In a continuing series of illuminating public meetings with  people working to improve our society, Think Tank provides a forum for community conversation with leaders, visionaries, and project developers.

Eugene, Oregon February 10, 2010 -- Energy Village presents Think Tank, a discussion with Professor Chet Bowers, author & lecturer, and Pete Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner.
The event takes place at the Davis Restaurant at 94 West Broadway. Networking is from 6-6:30pm and the lecture begins at 6:30.

The Lecture Topic:
Rethinking the Misuse of Our Political Language:  How George Lakoff Adds to the Confusion
Chet Bowers will address the current misuse of our political language, as well as how to rectify it so that people associate our political language with today’s social and environmental realities.   The focus of the discussion will be on how to accurately use our political language in ways that correct misconceptions at the local level, expose the political and economic agendas otherwise hidden by the Orwellian use of language, and contribute to reframing how people think about what needs to be conserved in the face of economic globalization, the in-place technological infrastructure that threatens what remains of privacy, and the impact of climate change.

The Response:
Commissioner Sorenson will provide the response to Professor Bowers' lecture. A former Oregon State Senator, Commissioner Sorenson has worked in public service as a congressional legislative assistant, as a special assistant in a presidential administration, and also was involved in the practical work of providing democratic representation at the national, state and local levels.  He has learned from experience that getting our language right is crucial to the success of the democratic process.


About Chet Bowers:
Chet Bowers has written over 105 articles and 16 books on the cultural roots of the ecological crisis.  His recent online books examine how language reproduces pre-ecological ways of thinking, how the cultural commons are being enclosed by market forces that have an unsustainable carbon and toxic footprint, and the need to make the transition to basing our values, democratic practices, and approach to social justice on ecological intelligence.  

Professor Bowers has been invited to speak at 35 universities in the United States and 34 universities in other parts of the world. He was invited by Vice-President Al Gore to be the featured speaker at a dinner/seminar (held at the Gore residence) on the influence of metaphorical thinking on environmental and technology policies.

About Pete Sorenson:
Pete Sorenson earned BA, MA. and JD degrees at the University of Oregon. He has worked at the national, state, and local levels in elective government. His work involves the use of words to inform and shape debates on public policy. A former adjunct professor of law, Sorenson is vitally interested in how language can be used to advance social progress.


About Think Tank:
Think Tank is a series of up close and personal conversations, interviews, and panel discussions to entertain, educate, and elevate.

By engaging the full spectrum of Eugene's diversity, Think Tank examines the relevant, explores the emerging, and embraces those that laid the foundation.

Energy Village helps to create a map of the many great projects and programs that exist in Lane County, to reduce the amount of overlap, and increase collaboration between these humanitarian efforts.

About Energy Village:
Energy Village is a non- profit organization 501(c)3, founded in 2000. For many years, Energy Village has provided an informal hub for the interaction of individuals and community programs. Energy Village brings people together, with the explicit intent of expanding, and disseminating knowledge and understanding of our relationship to the world and each other.

We provide places, projects and events for people to gather in an atmosphere that fosters intellectual and personal growth. Events include classes, seminars, retreats, festivals and symposiums. Projects include creation of intentional community, exploration of sustainable technology and lifestyle, fundamental scientific research, production of documentaries publications and the creation of cultural and educational centers.

Contact:
Susanna Meyer, Director of Public Relations
Energy Village
541-485-1531
http://energyvillage.org