Tag: RMA

rma-graphic-march-22-2024

RMA Presents “Major Bridges in North America – Design and Construction Challenges”

Mike Abrahams discussed highlights from his career as a structural engineer on several major American bridge construction projects. The Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon made history by including the lift of the central span into place using 32 hydraulic jacks, at the time the heaviest lift ever completed. Closer to home, Mike described the replacement of the Kosciuszko Bridge of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between 2016 and 2019.
rma-graphic-march-15-2024

RMA Presents “How Greenwich Communities Can Save Greenwich from Over-Development”

Tony Johnson and Sam Romeo answered 10 questions pre-submitted by the RMA audience. They touched on the provisions of the 8-30g law, the low availability of affordable housing in Greenwich, and the need for Greenwich to reach a 10% threshold within 10 years. They said that Greenwich Communities works to increase the number of affordable housing units in Greenwich to help maintain local control over the housing issue.
rma-graphic-march-8-2024

RMA Presents “The Story of the H.L Hunley”

Phil Vitiello, a Civil War historian and re-enactor, recounted the remarkable story of the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy ship with a torpedo during the Civil War. This innovative submarine, funded by Horace Lawson Hunley, successfully sank the Union ship USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on February 18, 1864, marking a pivotal moment in naval warfare history. However, the Hunley never returned to base, and was lost for over 130 years until its discovery and raising in 2000, unveiling preserved remains of its crew and artifacts that shed light on its extraordinary journey.
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RMA Presents “The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination”

Stuart Reid discussed the rise and fall of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected leader of the Congo post-independence from Belgium in 1960, highlighting Belgium's oppressive colonial legacy and Lumumba's emergence as a self-taught political figure. Lumumba's inexperienced government faced immediate challenges after independence, including a mutiny in the army and the secession of the mineral-rich Katanga province, leading to his appeals for UN, US, and Soviet support, and eventual assassination orchestrated by his political opponents with tacit support from the CIA. Reid concluded that the US choice to support Mobutu over Lumumba has had lasting negative impacts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with ongoing instability and conflict rooted in these historical events.
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RMA Presents “Moving beyond nudges: The role of behavioral science in solving some of the most complex social and economic issues of our time”

Josh Wright, the Executive Director of ideas42, is a leader in applied behavioral science with a background in various leadership roles including at the US Treasury Department, and holds degrees from Wesleyan University and Yale School of Management. He introduced ideas42, an organization that applies behavioral science to address global issues such as poverty and education, and shared insights on human decision-making quirks and the significant role of context over personality traits. Wright discussed real-world applications of behavioral science, including improving college completion rates through interventions that address students' sense of belonging and tackling poverty by understanding the cognitive effects of scarcity on decision-making.
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RMA Presents: “After 80 Years, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Looks to the Future.”

Vice-Admiral Joanna M. Nunan is the first woman superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, with a distinguished 35-year career in the Coast Guard and an M.B.A. from R.P.I. The Academy, founded in 1943, has a mission to educate merchant marine officers for service in national security and the maritime industry. Admiral Nunan's presentation covered the Academy's history, the essential role of the Merchant Marine in U.S. naval defense and national prosperity, and addressed a recent sexual assault case, concluding with a sobering remark on the fitness of today's youth for service.
jennifer-homans

RMA Presents “Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century”

Dr. Homans gave a detailed account of her extensive research and personal experiences in writing a book about the life and work of George Balanchine, whom she considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. She delved into Balanchine's multifaceted personality, his profound influence on the world of dance, and the challenges Dr. Homans faced in uncovering his inner thoughts and desires due to his limited writings. She also explored Balanchine's complex relationships, his enduring impact on the world of dance, and his deep-seated passion for his art, offering a comprehensive insight into the life of this iconic figure of the dance world.
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RMA Presents “Histories of Asian Imperialism and Today’s China”

The lecture by Professor Westad focused on the historical context of Asian imperialism, China's international reforms, and their global economic consequences. He emphasized the need for the US to employ measures such as deterrence and improved communication to manage tensions and avoid potential conflicts in its relationship with China. The Q&A session addressed various topics, including China's military influence, its relationship with Russia, and the implications of its economic support for North Korea.
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RMA Presents “From Search Engine to Generative AI: How ChatGPT Changed the World in a Few Months”

Dr. Rick Lawrence discussed the differences between the Google search engine, which uses the PageRank algorithm to display verbatim text from reliable websites, and artificial intelligence (AI), which can create new responses based on a large database but may not always be accurate. He also addressed the capabilities of AI, the challenges of regulating AI, and the potential impact of AI on society, including issues such as misinformation, job elimination, and the responsibility for regulating AI. Further research is needed to determine whether and how AI can be controlled to behave ethically.
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RMA Presents “Cannabinoids and Cooking”

Dr. Joseph Feuerstein, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia and Quinnipiac, discussed his book "The Cannabinoid Cookbook," co-authored with celebrity chef Daniel Green, which explores how to use herbs and spices to improve health without CBD or hemp products. He highlighted the use of natural foods like black pepper, turmeric, basil, rosemary, flax, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon to enhance sleep, mood, and reduce stress. Additionally, he shared a video of Chef Daniel preparing a dish that provides essential nutrients, promoting good cholesterol, blood pressure, and mimicking the effect of insulin in the body.
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