Emails go out today for next weeks U3ACommunities computing talk on "real time bidding (or, how targeted ads work)".
See https://u3acommunities.org/event/real-time-bidding-how-targeted-ads-work/
100% free, we are simply trying to share.
Subscribe to email lists here https://u3acommunities.org/subscribe-to-computing-forum/
Wonders of Evolution
🗓️ Start: Wed 10 Sep 2025 10:30 am
⏳ End: Wed 10 Sep 2025 12:00 pm
When, exactly 200 years ago in 1825, the young Charles Darwin arrived in Edinburgh to train to be a doctor, little could he have imagined that, just six years later, he’d be setting out on the epic voyage that would not only make him famous, but also change our understanding of the natural world forever. In this illustrated talk, Barry Zussman (Torridge u3a) will begin with an overview of how Darwin arrived at the theory of evolution by natural selection, followed by some fascinating examples of evolution in action, and in particular, the ingenious ways that certain insects have evolved to outwit their enemies, and some amazing plants that have evolved to outwit them.
To contact us about the Science & Technology group, click here… Get in touch
Today, at 2pm BST, I'll be presenting "Exploring Alternatives to Mainstream Social Media" to u3a online learning events. Will include a brief history of social media platforms, some issues with the big ones and a look at the fediverse.
Will include a proposal that we create our own server https://u3a.social
I'll also mention instant messaging and search engines.
Free for u3a members - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-alternatives-to-mainstream-social-media-tickets-1415091961149
New findings near Black Hole Event Horizons
🗓️ Start: Mon 29 Sep 2025 5:00 pm
⏳ End: Mon 29 Sep 2025 6:30 pm
Speaker: Dr. Dan Wilkins
Kavli Institute, Stanford University
Recent breakthroughs near black hole event horizons are offering exciting new views into some of the universe’s most mysterious regions. Using powerful X-ray telescopes, scientists have observed light bending around black holes, just as Einstein predicted over a century ago.
They’ve also detected faint echoes of X-rays bouncing off material hidden behind black holes, something never seen before. These findings help researchers understand how matter behaves in extreme gravity, how black holes consume surrounding material, and how energetic jets are launched.
It’s a major step toward mapping the chaotic environments near black holes and unlocking secrets about space, time, and gravity itself.
If you are not already subscribed, subscription is free and you will receive joining details and news about forthcoming Leading Edge meetings https://u3acommunities.org/subscribe-to-leading-edge/
https://u3acommunities.org/event/new-findings-near-black-hole-event-horizons/
August is History Group Month
🗓️ Start: 26 August 2025 12:00 pm
⏳ End: 26 August 2025 1:00 pm
August 2025 is History Group month. Tuesday, August 26th at noon, we have a guest speaker, John. It will be the first of 2 parts about the history of astronomy.
The first part is ‘Ancient Era to Copernicus’. John will reveal the great and mysterious knowledge of ancient astronomers. Come along and join in.
https://u3acommunities.org/event/august-is-history-group-month/
‘In the Arms of Morpheus’: The Science of Sleep
When we think about what's really essential for human survival, it's air, food and water that immediately spring to mind. But there's a fourth one, something we also can't do without, and that's sleep. In this wide-ranging presentation, David Tordoff of Wrekin & Wolverhampton u3a's will talk about the history of sleep, what it is and why we need it, the amounts and stages of sleep, and also some associated aspects, such as dreaming, yawning, snoring, and even sleeping in space. So no chance […]https://u3acommunities.org/event/in-the-arms-of-morpheus-the-science-of-sleep-2/
After seeing Mike Berners-Lee ( https://bsky.app/profile/mikebernerslee.bsky.social ) at the also festival, I bought and just finished his book "A climate of truth". Kinda of depressing and hopeful at the same time 🙂
One of my focuses at the moment is social media in u3a, so I'll be pushing the "truth in media" message a bit that way.
Mike - you need to be on the fediverse !
#climateoftruth #mikebernerslee #u3a
#fediverse #climatecrisis #polycrisis
Hoping to present the idea of the #ferdiverse to the #u3a council soon as they formulate their next 5 years strategy.
Whilst good timing, I expect a lot of pushback from #facebook fans. Still, you've got to try right ?
Real Time Bidding (how targeted ads work)
https://plord.co.uk/b/DWT #ads #computing #realTimeBidding #rtb #targetedAds #u3a
In this talk we look at the Real Time Bidding (RTB) system – this is the mechanism that provides targeted ads to your web pages and devices.
We’ll cover the basic mechanism, what data is held, how do they know it’s you, main companies involved, pros & cons and what can be done.
The presentation is :
Real time bidding (how targeted ads work)
🗓️ Start: 19 August 2025 3:00 pm
⏳ End: 19 August 2025 5:00 pm
This month we look at the Real Time Bidding (RTB) system – this is the mechanism that provides targeted ads to your web pages and devices. We’ll cover the basic mechanism, what data is held, how do they know it’s you, main companies involved, pros & cons and what can be done.
Plenty of time is reserved for discussions.
Joining details will be emailed to subscribers nearer the time. If you aren’t a member, it’s free to join here https://u3acommunities.org/subscribe-to-computing-forum/.
https://u3acommunities.org/event/real-time-bidding-how-targeted-ads-work/
Peter Lord
U3A Communities
Petes Home Page