How would our world change if we all spent a little more time seeing the big picture? Many of our greatest challenges - personal, social, and global - arise from narrowness of perspective. We peer out into the world from the tiny window of our own limited point of view, which is never the whole truth, trying to make sense of things and interact with other people who peer at us through their own unique and limited windows. What new solutions might arise to some of these challenges as we talk to each other from within a space that helps us stay connected to the big picture?Please join us in co-creating a little space where we can immerse ourselves in a truly cosmic perspective. The idea is simple: we'll begin with a brief tour of the universe and some quotes, music, and cosmic images to help create an atmosphere where we feel ourselves as strands in a vast cosmic tapestry, connected to the deep mystery of existence. And then we'll just talk informally about whatever comes up in that space. It's a way to feel more engaged with the mysteries beneath the surface of everyday life, and more connected to the cosmos, to each other, and to our own inner selves. And of course a chance to ask anything you've always wanted to know about the universe but were afraid to ask, or couldn't find anyone who knew what you were talking about!We offer these "cosmic conversations" at a variety of venues around the Portland area. If you'd like to request a specific presentation for your group or class, please contact us.

• Link to slides from recent Cosmic Context presentation for Center for Earth Leadership

About the presenters

Todd Duncan is a cosmologist focused on connecting human experience to a cosmic perspective. He combines a research background in physics and astronomy with experience teaching science to a wide range of audiences. Todd has a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Chicago, an M.Phil. from Cambridge University, and is author of Glimpses of Wonder and co-author of Your Cosmic Context.

Doug McCarty is an educator, philosopher, and astronomer with a passion for sharing the beauty and wonder of the night sky with everyone. For 27 years he was Planetarium Director at Mt. Hood Community College. Doug has taught astronomy at Lewis & Clark College, Portland State University and Marylhurst University and has led astronomy tours to Africa, Australia, Turkey and South America.

Further Reading and Related Resources

• • Glimpses of Wonder, by Todd Duncan (SII 2011)

  • Your Cosmic Context: An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, by Todd Duncan and Craig Tyler (Addison-Wesley 2009)

  • Cosmic Conversations: Dialogues on the Nature of the Universe and the Search for Reality, by Stephan Martin (New Page Books 2009)

• Big Questions Online

• Closer to Truth

• World in Conversation Project

• Journey of the Universe