Open to Interpretation: The Constitution Hot Topics Series Wednesday, May 19 6 p.m. Three legal minds gather to discuss constitutional interpretations of current legal issues. In this wide-ranging examination of current judicial interpretation, the panel will address the Electoral College, freedom of speech, executive orders, the separation of war powers, and how much power has drifted to the Executive Branch over the last 75 years through congressional and judicial abdication.
The Nitty Gritty: What You Need To Know About Rare Earth Elements Hot Topics Series Thursday, June 3 6 p.m. Rare earth elements are not actually rare, but they have been in the news. This program will address the geology (what are they, where are they found), the environmental impact of extraction, the economics (fluctuating demand, supply chain), and the national security implications of rare earth elements.
Crossing the Threshold: The Continuity of Consciousness From This Life To The Next Consciousness Series Wednesday, June 9 6 p.m. Bruce Greyson, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia, has been studying near-death experiences (NDEs) for almost a half century. In this presentation, he shares some of his most important findings on the nature of life and death, illustrating his research data with captivating examples. Great Decisions: Global Supply Chains and U.S. National Security Great Decisions Series Wednesday, June 16 6 p.m. (Webinar) New this season, the Vail Symposium presents Great Decisions programs developed by the Foreign Policy Association. For those desiring a more participatory experience, the Great Decisions programs involve advance reading, watching a short video, and participating in a guided discussion. More detailed information to follow.
By The People: Voting and Elections in America Hot Topics Monday, June 21 6 p.m. (Webinar) Accommodations during the pandemic resulted in a widespread expansion of voting access throughout America--from 24-hour voting in Harris County, Texas to drive-thru voting in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Despite numerous officials from both sides of the aisle insisting the 2020 election was the most secure in U.S. history, backlash to the expansion of voting access has been swift with restrictive voting laws under consideration in 43 states. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Catie Kelley, the Campaign Legal Center’s Senior Director for Policy and Strategic Partnerships, and moderator Peg Perl, deputy director of elections, Arapahoe County discuss the state of voting and elections in America.
David vs Goliath: Colorado Takes on Big Tech Hot Topics Series Tuesday, June 29 6 p.m. (Webinar) In December 2020, Colorado joined 37 other states in a suit alleging Google is in violation of the Sherman Anti-trust Act. The suit alleges that Google has a monopoly in search and advertising, discriminates against competitors, and continues its anti-competitive practices in emerging technologies. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is joined in conversation with Colorado Public Radio justice reporter Allison Sherry to discuss the suit.
Mightier Than the Sword: Free Speech Hot Topics Series Wednesday, July 7 6 p.m. (Webinar) “I don’t agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire The Bill of Rights begins with the freedom of speech. From its inception the United States has championed the open and free expression of ideas, those widely accepted as well as those despised. In this timely program following the 4th of July holiday, author Ian Rosenberg examines several of the contemporary, critical questions surrounding free speech and the Supreme Court decisions that may provide answers. He will be joined in conversation by Professor Rebecca Aviel of the Sturm School of Law at DU. In Conversation: Ambassador Christopher Hill and Ambassador Gary Grappo Geopolitics Monday, July 12 6 p.m. (In Person) - Vail Interfaith Chapel Emboldened adversaries and skeptical allies confront the new administration’s foreign policy team as it attempts to rebuild American diplomatic leadership in the world. From Russia trying to remain relevant to China trying to assert dominance, it is a fraught world out there. Ambassador Christopher Hill provides a career diplomat’s view on the state of U.S. foreign policy. Ambassador Hill is a former career diplomat, a four-time ambassador, nominated by three presidents, whose last post was as Ambassador to Iraq, April 2009 until August 2010.
Summervail 50: Celebrating the Birth of Arts + Culture in the Vail Valley Special Event Monday, July 26 4:30 p.m. - Donovan Pavilion The Summervail Workshop for Art and Critical Studies, or Summervail, had a significant impact not only on those attending as instructors, professionals and students, but it was the beginning of the art and cultural movement in Vail. Gathering some of Summervail’s founders and one of its beloved guest instructors, Vail Symposium and Vail’s Art in Public Places is honored to present a special event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Summervail Art Workshop. The event will begin with a panel discussion with the founding members of the Summervail Workshop for Art and Critical Studies, moderated by Pulitzer-Prize Winning New York Magazine Senior Art Critic and columnist Jerry Saltz.
State of Democracy in Africa and Expectations for the Future Geopolitical Wednesday, Aug. 18 6 p.m. (Zoom Webinar) Africa has long been associated first with colonial rule, followed by authoritarian rule. Some go so far to suggest that like the Chinese, Africans prioritize development over democracy. Extensive polling by Afrobarometer (Africa’s version of Gallup polls) reveals a different narrative. Three Africa experts join the Vail Symposium to discuss the future direction of democracy and autocracy In Africa. Other issues to be addressed include whether democracy is a façade for autocracy and how African nations have addressed corruption.
The State of the Fourth Estate: News Media in America with Veteran Journalists Judy Woodruff and Al Hunt Hot Topics Series Wednesday, Aug. 25 6 p.m. (In Person) The media landscape of the past 50 years has shifted in profound ways. Two award-winning veteran journalists who lived and worked through these changes share their experiences. Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff is the anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour. She has covered politics and other news for more than four decades at NBC, CNN and PBS. Albert R. Hunt is a Washington columnist writing about politics and the co-host of 2022 Politics WarRoom with James Carville and Al Hunt. He was a Bloomberg Opinion and International New York Times columnist covering politics and policy. Woodruff and Hunt spoke at the Vail Symposium in the 1980s and we are pleased to have them return for our 50th anniversary season.
