When I was growing up, volunteering in a concrete, organized way--except for our church--was not part of my life. In addition to church volunteering, my mother would readily help neighbors and family members--a drive to the doctor's office or the market, a meal delivered. We were always exhorted to help those who were less fortunate than ourselves, but organized, community volunteering was not part of our family's life.
Being. Doing. Thinking. Or Not!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Each spring semester, Radius co-hosts an undergraduate ethics seminar with the Philosophy Department. Departing from a more academic-styled class, the seminar, Being. Thinking. Doing. (Or Not!): Ethics in Your Life, is a free-wheeling, relaxed dinner with ample opportunity for exploration and discussion. Held every Tuesday evening, we usually host an expert in a field (activism, the environment, sustainable economies, gentrification, bio-ethics, military spending) who shares his/her expertise and then we open it up to questions and discussion.
Martin Luther King: Beyond Vietnam
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, January 18, 2016
On April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City, Martin Luther King delivered a speech, "Beyond Vietnam", meticulously outlining the reasons for his public protest against the United State's war in Vietnam. The speech was to create a furor and many, who had previously supported MLK's work, turned against him. He stated that he realized that "silence is betrayal" and that he had to speak out, even against the very administration that had been supporting his causes.
IAP: Radius' Picks!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, January 4, 2016
Each January, MIT offers the community an opportunity to explore topics and activities that may not be available during the regular academic year.
Reclaim Yourself!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Think of uni-tasking as the next big thing. In every domain of life, it will increase performance and decrease stress.
Scott I Paradise: April 6, 1929-September 13, 2015
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, September 14, 2015
During his tenure from 1978 to his retirement in 1994, I had the honor of working with The Rev. Scott I. Paradise, the convener of the Technology and Culture Forum and the Episcopal Chaplain at MIT. When I first started working with Scott in the mid-1980's, it was admittedly a great part-time job to help get me through graduate school. However, as I spent time with Scott and worked on our projects and programs together, I was changed, even transformed.
Sabbath
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, August 31, 2015
Oliver Sacks, acclaimed author and neurologist, died this past Sunday. Known for his acute observations, deep commitment to his patients, and best-selling case histories such as "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" and "Awakenings", Dr. Sacks wrote with honesty and compassion. As it became clear that his own life was coming to an end, Dr. Sacks mused eloquently about his life and impending death.
Education for Life
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Friday, August 7, 2015
Last week, the New York Times published an article in their "Education Life" section entitled How to Live Wisely. Written by Richard J. Light, a professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, the article begins by posing the question: If you were Dean for A Day, what one change would you make on campus to enhance students' lives?
Third Planet from the Sun
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Last week, NASA's New Horizons interplanetary probe made its way to Pluto and the outer reaches of our solar system, after an almost-10 year voyage. The photos sent back were extraordinary in their clarity and sharpness--an incredible feat across the 3 billion miles. It gives one pause. This incredible scientific and technological accomplishment inspires awe and wonder, as does the vastness of our solar system and the universe.
Wise Words
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, May 4, 2015
All semester, we've been having substantive and challenging conversations in our Tuesday evening ethics seminar. Usually, a guest talks about his or her area of expertise and then we launch into questions and answers and lively discussion. Last week, we invited 4 MIT students to talk about their active participation in social, environmental, or political issues. The presentations were fascinating and inspiring. What we learned was that the presenters had chosen a specific arena in which to be active.