Toronto Oasis, Secular Community

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

“Multiform Grammar” (MFG) is a grammatical system for the combination of words and images. It illuminates and conceptualizes the ways in which users of both words and images integrate them into cohesive and coherent verbal-visual representations. This grammatical system is timely as it enables us to better understand and apply a mode of communication that is ubiquitous in the digital era. In this talk our featured speaker, Noa Yaari, will show how she is using the MFG in her current art project in the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies (CRRS) at the university of Toronto focusing on how art can illuminate sensorial and cognitive processes with broad implications.

Noa Yaari, PhD, is a Fellow at the CRRS, artist, curator, and the developer of “Multiform Grammar.” In her scholarship and artwork, she explores verbal-visual or “multiform” rhetoric, especially in the creation and communication of knowledge. She is currently creating an art installation titled “Image-Text Relationships at the CRRS Library,” and preparing a monograph about the MFG for publication. She has earned a PhD in History and an MA in Humanities from York University, an MA in the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas from the Cohn Institute at Tel Aviv University (magna cum laude), and a B.Ed. from Hamidrasha, Beit Berl College, School of Art, Israel. You are welcome to see and follow her work in her monthly blog “The Multiform Grammar Lab.”

Our guest musician will be Cassie Norton, a Toronto-based violinist/singer-songwriter and the music director of Toronto Oasis. Cassie’s music is, at times friendly, familiar, and simple, examining ordinary characters with an extraordinary level of depth. Other times it is more adventurous, rumbling with dissonant and irreverent sounds and epic themes.

Cassie and her band have been performing at Toronto venues such as Burdock Hall, Arrayspace, and The Supermarket since January 2018, and released their first EP: Lullaby for the End of Time in February 2019. In addition, Cassie has recorded two full length albums as a solo artist, Little Strength (2009) and Quiet Wilderness (2010).

When she isn’t busy making her own music, Cassie shares her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches a variety of private and ensemble classes at Regent Park School of Music, and through her private studio. Check out her website: https://www.cassienorton.com/

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybcdbfc/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

Emotions originate within our xconscious, and we may consider them negative or uncomfortable. However, the reality is that ignoring our emotions or suppressing them damages our health.

Find out how to work better with all our emotions, including anger etc.

Our featured speaker on this topic will be Phil Cheney. Phil ‘Philosofree’ Cheney is awed by the Cosmos, and excited about human potential. He is a renaissance man who appreciates life, having worked in over 55 countries, including as a university lecturer in his native Australia, trade leader in Thailand, Government budget consultant in Papua New Guinea, software distributor in Zimbabwe, marketer in Germany, Building Construction in China, farm exporting in Japan and author in his current home in Toronto.

Philosofree is a mystic who is curious about integrating science and the metaphysical. He has published 8 books, 5 CDs of original music and won awards for software design and clinical practice in medicine. His education background includes degrees in Economics, Business Administration and Information Technology. Phil prioritizes his wife, daughters and grandchildren, and loves to sing and dance with them.

Our featured musician is Georgia Hathaway. At times dark, at times funny and irreverent, Georgia brings you an intimate and unique set of blues-inspired original songs, weaving in spoken word, laughter, and other noises. Using images from nature and personal stories, she muses on death, love, shadows, and other themes, all to the accompaniment of slide and picked guitar. http://www.georgiahathaway.com/

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybcdbmb/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

Capitalism is both widely debated and largely misunderstood. In this presentation, our featured speaker, Paul Kaplan, will explain what economists mean by capitalism, as well as address a number of related issues including the impact of capitalism on poverty, political discourse, economic growth, democratic capitalism, inequality, the concentration of economic power, the Nordic economic model, and climate change.

Paul D. Kaplan, PhD, CFA, is director of research for Morningstar Canada and is a senior member of Morningstar’s global research team. Morningstar is a Chicago-based global investment research firm. Paul led the development of many of the quantitative methodologies behind Morningstar’s fund analysis, indexes, advisor tools, and other services. He conducts research on asset allocation, retirement income planning, portfolio construction, index methodologies, and other investment topics.

