Wednesday: Nerd Nite
Nerd Nite hits again Wednesday night at the North Door. Here’s this month’s lineup:
“My Shoes Talk to Twitter: Wearable Technology and the Internet,” by Kassandra Perch
Come learn about hobbyist robotics, the buzzphrase that is “Internet of Things”, and the fabulous world of microcontrollers! I’ll talk about where you can get started building your own projects–the barrier to entry is lower than you think and dropping by the day.
Kassandra Perch is a robotics, 3d printing, and development addict living in Austin. She enjoys scotch, movies, and walking around in internet connected, light-up clothes.
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“You’re growing what in there?: A brief overview of noninvasive prenatal testing and fetal DNA analysis,” by Claire Sellers
It may seem like humans have been able to fully diagnose and manage pregnancy for centuries, but a lot of what we take for granted is relatively new technology. Learn about the history of prenatal testing, including the more recent development of non-invasive fetal DNA testing. With our current “more is better” approach to knowledge, these technologies raise the question of how long it will be until the available information overwhelms our ability to interpret it.
Claire Sellers is a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology with the department of Women’s Health at UT Austin Dell Medical School. She has the extreme privilege of caring for pregnant women on a daily basis, and loves discussing this ever-expanding field.
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“The Modern Freak,” by The Lizardman
What does it mean to be a freak? How have views of freaks changed over time? What role has the sideshow played in shaping these views and how has it been affected by changing attitudes and perceptions?
The Lizardman is a professional freak and entertainer based in Austin who has performed around the world. He also has a degree in philosophy.