Clay Jenkinson: One Man, Two Presidents, Two Nights Special Fundraising Event Monday, Aug. 30 - Tuesday, Aug. 31 6 p.m. (In Person) If you could talk with Thomas Jefferson or Theodore Roosevelt, what would you discuss? While we cannot resurrect our past presidents, we can offer the next best thing--historian and historical reenactor Clay Jenkinson. Jenkinson will portray Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt (not simultaneously) on three nights. Start thinking about what you would ask them, because you might just get the chance.
Precognition: The Science of Predicting the Unpredictable Consciousness Thursday, Sept. 9 6 p.m. (In Person) Sensing the future is possible. Precognition is the scientific name for the knowledge or perception of the future, obtained through extrasensory means. For the past 15 years, cognitive neuroscientist and futurist Dr. Julia Mossbridge has researched the kind of intuition that is capable of predicting events selected by random number generators – in other words, events that are unpredictable based on existing patterns. In this presentation, Mossberg will outline the scientifically documented ability to use signals in the natural environment to predict future events that are normally thought to be unpredictable and share illustrative stories from her own experiences.
Workshop: Mental Time Travel Training Intensive Consciousness Saturday, Sept. 11 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (In Person) This intensive training is focused on enhancing your unconditionally loving connection with your past and future selves as a way to bring about two important outcomes: strengthening and healing yourself and your sense of aliveness in the world and improving your intuitive capacity for precognition, or predicting future events. You’ll learn the basics of both types of mental time travel, and more deeply understand why and how they are related. The prediction portion will focus on learning the first three steps of precognitive remote viewing.
Unlock the Power of Purpose Purposeful Living Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 6-7:15 p.m. (Webinar) Our culture is often accused of providing little in the way of solid advice for aging well and growing old with purpose. In fact, retirement is frequently characterized as a time of all leisure and no purpose. This presentation with Richard Leider is intended to help attendees navigate the transition from adulthood to elderhood, learn new mindsets and practices to grow whole, not old, and learn about purposeful transitions in all stages of life and ideas for “life reimagined.” Leider will conduct an online presentation, followed by a conversation with Terry Minger on personal and organizational longevity in the Vail Valley.
All Of The Above: Strategies for Tackling Climate Change Environmental Awareness Thursday, Sept. 23 5 - 7:40 p.m. (Webinar) A big problem deserves a big program. The Vail Symposium takes a look at some of the diverse solutions currently proposed to address climate change in this longer format, wide-ranging program. None of these options on their own is a silver bullet. However, taken together, these and other measures can begin to chip away at the problem that imperils our future. Topics range from seaweed’s role in drawing down carbon dioxide to the impact of carbon taxes in getting to net zero.
Whistler to Cassatt: The Making of an Exhibition Arts & Culture Tuesday, Sept. 28 6 p.m. (In Person) Why did many American artists turn to France for their training during the Age of Innocence between the American Civil War and the outbreak of the First World War? Why did some artists find life as expats preferable to returning stateside? And what was the reception back in the United States for American artists who had trained abroad in France? Dr. Timothy James Standring explains the challenges he and his team faced as they worked over the past five years to present this groundbreaking exhibition on American painters in France.
Preparing for the Worst: Eagle County Emergency Preparation Speaking Locally Thursday, October 7 6 p.m. (Webinar) A pandemic that has raged for more than a year, annual wildland fires that are the new normal, and mudslides throughout the valley and in neighboring counties are a few of the emergency events Eagle County has confronted recently. Join the Vail Symposium and Vail Valley Partnership for a webinar with key contributors to Eagle County’s emergency planning and response. This panel discussion seeks to understand how much joint preparation takes place between local agencies and who takes lead.
Dire Consequences: Why Humans May be the Next Endangered Species Environmental Awareness Thursday, October 14 6 p.m. (Webinar) Dr. Shanna Swan and her team of researchers completed a major study and found that over the past four decades, sperm levels among men in Western countries have dropped by more than 50%. How and why could this happen? What is hijacking our fertility and our health? Swan is joined by Colorado Public Radio health reporter John Daley to discuss Swan’s book “Count Down” to address these questions.
The Coldest War: Toward a Return to Great Power Competition in the Arctic? Great Decisions Series Thursday, Oct. 28 6 p.m. (In Person) Because of climate change, large sheets of arctic ice are melting, exposing vast stores of natural gas and oil. With Russia and China already miles ahead with their Arctic strategies, can the U.S. catch up? New this season, the Vail Symposium presents Great Decisions programs developed by the Foreign Policy Association. For those desiring a more participatory experience, the Great Decisions programs involve advance reading, watching a short video, and participating in a guided discussion.
State of the Valley Speaking Locally Wednesday, Nov. 10 9 - 10 a.m. (In Person) The Vail Symposium presents our annual State of the Valley in conjunction with the Vail Valley Partnership. The State of the Valley will be a facilitated panel discussion among local business leaders sharing what’s happening in our economy and their vision for the future of our community.