Honeybee Collapse, Yin And Yang Addressed In Liberal Arts Lecture Series
Nov 12th, 09
The Whitney Young School and the Institute for Liberal Studies are sponsoring a fall 2009 Liberal Studies Lecture Series.
The Whitney Young School and the Institute for Liberal Studies are sponsoring a fall 2009 Liberal Studies Lecture Series. Dr. Tom Webster began the series Oct. 21 with "A Dog That Didn't Bark: The Little Picture of Honey Bee Colony Collapse." His presentation discussed the beekeeping industry and how many beekeepers cart their bees from one location to another in pursuit of high pollination fees. The almond orchards in California particularly are driving the beekeeping industry because the fees for pollination are so high. He also examined the various factors that could have contributed to the honeybee decline. While the researchers have identified the microbes infecting the bees and causing them to die, it is a mystery as to why some bees are affected and some are not, Webster said. Healthy bees were placed in infected hives, and the healthy bees were not infected. Caged bees did not become infected. Canadian bees recovered after they were injected with the infection. He attributed it to the fact that it is normal for pathogens to fail and for insects' immune systems to be strong. Daniel Rutledge gave the second presentation, "The Chinese Concept of Yin and Yang: Harmony vs. Truth," Nov. 4. He said that the Eastern world deems the greatest good is Harmony; while the Western world holds that it is Truth. The Eastern approach stems from the view of the world being made up of yin and yang. Brian West, Dr. George Shields and Dr. Cynthia Shelton will jointly present "Wilberforce, Equiano and Early Abolitionism" from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 in Carver Hall 115.