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A Café historically serves as a center of social interaction: the Café provides members with a place to congregate, talk, write, read, entertain, or pass the time, whether individually or in small groups. Most importantly, a Café often represents a safe, comfortable and casual environment within which you can learn, informally educate, enjoy time with close friends and meet new acquaintances - an environment of emotional and intellectual enrichment.
Rather than a generic Science Café name, we have chosen a more independent name for the following reasons:
We've decided to name ours "Laughing Dog Café" purely on the basis we, as well as a large proportion of the Oceanside community, love dogs. A healthy, happy dog invariably has a wonderful sense of amusement and zest for life which we as individuals should all learn to emulate. Also, the name Laughing Dog has an interesting history which indirectly relates to the vagaries of empirical science:
For many years psychologists and behavioural biologists agreed, perhaps arrogantly so, that laughter was a unique emotional expression found only in humans. However, as the study of animal emotions expanded this idea was called into question. The Nobel Prize winning ethnologist, Konrad Lorenz, suggested that dogs are indeed capable of laughing. He stated that it is during play that dogs actually appear to laugh. In his book Man Meets Dog, Lorenz describes it this way:
Rather than a generic Science Café name, we have chosen a more independent name for the following reasons:
- We hope to have this Science Café as a long term, permanent venue for the Oceanside Community. By establishing an independent name, the hope is that it will become readily recognized and synonymous with the Oceanside Science Café.
- The advantage of an independent name is that we own all the licensing rights, including custom logo, multiple web url's and related domain rights. This means we could license and market the Laughing Dog Café merchandise (such as T-shirts; Sweaters; Key fobs; Pens; etc) and put any profits back into the Café to ensure the continuity of high quality venues and explore bringing in guest speakers from more distant locations.
- Overall, it makes it a bit easier for purpose of registering as a non-profit company rather than using a more generic and commonly utilized name...particularly under the new legislation now in force by Canada's Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
We've decided to name ours "Laughing Dog Café" purely on the basis we, as well as a large proportion of the Oceanside community, love dogs. A healthy, happy dog invariably has a wonderful sense of amusement and zest for life which we as individuals should all learn to emulate. Also, the name Laughing Dog has an interesting history which indirectly relates to the vagaries of empirical science:
For many years psychologists and behavioural biologists agreed, perhaps arrogantly so, that laughter was a unique emotional expression found only in humans. However, as the study of animal emotions expanded this idea was called into question. The Nobel Prize winning ethnologist, Konrad Lorenz, suggested that dogs are indeed capable of laughing. He stated that it is during play that dogs actually appear to laugh. In his book Man Meets Dog, Lorenz describes it this way:
"...an invitation to play always follows; here the slightly opened jaws which reveal the tongue, and the tilted angle of the mouth which stretches almost from ear to ear give a still stronger impression of laughing. This ‘laughing' is most often seen in dogs playing with an adored master and which become so excited that they soon start panting".
It is this panting which Lorenz identified with human laughter. Although he may have been one of the first to suggest "scientifically" that dogs laugh, the idea that other animals laugh had already been suggested by earlier scientists. Charles Darwin started the ball rolling in his book The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals published in 1872. He noticed that chimpanzees and other great apes produce a laugh-like sounds when they are tickled or when they are playing. More recently Jane Goodall described this same ‘‘laughing'' and ‘‘chuckling'' reported by Darwin and others as a sort of breathy panting that can escalate to a more guttural ‘‘ah-grunting,'' if intense.
However, every individual who has ever had the joy of caring for and deeply loving another animal (and particularly a dog lover) would simply say that these "scientific" findings are a 'no brainer' as every dog owner knows their dog laughs and have a broad range of emotions. This knowledge far predates the empirical science, it is just that an individual finally applied the scientific process to empirically verify what many individuals throughout history fundamentally believed. Just consider Laughing Dog a reminder that "science" is not absolute - it is an evolutionary process... it is important to learn from science but not to let it constrain your thoughts, restrict your imagination or inhibit your individual and valued beliefs.
The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents and the ocean was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers__________
What is a Science Café?
Café Scientifique is a grassroots public science initiative currently operating throughout the United Kingdom as well as in many other countries. It has taken off like wildfire and at least one Science Café can be found in virtually every country throughout the world. Similar but independent events have also sprung up in many cities using variations of the "Café Scientifique" or "Science Café" monikers.
Typically, one monthly evening meeting is organized in an existing café or bar to which one or several scientists are invited to talk in laymen's terms about their work in a topical or even controversial area. The events are known for their informal and friendly atmosphere, and are believed to improve the image of scientists and careers in science. Café Scientifique aims to demystify scientific research for the general public and empower non-scientists to more comfortably and accurately assess science and technology issues, particularly those that impact on social policy making. It is meant to be a fun, enjoyable social experience with no political or commercial affiliations - a broad range of population demographic is encouraged and their participation is warmly welcomed.
Although Café Scientifique is an idea, not a particular place - the location is absolutely critical. It was completely unexpected that Cafés would spread so widely throughout the world. Yet the ambience of a café – relaxed, informal, discursive, egalitarian – is what makes the science accessible. In a lecture theatre you expect to be lectured to, take notes and sit exams. In a café you expect to enjoy yourself, relax, discuss and enter or leave as you please. That means that discussion with a speaker (or anyone else) takes place on equal terms – not equality of knowledge, but equality of respect. So scientists need to respect members of the public as much as the public respects scientists.
