Talks at Google

Author Harry Parker visits Google to discuss his book "Hybrid Humans: Dispatches from the Frontiers of Man and Machine". This book is a gripping, eye-opening firsthand account of how technology is altering our understanding of what it means to be human. Harry Parker’s life changed overnight when he lost his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan. He now wears prosthetic legs from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed, reliant on them to move about the world. The tech he relies on is now so advanced it can seem as good, if not better, than human biology. But the benefits and freedom it gives him come with costs: the cost of pain, of damage to his body, of being stared at and being seen as other, of anxiety and dependence. In "Hybrid Humans", Parker takes us on a journey at the frontiers of man and machine, meeting those pushing the limits of our bodies and brains—the former soldiers having cutting-edge osseointegration, the very first DIY cyborgs and biohackers tinkering in garages, and the scientists, surgeons, artists, and disabled pioneers developing the latest robotics and implants. Grappling with his own new identity and disability along the way, Parker traces how new technologies might lead us to powerful, liberating possibilities for what a body can be—and how to be human is to be hybrid. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

13 Sep 202258min

What is it about Star Trek that has proved so durable - not to say indestructible? Over half a century after its unpromising beginnings, how and why has Star Trek expanded and captured the imaginations and hearts of so many adherents, many of whom have gone onto distinguished careers in space exploration, working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Nasa, SpaceX, and Blue Origin? In 1981, Nicholas Meyer was something less than a true believer when he was asked to direct the troubled second Star Trek film, The Wrath of Khan. Already a bestselling author and successful director, he had never been a fan of the TV series. But as he began to ponder the appeal of Kirk & Spock’s adventures, he realized that their story was a classical nautical tale transplanted into space - armed with that insight, he set out on his mission: to revitalize Star Trek. Originally published in April of 2019. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

9 Sep 202249min

Most of us eat three meals a day, plus a smattering of snacks, because we think that’s the normal, healthy way to eat. Mark Mattson’s book, “The Intermittent Fasting Revolution,” argues why that’s not the case. The human body and brain evolved to function well in environments where food could be obtained only intermittently. When we look at the eating patterns of our distant ancestors, we can see that periods of fasting are normal—and eating three meals a day is not. In “The Intermittent Fasting Revolution”, prominent neuroscientist Mark Mattson shows that intermittent fasting is not only normal but also good for us; it can enhance our ability to cope with stress by making cells more resilient. It also improves mental and physical performance and protects against aging and disease. Intermittent fasting is not the latest fad diet; it doesn’t dictate food choice or quantity. It doesn’t make money for the pharmaceutical, processed food, or health care industries. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that includes frequent periods of time with little or negligible amounts of food. It is often accompanied by weight loss, but, Mattson says, studies show that its remarkably beneficial effects cannot be accounted for by weight loss alone. Mattson describes the specific ways that intermittent fasting slows aging; reduces the risk of diseases, including obesity, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes; and improves both brain and body performance. Moderated by Sanders Kleinfeld. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

6 Sep 20221h

Journalist Annie Jacobsen visits Google to discuss her book "The Pentagon's Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America's Top-Secret Military Research Agency". Ms. Jacobsen has written the first history of the Defense Department's most secret, most powerful, and most controversial military science research & development agency. She draws on inside sources, exclusive interviews, private documents, and declassified memos to paint a picture of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, from its Cold War inception in 1958 to the present. Annie Jacobsen is an investigative journalist and bestselling author who writes about war, weapons, U.S. national security and government secrecy. Her 2011 non-fiction bestseller, AREA 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base, has been published in five languages and is being made into an AMC scripted television series. Her 2014 non-fiction bestseller, OPERATION PAPERCLIP: The Secret Intelligence Program That Brought Nazi Scientists to America, has been published in five languages and is being adapted for television. Originally published in October of 2015. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

2 Sep 202248min

Fatima Al-Banawi visits Google to discuss her career and her project entitled The Other Story, a collection of real life stories and personal narratives from locals and visitors to her hometown of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These collections enter the social arena through storytelling to highlight our shared humanity and to record the eclectic voices of a specific place and time in history. Fatima Al-Banawi is an internationally acclaimed actress, filmmaker, and writer with a masters degree from Harvard university. She believes in the power of storytelling as a way to channel vulnerable and intimate conversations, which helped her to earn the title of the 2018 Next Generation Leader by Time Magazine. In 2016, she became internationally recognized for her debut in the award winning Saudi feature film, Barakah Meets Barakah, which helped pave the way for Saudi Arabian cinema. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

30 Aug 20221h 8min

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted Pluto out of planethood. Far from the sun, tiny, and eccentric in orbit, it's a wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during the mounting debate over Pluto's status, Americans rallied behind this extraterrestrial underdog. The year of Pluto's discovery, Disney created the iconic cartoon puppy by the same name, and, as one NASA scientist put it, Pluto was "discovered by an American for America." Pluto is entrenched in our cultural, patriotic view of the cosmos, and famed astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson is on a quest to discover why. Perhaps only Tyson can tell this story: he was involved in the first exhibits to demote Pluto, and consequently, Pluto lovers have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet classification and America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf. Originally published in February of 2009. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

26 Aug 20221h 14min

Dr. Myron Rolle visits Google to discuss his book "The 2% Way: How a Philosophy of Small Improvements Took Me to Oxford, the NFL, and Neurosurgery". This book tells the story of his incredible journey, revealing how a strong work ethic, deep faith, and the family values instilled by his Bahamian immigrant parents set the stage for the transformative life philosophy that enabled him to overcome adversity, defy expectations, and create a life of meaning and purpose. Not long ago, Myron L. Rolle was a college football player recruited by the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He faced a kind of hyper-successful future that most children only dream about—especially a kid who had to fight stereotypes at every turn. But he had different dreams. He had trained his whole life to win big in both football and medicine. The sports world had difficulty understanding his intellect and the medical world had difficulty grasping his passion for neurosurgery and football. Both require a kind of diligence that borders on fanaticism. Now, as a Harvard neurosurgeon, Dr. Rolle is on the frontlines facing off against his latest opponent, COVID-19. We are clearly not going to eradicate the virus overnight, but if we use THE 2% WAY, we are certain to overcome this powerful adversary. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

23 Aug 202243min

After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In her book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment. In her book, "Mindset", Dweck offers new insights into her now famous and broadly embraced concept. She introduces a phenomenon she calls false growth mindset and guides people toward adopting a deeper, truer growth mindset. She also expands the mindset concept beyond the individual, applying it to the cultures of groups and organizations. With the right mindset, you can motivate those you lead, teach, and love—to transform their lives and your own. Originally published in July of 2015. Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to watch the video.

19 Aug 202249min