention, concentrated power, free speech, education reform, the problems of a two-party system, and civil liberties. _Common Sense_ was nominated for a Podcast Award in the Politics/News category in 2012 and 2013. Hardcore History was nominated in 2012 for a Stitcher Award in the Best Educational & Learning Podcast category.