Crossroads Lecture series begins with "The Dragon and the Elephant"

Contributed by Judith Miller

The Crossroads lecture series will soon be underway again!  Subtitled “Ideas for a New Century,” the series presents thoughtful, provocative speakers who help the Orcas community think about timely issues, both local and global.

The spring schedule is as follows.  Tickets for the first lecture are currently available, and tickets for the remaining lectures will become available three weeks before each event.  They may be obtained at Darvill’s Bookstore or the Orcas Library at no cost, although contributions to sustain the series will be much appreciated.

Friday, February 20, 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center

“The Dragon and the Elephant: China, India, and Global Economic Leadership in the 21^st Century”

Joseph Massey, Founding Director of the Center for International Business at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College

In the space of just a single generation, China has roared onto the world economic stage with the highest sustained growth rate since the industrial revolution began, and it looks likely to overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest economy before mid-century.  Hot on its heels is India, whose economy is growing almost as quickly and whose population is expanding much more rapidly.  Joseph Massey will explore the growing rivalry between the two largest nations in the world as they contend for global economic leadership, and will assess the possible consequences for the American economy and our predominant place in world affairs.

Friday March 13, 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center.  Please note that this date has been changed since the series was first announced.

“Reassessing U.S.-Russian Relations in the Obama Administration”

Stephen Hanson, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

How has the election of Barack Obama affected changes in U.S. policy toward Russia, Eurasia, and Europe?  To put the challenges in historical context, Stephen Hanson will survey the main achievements and mistakes of U.S. policy toward the former communist world since the fall of the Berlin wall nearly twenty years ago.  Is a new Cold War in the offing, or can the new administration find a path toward more cooperation with the Russian Federation?

Friday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall

“Building a Climate-Friendly Energy Future”

Eileen Claussen, President of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Strategies for the Global Environment

What will our energy future be?  Can we address climate change successfully and still provide the energy we need to power a growing economy?  What role will coal, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy sources play?  Eileen Claussen will take a sober look at what is possible, and what we will need to get there.

Saturday, May 23, 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center

“Personalized Medicine: Prescribing the Right Drugs Based on Your Genes”

Russ Biagio Altman, Professor of Bioengineering, Genetics, and Medicine, Stanford University

The process of approving drugs ensures that drugs are safe and effective … on average.  However, a particular medication may work well for one person with no side effects, while for others the side effects are unbearable or the medication doesn’t help.  In this lecture for a lay audience, Russ Altman will explain how physicians will be able to use genetics to find the right drug at the right dose for each individual patient.