Presentation Summaries

AIKIDO
Akido is a Japanese Martial Art which emphasizes using one’s own energy to gain control of an enemy or to throw the enemy out of the way. Those skilled in Akido find it to be a self-defense technique, spiritual enlightenment or peace of mind. It is a "development of harmony and peace," and those who practice Akido will get from it what they need. This will be an interactive workshop so be prepared to use your energy and to find peace of mind.

AMERICAN TRANSCENDENTALISM AND LUMINISM: Energy Transfer from Word and Thought to Image
The transfer of energy from the natural environment to the painted canvas and finally to the viewer permeates the themes of American Luminist painting of the nineteenth century. Transcendentalism, through the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, influenced and informed this movement through the paintings of Fitz Hugh Lane. A slide discussion will be presented on the topic of the influence of Transcendental thought on Luminist painting.

CHEMICAL ENERGY IN OUR DAILY LIVES
From the batteries in our cell phones to the gasoline that we pump into our cars’gas tanks, we are constantly converting chemical energy from one form to another. This presentation will explain some of the ways in which chemical energy is utilized to our advantage every day. In addition, emerging forms of energy will be discussed along with the consequences of their use.

CONFRONTING THE ENERGY CHALLENGE: a panel of local experts
The presentation will feature alternatives to the growing energy crisis, addressing global warning, the anticipated shortages of fossil fuels, the dangers of nuclear power, the possibilities for alternative sources of energy, renewable energy, and the energy efficiencies in production and consumption.

THE DAILY GRIND: WOMEN AND WORK IN AFRICA
In this slide-illustrated presentation Professor Pires takes us on a tour of the daily lives of some of the most courageous people in Africa. An old proverb states that "women hold up half the sky." At the conclusion of this tour, you will be left wondering how one got away with such an understatement. From pre-dawn food preparation and early

Morning farm work, to afternoon outings to haul water and fetch firewood, often with babies strapped to their backs, African women exhibit inner and outer strength that would leave many energetic Westerners completely exhausted just thinking about it. Come learn about the courage these women display as they face the daily grind. You will never look at your microwave, Moulinex, or Maytag in quite the same way again.

DRUMMING CIRCLE/AFRICAN DANCE WORKSHOP
The drum is one of the most ancient instruments and was used to communicate with the gods through sound and rhythm as well as to build a unified community energy within a society. Drumming can generate enormous group power As your body sways to the beat of the drum, you may also learn the dances of Africa. Come and energize our community! No experience needed!

ELECTRIC/MAGNETIC/METAPHOR: An Interactive Writing Workshop
(Chat and lab)
Bring a pen and paper, and come ready to think, listen, write, create.

Like electricity and magnetism, metaphor is "live": metaphor exists when the mind arcs a current through previously uncharged space, connects pole to pole. In this presentation, the participants will investigate metaphor’s power to articulate, communicate, and even transform – across age, time, culture and place – human experience. The group will then be guided through a workshop, with some time for feed back and revision, and with time to share the new writing we’ll create together. The group will draw on the conscious and subconscious mind and will aim for the real, the live, the arc, the connection.

ENERGY AND WATER: A WORLD IN CRISIS – Too many questions, too little time…
What are the implications of the Natural Gas Shortage that Alan Greenspan has just announced? Is the power outage of August 14th a sign of things to come? Why has the summer heat wave in Europe killed 10,000 French citizens?

Many in the business community have called water "The oil of the 21st Century." What energy alternatives are out there? Is the "hydrogen community" really going to be our savior? Is there time to prevent crisis? These questions and more will be answered questions during this presentation.

ENERGY MARKETS
Oil is the largest cash commodity in the world. It is also the most important as it drives the world economy. Being such an important commodity, the production of crude oil is often driven by political considerations.

The supply and the cost of crude oil have undergone major changes in the last three decades. In the 1970’s about 70% of all crude oil was sold by the OPEC, and they had the market power to increase oil prices by imposing an oil embargo. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, however, Saudi Arabia assumed the role of swing producer and price stabilizer. As a result, oil prices dropped in the 1990’s even as the world economy was growing.

Crude oil, by itself, is no economic value. It gains value when it is "cracked" into three products: gasoline, heating oil, and diesel. Since the cost of crude oil constitutes over 85% of total refining costs, the prices of these products fluctuate with the price of crude oil.

The combination of the importance of oil and its volatility has resulted in the development of energy futures markets after 1978. Today we have the cash market and also, the futures markets on which these products are traded. This seminar will focus on the development and the use of these markets for price discovery, reduction of risk and synthetic storage.

THE ENERGY OF CULTURAL SURVIVAL
Through the support of international non-government organizations and autonomous schools and communities, Mayan cultural and educational groups are channeling enormous energy into reclaiming cultural identity through developing an extensive archive of written material, films, and music reflecting indigenous history, languages and traditions. They write and perform theater pieces based on legends as well as contemporary issues, such as women’s rights, societal conflicts, and their struggles for cultural survival.

One of the movements that has had the greatest impact in resisting the forced exculturation of indigenous people in Mexican schools and society is the Zapatistas. This year the autonomous, indigenous communities of Chiapas are planning grand celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of the Zapatista uprising this New Year’s Eve. These inspirational Mayan people

For more information about the Energy Conference contact Dr. Joan Digby at 516-299-2480 or email joan.digby@liu.edu.