January 13, 2019
Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Nature of Money
What exactly are Bitcoins? Are they some kind of scam? What do they accomplish that ordinary financial transactions don’t? What is a Blockchain and how does it work? What is the nature of money? With the U.S. dollar such a universally-used currency, why would we need another? Is Bitcoin, in fact, a kind of money? Or is it more like a speculative investment? Is it really safe or, in fact, very risky?
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David Beim, Professor Emeritus
in Finance & Economic
Columbia Business School

12:00 - 1:30 pm.
Faculty House

Join us after for lunch at the Faculty House buffet at EPIC reduced rates
A Message to EPICureans!
Happy 2019! Keep reading - no platitudes to follow. Just two thoughts apropos of the new year. In our more youthful days, Orwell's “1984” was a portrait of a distant dystopian future. Now 1984 is long gone and the Orwellian dystopia has found fertile soil in our modern silicon-based society. (The cheerful part for all the authors in our crowd is that Orwell was on the 2018 Times best seller list once again!)
In a way Orwell is a perfect segue to EPIC’s first 2019 Tuesday Talk by Business School Prof Emeritus David Beim: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Nature of Money, where both money and "news" occupy virtual worlds. Much to think about with respect to the positive and negative aspects of our interconnected instantaneous world. I hope that you can join us on January 29, as well as for the interesting season we have scheduled.

We had a good turnout for the Winter Reception – and Prof. Ellie Hisama’s talk on Marian Anderson’s gospels helped to remind us that as dismal as the times may seem today, they were horrifyingly worse not very long ago. We have many activities planned for the Spring - stay tuned and participate. Have a good day.
 
 Jeanne Mager Stellman, President, EPIC
Professor Emerita & Special Lecturer
Mailman School of Public Health
EPIC Yoga January 10, 17, 24
Professor Emerita Virginia Papaioannou , a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance, continues to lead EPIC Yoga.

No prior experience is required to join. Yoga can benefit people at all levels of physical training and health, but it is always wise to consult with a physician before undertaking any new exercise regime. Modifications will be offered to any participants with specific limitations arising from recovery from injury, arthritis, limited movement, or other causes.

Two one-hour classes are offered each week.

The 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. class practices breathing techniques and moves through some basic yoga poses, concentrating on alignment, balance, and flexibility. Those with experience move more deeply into the poses.

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. , we practice gentle/chair yoga, which is ideal for those of more limited mobility or flexibility. Classes include breathing, stretching, and yoga poses, done either seated in a chair or standing. No yoga mats are required for this class.

Please see the EPIC events calendar for schedule details.

For more information, see the EPIC website or email Lalla Grimes.
On the horizon: Graduate Scholar Talk
February 7, 2019
Daniella Wurst, Doctoral Candidate and Teaching Fellow
Department of Latin American and Iberian Studies

Breaking the Frames of the Past

12:00 - 1:30 pm.
Faculty House


Join us for buffet sandwich spread and great conversation!