No matter which way you slice it, drinking tends to be a mindless activity.
Sure, there once a day in which the bar debate encouraged lively discussions, but that time has long passed (Google solves pretty much everything in an instant).
Chances are the majority of your nights out are spent trying to pick-up or chatting about the lowest common denominator you can find, like the weather or the celeb-filled selfie at the Academy Awards.
If you're looking to get in on a more stimulating conversation, your opportunity has come at O'Shea's Irish Pub on Clematis Street, starting next week the bar is beginning a Science on Tap series in which scientists host interactive talks over adult drinks.
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Starting on Thursday, March, 13 at 6 p.m., the downtown West Palm Beach bar is teaming up with South Florida Science Center and Aquarium to host a science cafe pop-up (it's a growing trend throughout the country), in which for the price of a beverage -- or dish -- guests can come to discuss trends and ideas in science and technology with a world-class scientist.
The subject for the first meeting is "Visual perception: How our brains create the world we see."
Dr. William Bosking, member of the Palm Beach Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience and senior neuroscientist at Max Planck will explain the complexities of visual illusions and what we can learn from them.
Bosking will be expounding upon how normal vision works and they ways in which it is altered with disease or damage. Attendees will be invited to interact with a number of visual illusion experiments, such as mapping their own blind spots and denoting the importance of attention.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium," said Dr. Bosking. "I think it is perfect timing considering that it is Brain Awareness week [March 10 - 16], which is a global celebration about advances in brain science. While learning about brain science is important, as visual illusions may be indicative of sickness or disease, it does not have to be overwhelming. The format of 'Science on Tap' will be casual, interactive and fun."
The goal of the series is to make science fun in a comfortable educational setting.
"With 'Science on Tap' we are really looking forward to expanding our audience," said Kate Arrizza, South Florida Science Center COO. "Science is sexy - no longer do 'nerds' and 'geeks' draw the same connotation that they have in previous generations. Whether you love animals, dinosaurs, mysteries of the mind, cooking, swimming - whatever it is that you enjoy, there is some sort of science behind it, and if you are interested in learning more, while most importantly having fun, we encourage you to come out to one of these events."
There is no cost to attend Science in Tap. Happy hour specials are available during the event, including $1 off well drinks, $3 draft beers, $4 bottle beers and $3 Irish Car Bomb drinks (starting at 7 p.m.).
O'Sheas Irish Pub is located at 531 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Call 561-833-3865, or visit osheaspub.com.
For more information on the 'Science on Tap' series, call 561-832-1988 or visit sfsciencecenter.org.
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