Marcelo Gleiser SOCIAL MEDIA

Marcelo Gleiser Keynote Speaker

Theoretical physicist and Appleton Professor of Natural Philosophy at Dartmouth College
Author and co-founder of 13.8
Templeton Prize laureate, Fellow of the American Physical Society, a recipient of the Presidential Faculty Fellows Award from the White House and NSF

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Marcelo Gleiser's Biography

Marcelo Gleiser is a highly sought-after speaker, renowned for engaging discussions on the intersection of science, philosophy, and the search for meaning. His speaking topics often include the limits of scientific understanding, the historical and philosophical roots of science, and the future of human civilization.

Currently, Gleiser is the Appleton Professor of Natural Philosophy and a professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College. His career is marked by significant roles, such as the founder and past director of the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Engagement at Dartmouth and the co-founder of NPR’s science and culture blog 13.7.

Gleiser has authored seven influential books, including “The Island of Knowledge: The Limits of Science and The Search for Meaning,” “A Tear at the Edge of Creation,” and “The Simple Beauty of the Unexpected.” These works, translated into 18 languages, explore the boundaries of science and its implications for understanding our world. His voice has also been prominent in various publications. His popular writings explore the historical, religious, and philosophical roots of science, past and modern, and the future of our project of civilization.

Marcelo’s expertise is frequently featured in media, with appearances on TV documentaries and radio shows both in the U.S. and internationally, showcasing his ability to communicate complex ideas to a broad audience.

His scholarly excellence is recognized through several accolades, including the Presidential Faculty Fellows Award from the White House in 1994 and the prestigious 2019 Templeton Prize. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, joining a distinguished group that includes Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and scientists Freeman Dyson, Jane Goodall, Francis Collins, Martin Rees, and Frank Wilczek.

Gleiser earned his Ph.D. from King’s College London. In addition to his academic and literary pursuits, he has been actively involved in various charitable endeavors and committees, leveraging his expertise for broader societal impact.

As a speaker, Marcelo Gleiser has engaged audiences at events for various esteemed organizations. He is a respected voice in discussions about science, philosophy, and the quest for knowledge.

Marcelo Gleiser lives in Hanover, New Hampshire, amidst trees and brooks, with his wife and two younger sons. He is an avid trail runner, a moving meditation practice he pursues with the discipline of the devout.

Science, Technology, and Humanity’s Future

What kind of future will current technologies create? What impact will these technologies have in our individual lives and at the corporate level? I analyze the social, economic, and ethical impact of new technologies, including AI, genetic engineering, and data mining digital technologies, focusing on how we can make sure that they serve our project of civilization sustainably and ethically, instead of creating a dystopic future.

Science Lessons for the Corporate World

Science and its practice have much to teach to the corporate life. Science requires humility to accept that knowledge is always limited, the courage to take risks and make mistakes, the understanding that failure is an essential part of growth and learning. In science, disruptive ideas come from the limitations and failures of previous ideas. The search for the new is essential for progress, even if the new clashes with past practices and worldviews. I use examples from the history of science to illustrate how they can enrich the corporate life, aligning it to foster new ideas, maximizing the creative power of corporate leaders and employers at all levels.

How to Sustain our Project of Civilization: Corporate Ethics for the 21st Century

Astronomy teaches that everything that exists has a history: the universe, stars, planets, life. Our existence and survival is profoundly contingent to what happens to our home planet. Imbalances in climate or in air and water quality and access, war and geopolitical instability, and the fragile equilibrium that determines the stability of human society quickly collapses. After 200 years of accelerated industrial growth, our very success has become an existential risk for humankind. We, as a species, are at a crossroads and the choices we make now will determine the course of our project of civilization. I explore these ideas and connections between cosmos and life using a systemic view of planetary science and economics, proposing a new paradigm for corporate ethics that can reframe the future of our species and the life collective we coexist with.

Our Search for Meaning

I explore teachings from philosophy, science, and religion to situate our existence as a self-searching narrative. To live with a sense of mission and act on these objectives has the power to change who we are and why we are here. I present my Theory of Existential Circles, that start at the individual, go on to family and community, and expand to embrace the planet and the cosmos, to illustrate our connection to and co-dependence with all that exists, inspiring a new emotional path that seeks to be emotionally transformative, embracing humility and spirituality. We are the product of our choices, and how we choose to live and to relate to others and to the world around us must align with all the existential circles we belong to.

The Mystery of Who We Are

Humans are an enigma, animals capable of contemplating infinity, of writing poems and composing symphonies, but also of committing atrocious crimes against other humans, animals, and the planetary environment. How did we get here? Why do we still behave in such ways, after thousands of years of “civilization”? We build technological wonders while morally remaining in the caves of our distant ancestors. Is there a way to celebrate growth not as a personal or monetary victory but as a good that should be shared more equitably? Is it possible to grow morally in a world of challenges and temptations? These are some of the questions I explore in this lecture, suggesting solutions informed by science and philosophy that embrace profound emotional and spiritual changes aligned with a new future for our species.