What is Really Real?
Distinguishing Facts from Opinion Conference
Sat April 30
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
100 Quad
Keynote Speaker @ 3:00 PM
$7.00 Lunch Available for Purchase
9:00 - 10:00 Sessions
The Role of Data-Driven Algorithms in our News Ecosystem
with Dr. Noah Giansiracusa
Room 104
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/91998789408
Description: From deep-fakes to GPT-3, deep learning is now powering a new assault on our ability to tell what’s real and what’s not, bringing a whole new algorithmic side to fake news. On the other hand, remarkable methods are being developed to help automate fact-checking and the detection of fake news and doctored media.
Success in the modern business world requires you to understand these algorithmic currents, and to recognize the strengths, limits, and impacts of deep learning---especially when it comes to discerning the truth and differentiating fact from fiction.
Dr. Giansiracusa will present and discuss a fun 40 minute quiz exploring the various roles data-driven algorithms play in our ability to tell fact from fiction.
Then he will open it up for questions on this topic (and if there's interest, he will share a couple classroom activities that help students explore this topic).
Facilitator: Noah Giansiracusa (PhD in math from Brown University) is an assistant professor of mathematics and data science at Bentley University.
“It’s all in your head”: A Conversation with Dr. Emily Hu Unpacking Myths Around Trauma
with Dr. Emily Hu and Interim Art Instructor Chloe Allred
Room 119
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99942275404
Description: Join us for a conversation between Dr. Emily Hu and Interim Art Instructor Chloe Allred. Dr. Hu will unpack the many complexities of how trauma affects both mind and body. She will dispel common myths around trauma and discuss how trauma impacts different communities.
Chloe Allred will show how artists have processed grief and traumatic events throughout time, from Baroque era painters to German Expressionist print-makers.
Myths and Facts about Domestic Violence
with Susanna Barnett, Executive Director of Unity Home
Room 103
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93555010229
Description: This session seeks to bring awareness of Domestic Violence and unhealthy relationships.
10:00 - 11:00 Sessions
Myth and Reality of Vaccinations
with Michelle Zacarria, Morongo Basin Healthcare District
Room 104
Description: Michelle will be reviewing Fact vs Fiction regarding COVID Vaccines. The information she will be presenting comes directly from the CDC (FAQ's).
Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
with Profs Berger, Holley, McLaughlin, Christensen & Siciliano
Room 108
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/91513206444
Description: Absolute truth may not exist, but statistics will help find the most probable truth. An interactive, entertaining look at baseball, candy and other data represented in the media will be presented, ensuring fun for all.
Brad Berger, Colin Maclaughlin, LeeAnn Christensen, John Holley, Anthony Siciliano, Math Instructors, Copper Mountain College
A History of Fake News
with Bill Parquette, retired history teacher
Room 103
Description: A former high school history educator discusses fake news and his thoughts about history education.
Bill Parquette, retired history educator and administrator at Yucca Valley High.
Culture War, Deep Stories, and Immortality Projects: Three Terms Useful for Making-Sense of Truth and Politics in 2022
with Prof Michael Danza
Room 112
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93262757319
Description: The United States seems to be divided about vaccinations, masking, abortion, gay rights, trans rights, critical race theory, gun rights, and a host of other issues. Many of these conflicts center on truth, values, and politics. Why do we have competing truth claims? This session will examine three ways that we can understand these conflicts in the United States.
First, we will examine the history and logic of the “culture war” concept. Second, we examine two concepts offered by liberals: “empathy walls and deep stories.” In the end, we will explore “immortality projects” to understand why people experience fight or flight when someone challenges their truth about any of these topics.
Michael Danza, Sociology Instructor, Copper Mountain College
11:00 - 12:00 noon Sessions
What is fake news?
with Dean Pieper, History/Anthropology Instructor
Room 104
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/92439212846
Description: When most people are asked “what is fake news?” their response is often the news outlet that disagrees with their worldview. I would like to examine how the postmodern critique of narratives provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the nature of objectivity.
However, postmodernism did it at the expense of universal truths. Instead of illuminating people, postmodernism simply casts different shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave.
Dean Pieper, History/Anthropology Instructor, Copper Mountain College.
Integral Meta-theory: Human and Cultural Development and Flourishing
with Nathen Lester, Psychotherapist
Room 119
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99864338579
Description: Integral theory is a meta-theory that attempts to integrate all human wisdom into a new, emergent worldview.
This session presents a method for recognizing, integrating, and negotiating all of the major ways that people understand reality and then misunderstand each other.
