Past Events

About 400,000 years after the Big Bang, the dark universe cooled enough that particles were able to form the first atoms (hydrogen, helium), and then light. This is known as the “reionization” era. It is the most important period to astrophysicists because features and conditions in the reionization, including dark matter, determined the evolution of the universe. But this early epoch is inaccessible to telescopes. Astrophysicists devise very complex models to test their theories of the reionization and formation of the earliest galaxies. Dr. Vogelsberger, known for some of the most accurate simulations of the earliest galaxy formations, describes the Thesan project he developed with other scientists at MIT, Harvard University, and the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. This is of particular interest now that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will eventually be able to site these earliest formations. Dr. Vogelsberger will also discuss other related simulation projects.

Why are African Americans so underrepresented when it comes to interest in nature, outdoor recreation, and environmentalism? Carolyn Finney looks beyond the discourse of the environmental justice movement to examine how the natural environment has been understood, commodified, and represented by both white and Black Americans. Bridging the fields of environmental history, cultural studies, critical race studies, and geography, Finney argues that the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial violence have shaped cultural understandings of the “great outdoors” and determined who should and can have access to natural spaces.

Drawing on a variety of sources from film, literature, and popular culture, and analyzing different historical moments, including the establishment of the Wilderness Act in 1964 and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Finney reveals the perceived and real ways in which nature and the environment are racialized in America. Looking toward the future, she also highlights the work of African Americans who are opening doors to greater participation in environmental and conservation concerns.

Author of Catching the Wind Neal Gabler and Boston Public Library President David Leonard have a conversation about this second volume of the definitive biography of Ted Kennedy and a history of modern American liberalism. About the book: “Magisterial . . . an intricate, astute study of political power brokering comparable to Robert A. Caro’s profile of Lyndon Johnson in Master of the Senate.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) Against the Wind completes Neal Gabler’s magisterial biography of Ted Kennedy, but it also unfolds the epic, tragic story of the fall of liberalism and the destruction of political morality in America. With Richard Nixon having stilled the liberal wind that once propelled Kennedy’s—and his fallen brothers’—political crusades, Ted Kennedy faced a lonely battle. As Republicans pressed Reaganite dogmas of individual freedom and responsibility and Democratic centrists fell into line, Kennedy was left as the most powerful voice legislating on behalf of those society would neglect or punish: the poor, the working class, and African Americans. Gabler shows how the fault lines that cracked open in the wake of the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam were intentionally widened by Kennedy’s Republican rivals to create a moral vision of America that stood in direct opposition to once broadly shared commitments to racial justice and economic equality. Yet even as he fought this shift, Ted Kennedy’s personal moral failures in this era—the endless rumors of his womanizing and public drunkenness and his bizarre behavior during the events that led to rape accusations against his nephew William Kennedy Smith—would be used again and again to weaken his voice and undercut his claims to political morality. Tracing Kennedy’s life from the wilderness of the Reagan years through the compromises of the Clinton era, from his rage against the craven cruelty of George W. Bush to his hope that Obama would deliver on a lifetime of effort on behalf of universal health care, Gabler unfolds Kennedy’s heroic legislative work against the backdrop of a nation grown lost and fractured. In this outstanding conclusion to the saga that began with Catching the Wind, Neal Gabler offers his inimitable insight into a man who fought to keep liberalism alive when so many were determined to extinguish it. Against the Wind sheds new light both on a revered figure in the American Century and on America’s current existential crisis.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author will share her revelatory biography of Samuel Adams. In her distinctive voice, which has brought to life Benjamin Franklin, Cleopatra, and The Witches of Salem, Stacy Schiff restores this revolutionary to the pantheon of the most critical Founding Fathers on the 300th anniversary of his birth. Thomas Jefferson once asserted that if there was any leader of the Revolution, “Samuel Adams was the man.” His cousin John Adams said that without him “the true history of the American Revolution could not be written.” Now Stacy Schiff, one of the few and most prominent women writing American history, reveals how Adams rose to become one of the most successful revolutionaries of all time. Don’t miss her illustrated presentation and discussion with Ryan J. Woods about the dazzling life of this American original. Presented by the American Inspiration Series of American Ancestors/NEHGS in partnership with the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS), Porter Square Books, and GBH Forum Network.