What is the aim of the Café Scientifique? When the author and neurologist Oliver Sacks was asked this question after he had talked at a Café he said "The aim of the Cafes is to bring science back into culture". Whereas science was often seen as boring, difficult, mathematical and self-regulating, now it is seen as relevant, powerful, dangerous and important. It not only describes the universe, but considers climate change, maps out genes and watches how our brains function. So it is personally, globally and universally relevant.
Science is the same the world over, but cultures are very different. So Cafés have to engage and address their local culture, and they do this in many different ways. Although in Britain there is usually one speaker, in Denmark there are two (one non-scientist) and in France often four (as well as a band in the interval). In Japan more respect should be shown to old people , so questions and opinions are done by SMS onto a big screen, so that no one knows the age of the commentator. In Africa topics are down-to-earth – how to live with HIV, avoid Malaria or understand water purification. So in many ways the Cafés promote a cultural examination of science by local people.
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We NEED Your Help...
We NEED Your Help...
The concept of a Science Café for our region is truly a passion of mine and if the public's interest is there, which it seems to be, I will gladly devote my time and energy to make this a successful, long term endeavour. HOWEVER, to do this properly and ensure not only its initial success but long term viability, this proposed Science Café needs your help, as I can not accomplish this on my own - I need at least two volunteers who are committed for the long term to help develop, organize, maintain and promote a Science Café for our region.
Our immediate need is to have two or more dedicated individuals who would commit to being fellow directors with myself in creating a non-profit, charitable organization from which Laughing Dog Café would operate under. I would be particularly interested in anyone with a business background and familiar with the nuances of establishing a non-profit based corporate structure with goal of acquiring charitable status - but that in itself is not essential.
Should there be no one stepping forward to help organize this Science Café, or there simply is insufficient community interest to justifying pursuing this further at the present time, I shall place this project on hold and review it again on an annual basis. It remains a passion of mine and my goal is to eventually have this for our Oceanside community, the sooner the better. A Science Café, organized well, can be a lot of fun; very educational; universally appeals to a broad demographic range; promotes individual intellectual growth; promotes and encourages science and technology based business ventures within our region; and, overall, a truly valuable asset to our Oceanside community.
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Overall, our current mission is that Laughing Dog Café is striving to be a Café Scientifique dedicated to exploring the concept and science of living a simpler, more sustainable and ecologically friendly lifestyle - particularly within the Vancouver Island region of British Columbia.
The purpose is simply to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere within which we can learn and enrich our own knowledge about the wonderful world of science and technology. This is a broad mandate and includes exploring such things as sustainable business practices for our region of Central Vancouver Island; ethical consumerism; environmentally sound farming practices; habitat development and assisted ecological enhancement; exploration of energy alternatives; sustainable housing initiatives and green building practices; how technologies can enrich our lives for the better; the importance of sound, ecological oriented resource management; the science of wellness which includes medical, psychological and pharmacological advances as well as healthy lifestyle choices in general!
The purpose is simply to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere within which we can learn and enrich our own knowledge about the wonderful world of science and technology. This is a broad mandate and includes exploring such things as sustainable business practices for our region of Central Vancouver Island; ethical consumerism; environmentally sound farming practices; habitat development and assisted ecological enhancement; exploration of energy alternatives; sustainable housing initiatives and green building practices; how technologies can enrich our lives for the better; the importance of sound, ecological oriented resource management; the science of wellness which includes medical, psychological and pharmacological advances as well as healthy lifestyle choices in general!
Laughing Dog Café is very much in its ‘early development’ phase and we hope to be able to create a vibrant and active Café Scientifique within the Qualicum Beach community soon. Laughing Dog Café itself is not actually “selling” anything except a place to generate some thought about the wonderfully exciting world of science as well as promoting living a simpler, healthier lifestyle and adhering to the principles of environmental sustainability.
Please note that Laughing Dog Café is not intended to compete with any other existing Café or related business within our region. In fact, the hope and desire for Laughing Dog Café is to find a permanent location within an existing Café, Restaurant, or Pub from which monthly or bi-monthly venues can operate from. We would reciprocate the kind gesture by ensuring the sponsoring venue is included within all publicity and advertisement; our Science Café would be operated in a professional manner with full liability coverage for the venue owner and all incurred usage costs covered, so there would be no out of pocket costs for the venue sponsor other than providing a fixed location and monthly time allotment.
Please note that Laughing Dog Café is not intended to compete with any other existing Café or related business within our region. In fact, the hope and desire for Laughing Dog Café is to find a permanent location within an existing Café, Restaurant, or Pub from which monthly or bi-monthly venues can operate from. We would reciprocate the kind gesture by ensuring the sponsoring venue is included within all publicity and advertisement; our Science Café would be operated in a professional manner with full liability coverage for the venue owner and all incurred usage costs covered, so there would be no out of pocket costs for the venue sponsor other than providing a fixed location and monthly time allotment.
That’s it! There is no hidden agenda; no mass consumerism; no marketing gimmicks
- just a place for Laughing Dog Café to have a voice ... our raison d'être if you will.
- just a place for Laughing Dog Café to have a voice ... our raison d'être if you will.
