Nerd Nite Austin #173: Whale Tales and Life Lessons

Thursday, August 28th, 7:30pm at Barrel O’ Fun and on Twitch

Let’s learn new ways of looking at life from tales featuring our aquatic cousins of the cetacean persuasion.

 

“Money, Mayhem, and Manipulation: What Moby Dick Tells Us About Surviving in Troubled Times” by Meredith Volk

Most people either hate this book or feel obligated to read it “someday.” And those who love it often do a terrible job of explaining why they do. Is it an adventure on the high seas or an obsessive compendium on whaling? Or is is it a meditation on dignity and human connection when life gets hard?

Meredith Volk is a UX content design leader at a financial technology company. She’s read Moby Dick 11 times just trying to make sense of it.

 

“The Tale of the Loneliest Whale” by Patrick Harris, PhD, LPC

In this talk, the story of the world’s loneliest whale who calls at a frequency no other whale can to hear is used as a powerful metaphor for the human experience of loneliness. It explores how moments of isolation can feel like unanswered calls, yet also reveal the beauty of our unique voices and perspectives. By learning to embrace what sets us apart, we can navigate loneliness with resilience and connect more deeply with others who are willing to truly listen.

Patrick Harris is a licensed therapist, professor, and public speaker residing in Austin, TX. He holds a BA in Psychology and religious studies, MA in Counseling, and a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine, as well as harboring an appropriate fear of the dark and not understanding how taxes work.

 

 

 

Nerd Nite happens at


the bar inside the
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller

  • Shows are (usually) the last Thursday of every month at 7:30pm.
  • The Barrel opens at 4pm. The show is free, so arrive early to get a good seat.
  • There will be an intermission between the speakers.
  • They have a full bar including beers on tap and a great food menu.
  • There’s parking in the garage behind the Alamo Mueller along McBee street. Barrel O’ Fun will validate parking for up to 4 hours. Look for the QR code at the ticket desk.
  • The Barrel O’ Fun website has menus, map and more.