'Sci Pop Talks!' talk series begins Feb. 26 at Love Library

Released on 02/11/2014, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, through Apr. 23, 2014

WHERE: Mezzanine Study Room (Room 221), Love Library, 13th and R Streets

Lincoln, Neb., February 11th, 2014 —

            On Feb. 26, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries will start a new talk series, "Sci Pop Talks! Where Science Intersects Pop Culture," to be held every Wednesday at 7 pm in the Mezzanine Study Room (Room 221) of Love Library, 13th and R streets.

            The talks will explore the science within some of our favorite icons of popular culture and will be given by science faculty from UNL and Doane College. All are free and open to the public.

            Some of the talks will examine how to survive a zombie apocalypse by using chemistry, how to apply game theory to the decisions made by Walter White in the television show "Breaking Bad" and decoding the interview with a vampire from Anne Rice's famous series of novels. An online guide has been set up with the schedule of talks and reading lists to go with the at http://unl.libguides.com/scipoptalks.

            "The faculty members and I that planned this talk series think it will be very popular because topics like zombies and vampires have gained in popularity over the last few years," said Joan Barnes, community engagement librarian.

            Popular TV shows like "The Walking Dead" have increased the interest in zombies, while the last Harry Potter book sold 8.3 million copies during the first 24 hours in America alone. The finale of "Breaking Bad" was viewed by 10.3 million people.

            Barnes and her student assistant will be live-tweeting the talks on the UNL Libraries account with the hashtag: #SciPopTalks.

            The schedule of "Sci Pop Talks! Where Science Intersect Pop Culture":

  • Feb. 26 -- "The Story of Chocolate: Nutrition and Sensory Qualities," Marilynn Schnepf, UNL
  • March 5 -- "Chemistry to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse," Raychelle Burks, Doane
  • March 12 -- "Alien Biochemistry in the Movies," Mark Griep, UNL
  • March 19 -- "Making 'Inception' Real," Ramesh Laungani, Doane
  • April 2 -- "Discovering the Hidden Truth: Forensics," Ashley Hall, UNL
  • April 9 -- "Book 8: Harry Potter and the Magic of Science," Rebecca Lai, UNL
  • April 16 -- "Game Theory and 'Breaking Bad,'" Kristopher Williams, Doane
  • April 23 -- "'Interview with the Vampire' -- Decoded by Scientists," Rebecca Lai, UNL

            The series is sponsored by UNL Libraries, the UNL Chemistry Department and Doane College.

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