Years ago, at a dinner party in Jackson, Tennessee, I found myself surrounded by members of a distinctive subculture: potato chip engineers. The casual question, “What do you do?” led to a detailed explanation of a machine in the local Pringles factory. The Pringles are spread out in a line as they are shaped and baked, and then those lightweight, brittle crisps have to be shifted into a stack to be sealed in a can. It takes a carefully calibrated machine to get that job done without breaking them all.
MIT Day of Action!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Sunday, April 15, 2018
A year ago, a group of MIT students, faculty and staff joined together to create a day of learning focused on critical issues of our times. The day provided a full calendar of lectures, panels and information sessions on topics ranging from nuclear disarmament, sustainabiilty, foreign, national and economic policy, climate change, social justice issues, activism and many more. The day was an incredible success with over 1500 people participating throughout the day and evening.
The Monsters We Create
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Saturday, February 24, 2018
One of the gems of our community is the MIT Press which publishes 220 books yearly, primarily focusing on science, technology and invention. It’s a special moment, however, when one book becomes a bit of a sensation.
Looking Forward
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Although 2018 has begun, early January remains a time for us here at Radius to reflect on the past semester and do some "catch-up"--on administrative work, reading, and assessment of what worked well during the Fall semester and what we can improve and/or adjust. January is also the time for intense planning for the semester. This current blizzard, though, is giving us an additional day of quiet: just the kind of day to catch up on podcasts.
The Power of Storytelling
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, October 23, 2017
My lunch hour today was unlike any I’ve ever had at MIT. I attended the first—of what I hope will be many—storytelling events as part of the Women’s League new initiative, MITell, lead by Staff Associate, Kirsty Bennett. MITell invites all members of the MIT community to come together and share stories. A group of approximately 25 community members of all ages gathered to listen and and to tell stories.
Hack Your Mind: How Does Mindfulness Meditation Change the Mind and Brain
Posted by:
Ryan Higgins and Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, October 2, 2017
In the fall of 2014, a group of us met and brainstormed about ways to bring the benefits of mindfulness more broadly to the MIT community. MIT Medical offers programs throughout the year and other “islands” of practitioners offer quiet moments for those who seek to create more calm in their lives.
The Magic of Words
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
It's only Wednesday and the week has already been a rich and busy one with the importance of words taking center stage—the power of words, the magic of words, the need to use just the right words. Our undergraduate seminar, Language, Information and Power, continues to be filled with fascinating and thoughtful reading and conversation. Last evening, we grappled with the difference between intentionally or non-intentionally using words to harm others. If one has good intentions, but the outcome is negative, are we culpable nonetheless?
Are we ready?
Posted by:
Thea Keith-Lucas
Thursday, September 7, 2017
I remember it so clearly: I was sitting outside during my first weekend of college, a book open in my lap. It was my first assignment, from my first religion course. Problems of Religious Thought sounded like it would be fun, based on what I knew from my high-school World Religions course. And then I tried to read Søren Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling. After I puzzled my way through perhaps ten of the 200 pages we were assigned, I looked up and thought: Oh no. I’m not ready for this.
Words to Live By
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, June 12, 2017
It's very quiet on campus today. Now that the semester is over and graduation festitivies have come to an end, a peaceful, calm atmosphere prevails. There is almost a palable sense of an expansive exhalation. We here at Radius are exhaling as well. We would like to thank all of our friends, colleagues, partners, collaborators and advisors for a fascinating, inspiring year. We will be taking some time off for the summer months; however, the planning, reading, and researching will continue as we gear up for the coming academic year.
The Three S's
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Now that classes and finals are over and the community awaits graduation festivities, the campus is quieter and calmer. Although the energy and excitement of the school year will be missed, we now have a chance to reflect on the year. We were very busy here at Radius, sponsoring and co-sponsoring many events that tackled topics ranging from environmental justice and sustainablity to nuclear weapons.