With the 2022 midterms in the rearview mirror, we look at the results to help us understand what is to come. What role did the threat to the stability of American democracy play for young voters? What about the urban/rural divide? And issues like abortion? The anticipated “red wave” didn’t materialize and President Biden’s low approval ratings were de-linked from voting intensity; especially among young voters, who appeared motivated by policy questions. Incumbent senators, governors and House members overwhelmingly won re-election. Biden beat the “midterm curse” and in key races, the youth vote was critical. What are top things to watch for in 2023? Join us as we hear from a political strategist, a turnout expert, young people, activists and officeholders, from across the political and geographic spectrum to examine what happened, why it matters, and what the implications may be.

Cambridge Forum is pleased to bring its first live/hybrid event to Cambridge Public Library on Tuesday, November 22 at 5 pm, to answer questions and concerns in an hour-long session “ALL ABOUT MEDICARE”. Despite the booklets and on-line information sessions available to the public, many people still find themselves confused and in need of personal advice about Medicare benefits. This event is designed to provide some answers. AARP will begin by giving a brief overview of Medicare – what it is, what it does and does not provide for retirees? This will be followed by a slide presentation from Maureen Harty of Paine Senior Services, who will talk about the latest changes in Medicare provisions and the current period of open enrollment, which enables users to make changes to their coverage. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions in person or via Zoom.

In the second decade of the 21st Century, a major shift took place in the world of ground transportation. Taxicab drivers – long protected by local barriers to market entry – found themselves overtaken in the marketplace by new and disruptive rideshare services. Uber and Lyft drivers were able to provide a cheaper and simpler and more convenient means of getting around. This has created a significant benefit to consumers, though there have been winners and losers among drivers.  Yet, even for the winners, this profession is now at serious risk of redundancy, thanks to the prospect of the driverless car. While still in development, autonomous vehicles could well mean the end of a livelihood – not only for rideshare drivers, but also for truckers and other vehicle operators – in the years to come. However, this is not a new phenomenon. In this talk, industrial history podcaster Dave Broker explains how, between the 17th and 19th centuries, an almost identical process played out in the British textile trade. It was the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and its explosive consequences should be remembered and studied as we face the economic changes on the horizon.

Memes have long been dismissed as inside jokes with no political importance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Memes are bedrock to the strategy of conspiracists such as Alex Jones, provocateurs like Milo Yiannopoulos, white nationalists like Nick Fuentes, and tacticians like Roger Stone. While the media and most politicians struggle to harness the organizing power of the internet, the “redpill right” weaponizes memes, pushing conspiracy theories and disinformation into the mainstream to drag people down the rabbit hole. These meme wars stir strong emotions, deepen partisanship, and get people off their keyboards and into the streets--and the steps of the US Capitol. Join disinformation and media manipulation experts Dr. Joan Donovan and Brian Freidberg, from the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, in a discussion about how far-right extremist communities online are using memes and social media to bring new people to their ideologies, and drive real-world actions. Moderated by Technology and Innovation Boston Globe reporter, Anissa Gardizy.

Join Jess Alvarez-Parfrey, Nathan Lou, and William Wildcat (Coakí) for an exploration of ancestral connections, and transformative opportunities to nurture a truly regenerative, just, joyful, and climate resilient future. Bringing together diverse cultural backgrounds, skills, and experiences, our panel of practitioners will share their story, and explore the theme of “regeneration” as it relates to our connection to place, purpose, and community. In a time of multiple converging and complex crises, a rising generation of change-makers are reclaiming connections to ancestral wisdoms and the critical skills needed to feed, heal, and nurture their communities. The panel will also delve into a powerful discussion around Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), “work”, “citizen science”, and share their visions for regenerative bioregional cultures and economies of care.

Many Americans face a huge decision in the years ahead: is delaying their retirement a realistic, practical and tenable option or should they work longer, in an attempt to be in better financial shape for their retirement? Many policymakers think it is logical – almost inevitable – that Americans will delay retirement and spend more years in the paid labor force. However, working longer is not a one-size fits all solution especially when you factor in economic and social inequalities, precarious working conditions, family caregiving responsibilities, poor health, and age discrimination. All of these make it difficult or impossible for many to consider working past the age of 65. Marginalized groups in particular face special challenges and society’s legislative responses affect us all. Is there a way to find a path toward better working lives and improved retirement security for all Americans – and if so, what it is?

Resources
Learn more about The Overtime Project.
Get the book from Oxford University Press
Read Lisa Berkman Labor Day op-ed in The Nation