In an unconventional twist on traditional academic lectures, San Francisco has welcomed Big Brain SF, a series that brings thought-provoking discussions to local bars.
Founded by Emily Giverts in March, Big Brain SF combines vibrant ambiance with intellectual exploration, allowing attendees to engage with varied themes, most of which are presented by scholars holding PhDs or pursuing doctoral degrees.
“People are there for the knowledge, but they’re also there for the adventure and the experience,” Giverts explains, capturing the essence of the program.
The Big Brain SF Instagram page, invitingly declaring, “Welcome to the nerd club,” has gained a following of over 13,000, indicating a strong interest in the unique concept.
Offering free talks on weeknights from 7 to 9 p.m., prominent venues include Wave Collective, Madrone Art Bar, and The San Francisco Athletic Club, which temporarily closed on August 3.
Attendees enjoy the dual benefit of absorbing new information and engaging in lively interactions about the subjects presented.
Topics at Big Brain SF cover a broad range, such as “Anesthesia Dreams: The Future of Mental Health?” presented by Stanford University’s Pilleriin Sikka and “Beauty Ideals Through Time: From Canvases to Algorithms” by Bea Asavajaru.
The series has also engaged speakers from the University of California, Berkeley, like Juliana Schroeder, who discussed “Maximizing Your Social Value,” and Daniel Young, who presented “Survival of the Smartest: Evolutionary AI for Social Good.”
The inaugural event featured Stanford psychology scholar Eric Neumann discussing “Building Lasting Relationships in a Lonely World: Can AI Help?” The event took place at The Sycamore in the Mission District, where the owners, Liz and Tim Ryan, warmly embraced Giverts’ idea from the start.
Since then, other San Francisco venues have opened their doors, providing their spaces and even equipment like television screens to help facilitate the events.
At just 24, Giverts has demonstrated an impressive blend of passion for education and community engagement, influenced by her small business owners’ parents.
Having recently left her corporate job to focus solely on Big Brain SF, Giverts has expanded the program significantly.
“I always felt like I wanted to start something myself versus being in a corporate environment,” she reflects, underscoring her entrepreneurial spirit.
With the hiring of an event host, Giverts can now enjoy the interactions with attendees rather than just managing logistics.
“I love chatting with people. I’m now able to enjoy the lecture and also meet everyone,” she shares, highlighting the shift in her role during events.
The frequency of lectures has also increased, with seven events scheduled for August alone.
Upcoming presentations include Tamri Matiashvili on “How Women Reshaped the Workforce” at Mr. Mahjong’s on August 12, and Kevin Smokler with “The Art of Finding Good Movies” at The Sycamore on August 19.
Additional lectures will feature Erica Bailey discussing “Authenticity in ‘Real’ Life: Three Myths and a Few Truths About Being Yourself,” Stephanie Cowan’s “The Art of Giving a Good Hug (and Other Tools for Connection),” and Favour Nerrise’s talk on “Health in My Hands: The Future of Wearable AI.”
Audience interest spans diverse subjects, with attendees expressing particular enthusiasm for topics like women’s health, politics, and policy.
Giverts has noticed a dedicated group of repeat attendees, about ten of whom have participated in all the lectures so far.
“Those are the people that kind of love everything. And if you don’t love everything, then there’s something for everyone,” she concludes, inviting San Francisco residents to join the intellectual adventure.
To stay updated on upcoming events and join the Big Brain SF email list, interested individuals are encouraged to sign up through their website.
image source from：piedmontexedra