Nathen Lester, Psychotherapist
Science Vs Pseudoscience
with Dr. Anamika Basu, Biology Instructor
Room 108
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/98854279352
Description: In this session we will discuss the process of evaluating scientific claims. Given our access to huge amounts of information these days, the ability to evaluate scientific claims is a critical thinking skill.
Be wary of pseudoscience that is falsely presented as following ‘real’ science when it is not. You can learn to recognize reliable sources by looking for indicators that ensure scientific validity.
Dr. Anamika Basu, Biology Instructor, Copper Mountain College
“Can We Prove the Reality of Ghosts?”
with Alexzander Martin, Jonah Tommaso, and Jori Crane, students
Room 103
Zoom Link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97877426419
Three students from the CMC’s Perspectives on Death and Dying class will examine the possibility of proving ghosts’ existence.
Alexzander Martin, Jonah Tommaso, and Jori Crane, three students from CMC’s Perspectives on Death and Dying.
1:00 - 2:00 Sessions
Assessing Information in Public Life
with Paul Cook, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
Room 112
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/94376181604
Description: One of the biggest challenges facing government officials and other policymakers is the unprecedented amount of information available, some real, some fake.
Paul Cook will draw on his experience as a state, federal, and local official to discuss how to tell what information is real, what is relevant, and what should be ignored.
Paul Cook, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
When a Myth is a Lie That is True
with Catherine Svehla
Room 119
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/92416279201
Description: What is a myth? What is the relationship between mythology and science, fact and fiction, truth and lies? Can a myth be true and false at the same time? Why do people need myths, and is it possible to live without them? We'll explore these questions and consider how to navigate the tricky terrain of truth and myth today.
Catherine Svehla, independent scholar, storyteller, and teacher with a PhD in Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.
The Top 10 Myths About Childhood
an interactive gallery curated by Prof Martin & CD 044 Students
Room 111
This session is like an interactive museum exhibit using posters and QR codes. It will be open from 9am to 3pm.
Description: Have you ever been told "Wait an hour after eating to go swimming." or "Children playing in the rain or cold weather will get sick"? This fun gallery of student posters will dissect "old wives tales" that are more fiction than fact.
Our interactive gallery will discuss the origins of the myths and the science behind the facts.
Curated by Prof Kim Martin & her CD 044 Students.
2:00 - 3:00 Sessions
Thinking about California Desert Water: Questions of Quality, Costs, and Quantity
with Craig Dicht, Director on the Board of Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency
Room 108
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/95218920987
Description: Do desert aquifers contain sufficient water to support future generations? Is bottled water safer than tap? What does my water bill pay for?
Getting accurate answers to these and other questions is crucial for decision-makers to set responsible water policy.
In this session we'll look at the best answers we have to these questions as well as the processes to ideally reach a level of actionable certainty.
Craig Dicht, Director on the Board of Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency.
Exploring the Facts and Myths about Bitcoin
with Jimmy Hauronic, CMC Alumni and Aspiring-Entrepreneur
Room 103
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/91315090751
Description: Do you want to learn more about bitcoin? What is it? Why are people paying attention to it? How does it work?
This session will explore Bitcoin and offer an explanation for anyone interested in learning more about it.
Jimmy Hauronic, CMC Alumni and Aspiring-Entrepreneur
Establishing and Distinguishing Local Truth from Gossip, Rumor, and Misinformation
with Gary Daigneault, Z107.7 and Stacey Moore, Editor of the Hi Desert Star
Room 104
Zoom https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/96743263723
Description: Facilitator Mike Danza will ask this panel to discuss the role of journalists and social media administrators in spreading factual information and how they deal with gossip, rumor, myth, and misinformation.
How do journalists and social media administrators verify the information they share is correct? What do journalists and social media administrators do when people try to spread misinformation? What is the future of local news?
How has social media shaped our communication and the spread of misinformation?
Gary Daigneault, Broadcast Journalist for Z107.7 and KDHI/KQYN for the past 42 years.
Stacey Moore, Editor of the Hi Desert Star
3:00 - 3:30 Session
Keynote Speaker Rob Ruiz
What is really real? Distinguishing Fact from Opinion, Myth, and Fake News
with Rob Ruiz, Fulbright Scholar and Director of Operations of YRU INC. Former Director of Forensics at the University of La Verne.
Room 119
Zoom Link https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99328184811
Description: What does it mean to distinguish facts from opinion? How can we improve our critical thinking skills in an environment with competing truth claims?
This session will feature advice from debate Professor and Debate Coach Rob Ruiz on how we can evaluate information and the implications of competing knowledge claims.
Keynote Speaker: Rob Ruiz, Fulbright Scholar and Director of Operations of YRU INC. Former Director of Forensics at the University of La Verne.
For more information contact:
Academic Affairs 760-366-3791