Wednesday, September 5—come watch me demonstrate my ignorance about the psychological underpinnings of political decisions!
Adult Education presents:
The Political Animal
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 – 7 pm
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street, between Houston and Prince
FREE
As Election Day approaches Adult Education—a monthly lecture series devoted to making useless knowledge somewhat less useless—returns from summer hiatus with a panel of presenters to speak on the theme “The Political Animal.” Lectures will include:
Jay Dixit, “The Highly-Impressionable Voter”
We all like think our voting decisions are the product of reason, but the truth is that voters are surprisingly malleable. Psychology writer Jay Dixit explores the unconscious forces that influence our political behavior beneath the level of our conscious awareness—and how to resist them.
David Hill: “Give Metta World Peace A Chance”
The basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest is responsible for one of the most violent episodes in NBA history. He is also the winner of the NBA’s J. Walker Kennedy Citizenship Award. Hill examines what Metta World Peace can teach the rest of us about citizenship.
Phil Campbell, “Strange Bedfellows”
Every four years, Hollywood churns out one to three films about politics. Campbell examines how well Hollywood director Stephen Gyllenhaal portrayed local American politics in his film Grassroots, which was adapted from Campbell’s memoir of the same name.
Jim Hanas, “Mother Miami”
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan credits Miami University with his intellectual formation. Hanas, a fellow alum, presents a shocking tour of this Midwestern hotbed of rest.
Hosted by CHARLES STAR
Speaker Bios
DAVID HILL (@davehill77) is a contributing writer for Grantland and a member of the sketch comedy group The Charlies. His writing has appeared in McSweeney’s and The New York Times. Metta World Peace called Hill an “amazing writer” and “the future.”
PHIL CAMPBELL is the author of the memoir Grassroots, which was recently made into a film by director Stephen Gyllenhaal, starring Jason Biggs as Campbell. He’s currently finishing a second book, a debut satirical novel. Campbell is also producing the documentary I’m with Phil, about an international relief effort of Phil Campbells that he led to the tornado-stricken town of Phil Campbell, Alabama. His website is www.iamphilcampbell.com.
JAY DIXIT has written about psychology for Psychology Today, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Wired, and Slate. His work appears in The Best of Technology Writing anthology. Find him at twitter.com/jaydixit.
JIM HANAS, Miami ’91, is a co-producer of Adult Education and the social media editor at The New York Observer.
CHARLES STAR is sort of a comedian and sort of a lawyer. In addition to hosting Adult Education, he hosts the stand-up showcase “Pant-Hoot” at Lincoln Park Tavern on the second Thursday of the month.