Many of Paul’s research papers have been published in professional books and publications. He received two awards for articles published in the prestigious Financial Analysts Journal. Many of his works appear in his book Frontiers of Modern Asset Allocation published in 2012 by John Wiley & Sons. He is a coauthor of the book Popularity: A Bridge between Classical and Behavioral Finance published in 2018 by the CFA Institute Research Foundation.

Before coming to Canada in 2012, Paul served as quantitative research director for Morningstar Europe in London, UK, and director of quantitative research in the United States before that. Before working at private companies, he served on the economics faculty of Northwestern University where he taught international finance and statistics.

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, economics, and computer science from New York University and a master’s degree and doctorate in economics from Northwestern University. He has served as a member of the editorial board of the Financial Analysts Journal, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Our featured musician will be Jessica Stuart, a Vancouver born, Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist/songwriter. Jessica spent much of the last decade touring the world with her award-winning jazz-pop trio, The Jessica Stuart Few. As an accomplished vocalist, guitarist and koto player (13-stringed traditional Japanese harp), she has been praised for her on-stage charm, musical chops, and signature song writing style.   Described by The Globe & Mail as “endlessly charismatic”, Jessica has been likened to a modern-day Joni Mitchell with lyrics that describe the joys and challenges of the human experience, delivered in a catchy, but musically adventurous package.

Some of Stuart’s recent career highlights include a Top 40 single in Japan, a “Best Album” designation in the international Independent Music Awards, festival performances in Australia, Germany, China, Japan and North America, and regular rotation on airwaves around the globe, from the BBC to the CBC.

Coming off of the release of the single “Fukue’s Theme Part I” that accompanied a record-breaking viral CBC documentary about the artist herself (3 million views and counting), Stuart released an indie-pop single last summer (June 2019) called Simple Little Song, under the new project name JESSA. Check out her website: https://jessicastuartmusic.com/

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybcdbdb/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

Climate change, growing economic inequality, political polarization, increasing international debt, incomplete labour laws, corruption, hyperinflation – the list of global economic ills that afflict us today, runs, long. If status quo economic activities continue, the death of hundreds of thousands of people and animals per annum is forecasted on the horizon. It does not have to be this way however. In fact, we can already see tangible pieces of the solution puzzle coming together at various levels of government, across corporations, in different civil society organizations, and by various people around the world. There is a way forward – there are many, viable, economic practices that are based on neo-humanitarian values available, and some that have yet to be discovered. In other words, there are many ways forward if we work together. We live in exciting times where climate change offers an unprecedented opportunity to unite the global citizens of the world into action, and galvanize our efforts towards a truly unified, peaceful, and harmonious world. In this conversation, led by our featured speaker, Erick Carreras, we will cover and discuss a few of the potential economic activities you can take part in to support this seismic economic shift, and run some activities to help us discover new and personalized ways of incorporating what we’ve learned into our daily praxis.

Erick Carreras has a background in clinical surgical research, nutrition and methylmercury assessments in the Amazon of Peru, and was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Faculty of Health Science at McMaster University when he graduated with a Master’s of Science in Global Health (2017). During his MScGH, Erick took a term to study abroad in the Netherlands at Maastricht University to specialize in a branch of Sociology known as Science and Technology Studies (STS), where his scholarly work investigated the economics of capitalism as a contributing driving force to the establishment of psychiatry as we know it today. Since the completion of his studies, Erick Carreras has worked to promote Gender Equity and Social Inclusivity in the workplace of the private sector in Barranquilla, Colombia; completed free-lance English to French translation work for a non-profit that helps establish Syrian Refugees coming to Canada who identify as a part of the LGBTQ2+ community; and currently supports the field work and administration of social programs created by, and for, urban Indigenous of Turtle Island residing in Ontario. Using his website (erickcarreras.ca), some social media platforms, public presentations (such as this one), and his upcoming book, Erick hopes to raise the consciousness of the world, at scale, to make the impact he hopes to have on the world: contribute to empowering the collective so we may all iteratively co-create a holistically healthier world for all, by all.

