The Helix Center
The Helix Center
The Helix Center
The primary objective of The Helix Center for Interdisciplinary Investigation is not to obtain knowledge, per se, but to aspire to an unhurried search for wisdom, emphasizing the centrality of a sense of wonder in this endeavor. Philosophically, we stand against the trivialization of thought and the balkanization within and between the sciences and the arts. Fundamental to our promotion of these views is our roundtable format of open, spontaneous discourse, one facilitating novel encounters of questioning and understanding among participants. Each program endeavors to expand the boundaries of inquiry by facilitating a creative encounter with uncertainty in the face of scientific and artistic advances. To further nurture opportunities for creative social and intellectual exchange, we also sponsor musical performances, poetry readings, film screenings, and other opportunities for imaginative experience. Visit https://www.helixcenter.org for more!
Reading and The Brain
This roundtable explores the power of words across brain development, medicine, and community, while highlighting the importance of critical thinking in the age of AI and screens.
May 16
1 hr 47 min
Medicine and AI
This roundtable examines how AI is transforming medicine, from genomic modeling to clinical tools used in healthcare systems. It focuses on challenges of trust, evidence, and equity, including how to evaluate AI, ensure fairness, and responsibly integrate data-driven decisions into patient care.
Apr 18
1 hr 22 min
Where Have All the Isms Gone?: On the Evolution of Knowledge
This roundtable explores how traditional intellectual movements and paradigms have fragmented in the postmodern era, challenging the idea of coherent disciplinary progress. It considers how the internet, social fragmentation, and AI are reshaping how knowledge is organized, produced, and understood.
Mar 7
1 hr 23 min
Why We Write
This roundtable explores the motivations and purposes behind writing, challenging the idea that words simply convey facts. It examines how writing can express ambiguity, emotion, intention, and persuasion, shaping both meaning and experience.
Feb 21
1 hr 34 min
Fail Again, Fail Better
This roundtable explores the meaning and value of failure, examining whether persistence leads to growth, success, or its own kind of reward. It considers how cultural, psychological, and philosophical perspectives frame failure as an essential part of the human experience.
Nov 8, 2025
1 hr 25 min
See Memory
This roundtable explores how memory, neuroscience, and storytelling intersect, highlighting memory as a dynamic process that shapes identity, healing, and self-understanding. It examines how art and science together can help us reinterpret and reshape our personal narratives.
Oct 4, 2025
1 hr 8 min
Resurgence of Freud
This roundtable explores the resurgence of psychoanalysis, examining its enduring appeal despite scientific criticism and changing therapeutic practices. It considers how Freudian ideas continue to influence therapy, the humanities, and contemporary debates in the age of AI.
Sep 20, 2025
1 hr 40 min
Neurodiversity
This roundtable explores the concept of neurodiversity – recognizing variations in neurological function – challenging conventional notions of deficit and considering empathetic approaches to support individuals with diverse cognitive experiences.
May 10, 2025
1 hr 33 min
Mindfulness Meditation: Benefits and Dilemmas
This roundtable critically examines the widespread practice of mindfulness meditation, exploring both its potential benefits and emerging concerns regarding commodification, efficacy, and possible adverse effects on mental wellbeing.
Apr 19, 2025
1 hr 32 min
Music and Mind
This roundtable explores the profound connection between music and human experience, investigating its mathematical foundations, neurological impact, cultural significance, and ability to evoke emotion and community.
Mar 22, 2025
1 hr 32 min
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