Humans developing relationships with each other, the Earth and how people treat their planet will be discussed at the “Gaia Theory: Model and Metaphor for the 21st Century” lecture in Lafayette.
The Lafayette Public Library, 775 Baseline Road, will host Martin Ogle, founder of Entrepreneurial Earth, for a lecture on Gaia Theory 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Through Ogle’s lecture, plus the use of a series of mini-vignettes and live music, he will explain Gaia Theory to attendees. The theory proposes that living organisms’ interactions with their inorganic surroundings create a self-regulating complex system to help sustain life on Earth. Simply put, everything and every action works together to keep the world spinning.
He said the event will bring together science, metaphors and world views. Ogle explained that science is critical in understanding the world and its issues, but that emotion and compassion are also needed. He hopes the event combines “heart and mind” to deepen attendees’ understanding of the world.
Ogle first learned about Gaia Theory in the 1980s, when he was looking for connections between science and human emotion.
“This is the best context for which I can understand the world,” Ogle said.
Ogle said his father always took his family walking, hiking and generally kept them immersed in nature. He suspects that helped foster his love of the environment.
Two members of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra will play three pieces. Ogle said music has a way of connecting with human emotion in a way words cannot. The music serves as a point of reflection, so attendees can ponder the theory and their own connection to nature.
Fernanda Nieto, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra director of education and community engagement, said she hopes the music of the lecture will draw people in. She explained that the music serves as “food for thought” through music about the environment and how people interact with the environment.
“Beyond what Gaia Theory itself has to propose,” Nieto said, “the idea that art — and specifically, music — can be a vehicle to be aware of our surroundings, how we treat each other and our surroundings, is really important.”
Oboist Sarah Bierhaus and violinist Veronica Sawarynski will perform pieces that focus on the planet. One work is Jarod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s “Oshta (Four)” for the violin. Nieto said the composer, a Native American who lives in Oklahoma, grounds all his pieces in nature.
Ogle previously organized a Gaia Theory conference in 2006 that featured scientists, artists, poets and more. Ogle also works for Lafayette Open Space as an education coordinator, but the event is separate from this work as a city employee.
The event is free and no registration is required. More information is available at tinyurl.com/LafayetteGaiaTheoryEvent.