Ignorance is sometimes bliss

Ignorance is sometimes bliss

Evolutionary biologist W.D. Hamilton predicted that organisms ought to evolve the ability to discriminate degrees of kinship so as to refine their ability to direct help to individuals with whom they shared the most genes. But two WUSTL biologists point out that there seem to be many cases where “a veil of ignorance” prevents organisms from gaining this kind of information, forcing them to consider a situation from the perspective of all members of their group instead of solely from their own perspective or that of their close kin.

Basij-Rasikh delivers a simple but powerful message for the Assembly Series: ‘Educate a girl. Change the world’

Growing up under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s family literally risked their lives to provide an education for their daughters. She learned early on the danger females face in seeking an education but she also experienced its rich rewards. Today she is paying her good fortune forward to empower some of the estimated 66 million girls who are denied a primary education. Her message is simple: “Educate a girl. Change the world.” She delivers that message at 4 p.m. Friday, October 25 in Graham Chapel for the Assembly Series/Olin Fellowship Conference Lecture.

Arts & Sciences recognizes outstanding staff

Four staff members received the 2012-13 Arts & Sciences Outstanding Staff Award from Barbara S. Schaal, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biology. Schaal also presented the Dean’s Award to Ann B. Prenatt, vice chancellor for human resources, for her support, service and commitment to Arts & Sciences.

Global leaders to gather in St. Louis to strengthen U.S.-India connection around innovation and education

Leaders from two of the world’s top research universities and several major international corporations will gather in St. Louis Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20, for the Washington University in St. Louis-Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Corporate Conclave, aimed at strengthening the U.S.-India connection around innovation and education, particularly in addressing pressing global issues.

Fariba Nawa will serve as tour guide to two Assembly Series programs on Afghanistan

Afghan-American journalist and Opium Nation author Fariba Nawa will participate in two Washington University in St. Louis programs exploring the current and future state of Afghanistan: She will give an Assembly Series talk, “Afghanistan, Heroin and Women,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Umrath Lounge; and she will lead a panel discussion, “Aftershocks of the Afghanistan War: What’s Next for Those Who Left and for Those Left Behind,” at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Mallinckrodt Center’s Multipurpose Room. Both are free and open to the public. Nawa was born in Afghanistan but later moved to California. She returned after the U.S.-led fight began against the Taliban and al-Qaida in that country, and in 2011 wrote a book about the addictions, violence and other tragedies borne of Afghanistan’s opiate industry.

Spring Awakening Oct. 25 to Nov. 3

With its blunt depictions of adolescent sexuality and startling mixture of contemporary expression and fin de siècle restraint, Spring Awakening—by WUSTL alumnus Steven Sater—is among the most influential, unexpected and beloved Broadway shows of recent years. On Oct. 25, the Performing Arts Department will debut a new production in Edison Theatre.
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