Every day we are faced with persuasive messages. Some of these persuasive messages are misinformation (or disinformation). If we understand why misinformation can persuade us, then we can inoculate ourselves. We will examine the psychological processes involved in the persuasion of misinformation and propaganda. We will also discuss and practice strategies that can be applied to evaluate the validity of information and to prevent the psychological effects of misinformation.

Let’s explore the underlying reasons for the deep pleasure we find in reading fiction. On one level, the answer is as simple as what Roman poet Horace required of poetry —that it “instruct and delight.”  We learn and we enjoy.  But there are other levels.  What reading fiction does for us and to us is really quite remarkable.  Look at this two-hour session as skimming the surface of answering the title questions and setting the stage for a lengthier exploration in a winter, 2027 multi-session course.

Birken is a Canadian Theravada Buddhist Monastery surrounded by forests and marsh lands.  It operates almost entirely off-grid with a high level of energy efficiency.  For over 2,500 years the monastic tradition has survived solely on the generous support of the lay community.  In return, monastics provide dhamma teachings and spiritual mentorship.  Guests are welcome to stay for a retreat or to experience the monastery on a day visit.  Guests are also welcome to contribute and partake in the lunchtime meal at 11:30 am.  The Abbot, Ajahn Sona is deeply interested in ecological movements at both practical and philosophical levels.  While Ajahn Sona gives Dhamma talks on his YouTube channel and he guides the green design technologies and principles of the monastery

On our visit, our guide will be a monastic who will familarize us with the outside space as well as the beautiful meditation sala.  We will also partake in the lunchtime meal at 11:30 am. There will be time for participants to spend time in quiet reflection both in the meditation sala or the walking paths.

B.C.’s DRIPA refers to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, passed unanimously in 2019. It establishes the UN Declaration (UNDRIP) as the framework for provincial reconciliation. Recent court rulings sparked a political crisis, leading Premier David Eby to delay planned legislative adjustments to the fall.   Murray will discuss the Act, ammendments, and what it all means for British Columbians.

The Mount Paul Community Food Centre (CFC) is a welcoming space for all.  It was created in 2017.  With dignified and low barrier programs, the centre creates services aimed at combatting food security concerns in the community.  The centre offers between 20 and 25 programs, depending on the time of year, focused on food access, food skills, advocacy and gardening. These include community meals, food skills classes, a community pantry, food hamper delivery, a market of affordable produce, garden programs and supports for seniors.  It serves between 750 and 1000 people every week.  The centre operates under the non-profit Interior Community Services and is part of a national network under Right to Food.  The Mount Paul Community Food Centre was recognized as the Not For Profit of the Year in 2021 by the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce.

This course will examine the Disney musicals that have been adapted for the stage. Particular attention will be paid to the work of legendary Disney composers, the Sherman brothers and Alan Menken. Musicals will include Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Hercules and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The second Come to the Concert class of the semester, titled Gut Feeling: an Evening of Early Music, is of historical interest, especially if you play, or you are thinking of playing a stringed instrument.  Members of the KSO Chamber players (strings and flute) are playing a programme of music from the 17th and 18th centuries, a time when strings were made from gut, not metal, flutes were wood, not metal and, overall, the resulting sound was noticeably different.  The concert programme (not available yet) will embody this different sound and will illustrate the musical forms and styles popular at the time.

Learn how the City of Kamloops is advancing climate action through its Community Climate Action Plan.  This presentation provides an overview of the Plan’s eight strategic focus areas, or “Big Moves,” and explores how they support a low-carbon, resilient community by reducing emissions, improving transportation and buildings, and minimizing waste.

Burkas2Bullets, winner of 5 International Film Festivals, features 4 Combat Camera tours in Afghanistan showcasing the NATO mission with a focus on Afghan Police & Military women. It shows Afghanistan during a time of hope, progress, and a semblance of Democracy. Tragically that ended in 2021 with Afghanistan retaken by the Taliban and Gender Apartheid imposed on all girls and women.

This session will explore how attention works, how it helps guide our everyday behaviour, and some of its limitations. We’ll look at what changes in the brain, including examples such as spatial neglect, can teach us about how attention is organized and supported by the brain. We’ll then introduce working memory, how it works together with attention, and how both of these important cognitive processes may change as we age.

The Ancient Greek philosopher, Empedocles, described the physical world and its phenomena in terms of four ‘roots’; Fire, Air, Earth and Water.  Phenomena and materials were supposed to arise by combinations and interactions of these when mediated by love and conflict. Later philosophers described these things as ‘elements’ and the term is still applied in a literary sense. Much later, ‘elements’ became applied scientifically to the more than 118 types of atoms that form all regular matter.  The detailed study of the formation and properties of the elements makes up the modern subjects of nuclear physics and chemistry. The four traditional elements make up the world about us so we will look at some of the properties, compositions and characteristics of each from the viewpoint of modern science.  The talks will contain aspects of Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Meteorology, General Science and History.

“Men don’t talk face to face; they talk shoulder to shoulder”.  A Men’s Shed is a space where men gather to work on projects that are fun and help out their community.  Together they create, tinker, drink coffee and tell stories. Men’s Sheds are for men of all ages. Men’s Shed is worldwide, community-based and non-commercial. A Shed fosters a supportive community where men can engage in meaningful projects, learn new skills and combat isolation.  This might be a perfect fit for you or someone you know.