Contact: Leah Barbour
Next week, speakers for Mississippi State's Maroon Edition program will discuss the same topics opening and closing the university's common reading selection: the physics of terrorism and the science of climate change.
"Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines" by Richard Muller, the 2013 selection, begins with "Terrorism" and ends with "Global Warming." The speakers will be featured Tuesday and Wednesday [Sept. 24 and 25] at free, public presentations in McCool Hall's Taylor Auditorium.
Tuesday at 7 p.m., Benjamin Thomas of Oak Ridge (Tenn.) National Laboratory's Global Security Directorate will discuss global security, including the chances of future terrorist attacks.
At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Yoram Bauman, known as "The World's First and Only Stand-Up Economist," will offer a humorous look at economists, carbon pricing and climate change.
Thomas, as director of technology partnerships in the Southeast Region Research Initiative, will discuss various resources his office has developed to assist local, state and other leaders in accessing the tools and methods necessary to forestalling terrorist events.
While Thomas's presentation will explore the chances of future incidents and potential solutions, the Stand-Up Economist's comedy routine will help audience members better appreciate how control of carbon emissions is key to addressing climate change, said Becky Smith, assistant MSU extension professor of agricultural economics.
"Economists study value and changes in value when taxes are imposed, so this is an important issue that affects everyone and is especially interesting to people who want to figure out the most efficient way to implement public policy," Smith said. "In addition to poking fun at economists, the Stand-Up Economist is an expert in global energy policies."
"When I told him about MSU's Maroon Edition's 'Physics for Future Presidents,' he read it and agreed he would address it and discuss implementing a carbon tax," she explained.
After Bauman's presentation, the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at MSU will have copies of the Stand-Up Economist's cartoon books about microeconomics and macroeconomics available, and the author will be on hand for autographs.
Smith said both books provide young readers with clear, manageable discussions of complex economics theories.
"We are very excited that Yoram is coming to MSU," she said. "I wanted to plan the event to highlight all the excellent economics-related majors on campus -- environmental economics, agribusiness, forestry, and economics -- and for all those interested in thinking about economics in a new way."
For more information about the Stand-Up economist, visit http://standupeconomist.com or contact Smith at 662-325-1793 or becky.smith@msstate.edu.
Learn more about Thomas' visit by contacting Mark A. Novotny, head of the physics and astronomy department, at 662-325-2806 or man40@ra.msstate.edu.