WWI and WWII

This is the tale of the war that cast a shadow over human civilization. A time when all of our greatest achievements were unleashed as nightmares. From poison gas to atomic bombs. From scientific racism to civilian bombings. From the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the suicide of Adolf Hitler. World War I and World War II are directly connected. Hundreds of years from now it will most likely be remembered as a single narrative of war.

This is a story about glory, empire, invention, and human suffering. It will see Emperors fall, revolutionary visionaries rise, and the unnatural deaths of over 100 million people.

Churchill, Wilson, Truman, Bismarck, Hitler, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mao, Hirohito are all leaders who brought bold answers to the daunting questions of their time.

What started it? What happened? And will awareness prevent it from happening again?

(pictured: the firebombing of Dresden)

WWI and WWII
Thursday, February 19th.
8pm-9:30pm
$5 Unit 102 (46 Noble Street)

I thank you heartily for your mediation which begins to give one hope that all may yet end peacefully. It is technically impossible to stop our military preparation... We are far from wishing war... I put all my trust in Gods mercy and hope in your successful mediation in Vienna for the welfare of our countries and for the peace of Europe.

Your affectionate
Nicky

(excerpt from the Willy-Nicky telegrams July 31st, 1914)

Ancient Greece

This is a tale of new ideas, ambition, overconfidence, war, and desperation. Come hear about the rise and fall of Athens, the war that "saved the western world", and the legendary stories (the Odyssey and the Iliad) that inspired the Greeks. You'll also meet a cast of unforgettable characters: the sh*t disturbing Socrates, the dreamer Plato, captivating Pericles, the story-weaving historian Thucydides, brash Alcibiades, and more!

After we cover the five most popular trivia questions about Ancient Greece and the major stories that all scholars must learn we'll discuss the brutal realism of Athenian imperial politics, the details of their limited citizenship and democracy, as well as sex and gender in the ancient world (including same-sex relationships like the Sacred Band of Thebes).

The echoes of the Ancient Greeks continue to resonate in our world. Their spirit was revived during the Renaissance and continues to touch our movies ("This is Sparta!"), government, modern Olympics, architecture, theater, philosophy, and art (pictured: The School of Athens).

Ancient Greece
Thursday, February 5th.
8pm-9:30pm
$5 Unit 102 (46 Noble Street)

"It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won."
Thucydides
History of the Peloponnesian War

The French Revolution and the Rise and Fall of Napoleon

The French Revolution is a story about bold ideals, human rights, betrayal, war, violence, and one of the most discussed conquerors in history, Napoleon.

Come find out why French history from 1793-94 has been labeled the Reign of Terror, why chopping off people's heads with a falling blade was seen as a humane practice, and how 18th century democracy was born in blood. We'll also cover Napoleon's wild successes, his great blunder in Russia, and the comeback that shook the world.

We'll also discuss the Princess and the Pea, Maid in Manhattan (spoiler alert: this film is awful), and why this generation finds Charles Dickens to be boring,

The French Revolution
and
the Rise and Fall of Napoleon

Thursday,
January 22nd.

8pm-9:30pm

$5 Unit 102 (46 Noble Street)

In the words of Thomas Jefferson: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure." (1787)

The Roman Empire

This lecture will be the story of Rome. It is an enormous tale that spans over eight-hundred years with a memorable cast of characters (including Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Spartacus, Hannibal, and Jesus).

In one hour you'll have a grasp of the Roman Empire, a burning desire to read Plutarch, and you'll be able to answer the five most popular trivia questions about Rome.

Roman influence is still under the surface of our culture. We can see traces of Rome in our laws, words, calendars, education, monuments, and entertainment. We can also ask questions about the nature of Empire and what the Romans can teach us about democracy, the Iraq war, and what it means to be a good person.

The Roman Empire

Thursday,
January 8th.

8pm-9:30pm

$5 Unit 102 (46 Noble Street)

(Facebook Event here)

All the Philosophy

The most ambitious KnowMore lecture yet. All the Philosophy is a one hour introduction to the great thinkers in Western history.

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Darwin, Nietzsche, Freud, Wittgenstein and many more! Get the lowdown on the key players for your philosophy Fantasy Draft!

You'll hear about each philosopher in a nutshell. A straightforward introduction, a few details, and encouragement to pick your favourites and read their work.

(in rows starting top left: Kant, upside-down Hegel, Freud, Darwin, Hobbes, Thoreau, Locke's eyes, Socrates, Machiavelli, Rousseau, Hume, Nietzsche)

All the Philosophy.
Thursday, December 11th.
8pm-9:30pm
$5
Unit 102 (46 Noble Street)

Communism. Capitalism. (Marx Vs. Pennybags)

The next KnowMore lecture will cover communism and capitalism.

We'll look at simple definitions of these often used terms. We'll also touch upon Karl Marx's prediction of a worker revolution (and explain the terms "proletariat" and "bourgeoisie").

Before it's all over, you'll have the context to understand Che Guevara, Mao Zedong, Vladimir Lenin -and even Ivan Drago from Rocky IV.

One night only. Saturday, November 29th. 8pm.

Who the f*ck is Friedrich Nietzsche?

The first lecture will be an introduction to Friedrich Nietzsche. He's a great thinker for the KnowMore Lectures. I chose him because his work is often taught in snobby, elitist ways. Really, his concepts are quite bold and simple. I'll bring his work alive with relevant, practical examples. I aim to impress you by being entertaining and clear.

You'll leave feeling completely comfortable explaining Nietzsche to inquisitive children.

Who is invited?
Anyone who is interested. I thought I'd advertise at some Universities, bookstores, and coffee shops. I have also met many students looking for clarity, performers looking to expand their frame of reference, and other inquisitive minds.

What if I travel a long way in the cold and you turn out to be a madman?
That's a great reason to come!

Why are you doing this?
I wish someone had done this for me.

MAP: Unit 102 (46 Noble Street).
PWYC.
Friday, November 14th
Saturday, November 15th
8pm-9:30pm.