From: jwee@mail.arc.nasa.gov (Jan Wee)
Subject: FYI: Upcoming Life in the Universe Symposium
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 09:16:34 -0500
Dear discuss-lfm members, For your information.... Announcing a Symposium (Second Announcement) LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FROM MARTIAN FOSSILS? November 22, 1996 The Space Policy Institute of George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, in cooperation with The Planetary Society and the National Space Society, is organizing on November 22, 1996 a major symposium discussing the cultural, intellectual, theological, and policy implications of the recent announcement of evidence of long-ago life on Mars and the public's reactions to those findings. Reacting to the August 7 announcement, President Clinton asked Vice President Gore to convene a "space summit on the future of America's space program." The "Life in the Universe" symposium will provide a way for the public to express its views on the appropriate government response to the Mars findings prior to the White House summit. The all-day symposium will be held at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre located at 800 21st Street, NW on the campus of The George Washington University. Admission is free: however, advance registration is required. Funding for the symposium is being provided by the sponsors and the District of Columbia Space Grant Consortium. REGISTRATION REGISTRATION IN ADVANCE IS REQUIRED To register, please provide the following information: 1) Name 2) Organization 3) Phone 4) Fax 5) Email address via: email: marssymp@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu OR fax: (202) 994-1639 OR mail: Space Policy Institute George Washington University 2013 G Street, NW, Suite 201 Washington, DC 20052 For up to date information on the symposium, visit home pages of: Space Policy Institute - http://www.gwu.edu/~spi/ National Space Society - http://www.nss.org The Planetary Society - http://planetary.org/tps/ PRELIMINARY AGENDA 9:00-9:15 Opening Remarks 9:15-9:45 What Did We Find? Briefing by Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta, ALH84001 team 9:45-10:15 How Will We Know the Findings are Valid? From the perspective of a working scientist - John Grotzinger, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Planetary Sciences, MIT From the perspective of a philosopher of science - Peter Caws, University Professor of Philosophy, GW 10:15-10:30 Break 10:30-11:45 Alien Life in Fiction and Fact - Alien life in science fiction - Kim Stanley Robinson, author, Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars - Humanity's long-time fascination with extraterrestrial life - Steven Dick, Naval Observatory, author, The Biological Universe 11:45-12:15 Critical Factors in New Space Endeavors Bruce Murray, Vice-President, The Planetary Society 12:15-1:30 Lunch Break 1:15-2:30 Putting the Findings in Broad Perspective Panel composed of: Father John Minogue, President, DePaul University Abdel-Monem Al-Mashat, Cultural & Education Attache, Embassy of Egypt John Noble Wilford, The New York Times (Invited) Molly McCauley, economist, Resources for the Future Richard Berendzen, astrophysicist, American University 2:30-3:00 International Interest and Response Roald Sagdeev, University of Maryland, former Director, Space Research Institute, Moscow 3:00-3:15 Break 3:15-4:30 What Response? Public Interest Perspectives Robert Zubrin, Chair, Executive Committee, National Space Society Louis Friedman, Executive Director, The Planetary Society Results of an Internet Survey - Space Policy Institute Other views 4:30-5:00 Next Steps: Reflecting the Public Interest NASA Administrator Dan Goldin ******************************************************************** John M. Logsdon Phone - (202)994-7292 Director, Space Policy Institute and Fax - 994-1639 Center for International Science and Technology Policy George Washington University Washington, DC 20052 -------------------------------------------------------------- Louis Friedman TPS.LDF@MARS.PLANETARY.ORG The Planetary Society FAX: 818-793-5528 http://planetary.org/tps/ ------------------------------------------------------------------