2020 Darwin Day Special Nights
This View of Science
10, 11, 12 February 2020
On February 12 in 1809, Charles Robert Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England,. On the Origins of Species published by Darwin in 1859 changed the world literally overnight and the impact has continued even now. Darwin’s birth day 12 February is the International Darwin Day. Special events are held to celebrate his achievement and to promote the sense of wonder around the world.
Darwin conclueded On The Origin of Species with “this view of life.” The main theme of this year’s Darwin Day event at the Liberal Arts Lab Darwin Room is “This View of Science” It consists of three nights Darwin Discourse from 10 to 12 February. The host of the talk events will be Masataka Watanabe who is a leading Darwin researcher and science writer in Japan.
☆Special Talk Events
The First Night: 10 February 19:30～21:30
The Delight of Science Essay
Hazuki Saisyou + Masataka Watanabe
Science essays are one of the genres that talk about science. In Japan, there are traditions beginning with Torahiko Terada and Ukichiro Nakatani, but the origin might be sought in the classic diary literatures as The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon that refer to the changing seasons. Tonight we will talk about the delight of science essays.
The Second Night: 11 February 18:00 ~ 20:00
How to enjoy evolution from Steve Gould
Makio Mukai+Masataka Watanabe
Stephen Jay Gould, the author of the classic popular science book Wonderful Life, was a prominent evolutionary biologist and science essay expert. His themes include not only science, but also pop topics such as Mickey Mouse, Hershey’s Choco Bar, and Major League Baseball. Dr. Mukai who is a great Gould fan and also known as Major League enthusiast will talk about how to enjoy evolution from Gould.
The Third Night: 12 February 19:30～21:30
Futoshiki Ueki+Masataka Watanabe
The Super Darwin Prize as You Like
The Darwin Awards is a black joke and parody of the theory of natural selection. Regardless of it, we will select our own Super Darwin Prize that is bestowed on the funny trials of science with a science writer Futoshiki Ueki, the author of Our Sorrow Super Weapons.
Organized by Darwin Room
Co‒organized by Japanese Association for Science Communication (JASC)
Host and Guests
Masataka Watanabe
Professor Masataka Watanabe is an evolutionary Biologist by education and a science writer by trade and the president of JASC. He is an author of six books and a co‒author of three books about history of science and evolutionary biology. He also translated over 50 English popular science books into Japanese including almost all books written by Stephen Jay Gould and On The Origin of Species.
Hazuki Saisyou
Ms. Hazuki Saisyou is a nonfiction writer. Her work covers from the relation between science and human, sports, to mental health. She has won a lot of literary awards.
Makio Mukai
Dr. Makio Mukai worked at Keio University Hospital as a senior pathologist more than 30 years. He loves Major League Baseball, S.J.Gould and his wife who is the first woman astronaut in Japan. He is also a bestselling author of a collection of essays.
Futoshiki Ueki
Mr. Futishiki Ueki is a science writer with a reputation for humor. His latest book Our Sorrow Super Weapons digs up a lot of funny ideas for super weapons.