Our featured musician will be Shawn William Clarke, a Canadian indie-folk songwriter, twice nominated as Songwriter of the Year in NOW magazine and recent winner of the Songs from the Heart Songwriting award, presented by Folk Music Ontario. His last solo album release, TOPAZ, was inspired by 80’s Gordon Lightfoot, Kenny Buttrey’s drumming on Neil Young’s “Harvest” and the existential dilemmas we faced in modern times. His website is www.shawnwilliamclarke.com.

Clive Hannah will do the Community Moment. The Community Moment is a chance for one of our own to share their journey, thoughts about life, or something personal about themselves. It could be light and silly or it could be emotionally heavy. Either way, you’ll learn more about a valued person in our community. Interested in presenting your own Community Moment? Contact Tania at 416oasis@gmail.com.

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybccbjc/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

It’s almost fifty years since the Beatles released their final album, Let It Be. Still, their music continues to populate contemporary playlists. In asking why we still listen to the Beatles, our featured speaker, Mark Whale, will explore questions of musical value, which, as it relates to human value, transcends the boundaries of purely personal musical taste.

Mark Whale, PhD, is a fulltime Professor of Liberal Studies at Humber College, Toronto, where he teaches courses in music, philosophy and general education. Mark trained in London, England, at the Royal Academy of Music, and in Freiburg, Germany at the Musikhochschule. After a career in Europe as a violinist, teacher, conductor and concert organizer, Mark completed his PhD in music education at the University of Toronto in 2009. A published researcher, he has presented at conferences around the world on the question of musical meaning. In 2014 he gave a TED Talk at Guelph University entitled “Music: Is it just a matter of personal taste?” His current research project, for which he has received funding from Humber College, includes a series of performances and podcasts called “The Music Listening Project,” (episodes of which are available on iTunes) in which people talk with him about what it is they hear in music that touches and moves them. Mark continues to play the violin professionally. He is currently concertmaster of Toronto’s Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra. Other musical engagements are varied, ranging from solo Bach in Humber’s Arboretum, Quartets in Cafes, Piazzola on YouTube, to improvisation and the folk music of Bosnia.

Our guest musician will be Gbenga Nathaniel, an artist, entertainer and instrumentalist. He specializes in afro pop and soul and has been in the entertainment industry for over a decade. Gbenga is currently working on his own project which is a mixture of contemporary arts.

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybccbzb/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

People are becoming more polarized in many places, and a number of countries are backsliding into authoritarianism. This talk will explore a few of the key factors at play when hate and polarization rise, and share stories of successful grassroots campaigns to turn the tide. Drawing together findings from fields like neuroscience, social psychology, and behavioural economics, the talk will offer practical tips anyone can take home and start using right away. Our featured speaker, Matthew Legge, will base this talk on his book Are We Done Fighting? Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division (New Society Publishers, 2019).

Matthew Legge loves exploring the evidence and sharing interesting stories. He’s particularly passionate about making communication honest, simple, and accessible.

Matthew has worked in the non-profit sector for the last 13 years, with a focus on building health, dignity, and human rights. He has supported locally-led peace initiatives in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He has served as a volunteer, consultant, board member, and full-time staff member.

Since 2012, Matthew has worked for Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC), the peace and social justice agency of Quakers in Canada. Quakers are widely respected for their efforts to prevent war and transform conflicts, as well as their impartial support for war victims.

As CFSC’s Peace Program Coordinator, Matthew has had the opportunity to learn from Quakers across Canada and in the US, Europe, and Africa. Are We Done Fighting? is written for a general audience as part of Matthew’s work for CFSC, and proceeds go toward CFSC’s peace and justice work.

