Distinguished author, historian, and celebrity scientist Dr. Jared Diamond will visit campus to give a lecture entitled “Globalization: For Better or Worse?” Dr. Diamond is best known for his 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, which explores the social and environmental reasons for Eurasian hegemony throughout world history. His latest book, 2005 bestseller Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, explores how societies undercut their progress by inflicting environmental damage. In his lecture, Dr. Diamond plans to share his personal insights and expertise on how societies can capitalize on the positive consequences of globalization while avoiding its negative repercussions. Dr. Diamond’s lecture is the “culminating event” of Andover’s 2006 Symposium: The Challenges of Globalization, according to Derek Williams, Instructor in Social Science. The symposium, organized by Mr. Williams, is meant to educate students about pressing issues in the world today while introducing them to the diverse opinions and thoughts of accomplished men and women who play an active role in education. The speakers featured so far in this series have included author Amy Chua and former NPR reporter Sarah Chayes. Dr. Diamond teaches geography and physiology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. His many prestigious awards include a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, and research prizes from the American Physiological Society, National Geographic Society, and Zoological Society of San Diego. He has also received various teaching awards and endowed public lectureships, the Carr Medal, the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, and Japan’s International Cosmos Prize. In 2000, Dr. Diamond received The National Medal of Science award for his critical research and groundbreaking discoveries in evolutionary biology. The medal is one of the most prestigious American scientific awards. Dr. Diamond has also been elected as a member of the top three American scientific and academic honorary societies. These societies are the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Dr. Diamond will speak as the Bernard and Louise Palitz lecturer. In 1991, Louise and Bernard Palitz ‘42 established the lecture fund in honor of their 50th Reunion. The fund raises money to bring renowned speakers to Andover. The lecture will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, in Cochran Chapel and will be followed by a question and answer session and a book signing.