Matthew’s fascination with how diverse cultures organize themselves to address different challenges led him to get a degree in Anthropology from the University of Toronto. He served for six years on the board of directors of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation. This is his first book. He writes the popular blog Are We Done Fighting? for Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/are-we-done-fighting.

Our guest musician will be Kid Grit. Kid Grit’s folk songs are quiet and pensive reflections of a life lived. From the depths of isolation possible in a digital age, to the heights of exaltation, living and growing up in nature. His music travels through the processes of life and how we heal, through gentle whisperings, swelling warm harmonies, and sometimes painful personal admissions – attempting to find peace and truth in the smallest of things. 

Richard Dowsett will do the Community Moment. The Community Moment is a chance for one of our own to share their journey, thoughts about life, or something personal about themselves. It could be light and silly or it could be emotionally heavy. Either way, you’ll learn more about a valued person in our community. Interested in presenting your own Community Moment? Contact Tania at 416oasis@gmail.com.

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/khgwkrybccbqb/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

Gender and sex are two concepts that are muddled together – both at the conceptual level, and in real life when it comes to diagnosing Gender Dysphoria. Such a diagnosis is the precondition for medical treatments for trans people. It is a social and cultural minefield, through which we need to chart a careful path. It is difficult to engage in an open discussion, because emotions run so high. Nevertheless, our featured speaker, Margrit Eichler, believes it is important to do so. Margrit will look at the current definition of Gender Dysphoria in the DMS (that’s the bible of psychiatrists) and what she considers its progressive and conservative elements, with a short side trip to the sex ed curricula of the previous liberal and current conservative governments.

Margrit Eichler taught her first course in feminist sociology in 1971, then entitled “Sex Roles”, because the term gender had not yet been invented for use for social relations (it was a grammatical term only). She has been dealing with issues of sex and gender since that time. She is Professor Emerita of the Department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Our featured musician will be Cassie Norton, the music director of Toronto Oasis.  At times fragile and sweet, at other times strong, bold and even harsh, this Toronto-based violinist/singer-songwriter tells the stories behind her lyrics with sound. Cassie’s music is, at times friendly, familiar, and simple, examining ordinary characters with an extraordinary level of depth. Other times it is more adventurous, rumbling with dissonant and irreverent sounds and epic themes.

Cassie and her band have been performing at Toronto venues such as Burdock Hall, Arrayspace, and The Supermarket since January 2018, and released their first EP: Lullaby for the End of Time in February 2019. In addition, Cassie has recorded two full length albums as a solo artist, Little Strength (2009) and Quiet Wilderness (2010).

When she isn’t busy making her own music, Cassie shares her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches a variety of private and ensemble classes at Regent Park School of Music, and through her private studio. Check out her website: https://www.cassienorton.com/

Gerald Robinson will do the Community Moment.  The Community Moment is a chance for one of our own to share their journey, thoughts about life, or something personal about themselves.  It could be light and silly or it could be emotionally heavy.  Either way, you’ll learn more about a valued person in our community.  Interested in presenting your own Community Moment?  Contact Tania at 416oasis@gmail.com.

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/pzdxgryzqbtb/

Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue).  Social 10:45am – 11:00am.

Our brains are formed by DNA driven growth and nurture from the environment.  Survival of the fittest has and still influences genetic determination of the body and brain’s capabilities. To survive and reproduce has yielded good altruism and violent aggressive behavior.  These behaviors described as good and evil will be discussed in psychological and neuroscience viewpoints.

Our featured speaker will be James L. Winslow, MSc math, PhD Neuroscience.  James describes himself as an evolutionist who is descended from New England Pilgrims and Leif Ericson Vikings with an advantaged scientific curiosity that is now focused on thinking and violence in the human brain. He is a retired University of Toronto research professor in neuroscience.  His papers are on numerical models of neurons and synapses.

You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/pzdxgryzqblb/