Thursday, November 7, 2019

Roquemore's proximate legacy: TEDxIVC

“Why we still got monkeys?”
     Evidently, before he resigned as President of Irvine Valley College, Glenn Roquemore approved a TEDx event at IVC. (See here.)
     It looks like a real winner!
     According to a TEDxIVC press release (see graphic below),
Realtor and Trumpian Prizmic
Mark Prizmic, Organizer of TEDxIVC, has announced 9 speakers that will be giving a TED Talk at TEDxIVC on March 6, 2020. TEDxIVC will take place at Irvine Valley College’s Performing Arts Center. The theme of the event is “Modifying Human Perception” which is intended to introduce the audience to…a “hidden array of thoughts and ideas that will effectively challenge our perspectives on life.”
     Sounds pretty wacky.
     Prizmic is a former IVC student and a local realtor. Two years ago, at age 19, he was appointed to the board of the Orange County Selective Service System.
     What kinda fool would appoint a self-promoting teenager to run Selective Service?
     Why, that would be the self-proclaimed "stable genius," aka President Donald Trump. (See here.)
   

     Among TEDxIVC’s “currently booked speakers” (elsewhere, we’re told that “Speakers may not be confirmed”!) is “Celebrity TV Show Host and Comedian Steve Harvey.”
     You know Steve. When Harvey isn’t hosting the scholarly “Family Feud,” he's offering erudite zingers:
Harvey advises women not to date atheists because you don’t know where the man’s “moral barometer” is, and says that as far as someone not believing in God, “well, then, to me you’re an idiot.” … Harvey … went on to say that Darwinism is essentially nonsense because he doesn’t think the universe “spun out of a gastrous [sic] ball and then all of a sudden we were evolved from monkeys.” If that were true, he says, then “why we still got monkeys?” (CNS News)
     Why we still got monkeys INDEED!
     Another “currently booked” speaker is Disney "star" Skai Jackson and “InspiringPhilosophy” Director Michael Jones.
     Jackson, we’re told, is “Getting a lot of appreciation for acting, memes and her hair.”
     A triple threat!
     What’s “InspiringPhilosophy”? It’s a “christian [sic] apologetics video library.” –That is, it is a website, featuring videos, dedicated to defense of the Christian faith.
     The website explains itself thus:
We … see many non-Christians trying to pull anyone they can away from Christ with misinformation. We need to equip our youth with the resources they need to stand for Christianity and not be pulled away. If they can understand why Christianity is true then when their hearts doubt the reason of the mind can remind them of what is true. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things. We need to not only give our hearts to Jesus, but our minds as well….
     Wicked and deceitful above all things! Gosh, that IS inspiring!
     Another unconfirmed speaker is Abbey Gibb, who is “the Founder of the holistic lifestyle TV network called Abbey Gibb TV.”
     Garsh.
     And on it goes.
     The specter of this highly dubious event came up today at the meeting of the IVC Academic Senate Rep Council. Acting IVC President Cindy Vyskocil was on hand to explain that the college is doing all it can to distance itself from the event, but legal realities might prevent cancelling the dang thing.
     Sheesh.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is the college at least making money? They are not charging for tickets are they?

Anonymous said...

All speakers are to get approved by the board prior to event. How did this make it through that process?

Anonymous said...

Because it’s a facility rental, NOT a school or District event. Obviously Glenn once again overrode the facilities committee to get a pet or “prestigious “ rental to occur on campus. Typical self serving asshole Glenn.

Anonymous said...

Is it free for students or are they using our facility to make a profit? What kind of fees are they paying? Where is the money going?

Anonymous said...

Ultimately, what is the purpose of these TED talks at IVC: change the name to Glenn talks and we will get the drift of what was intended.

Anonymous said...

According to the TED X page, an event of this type ("university"): "Holding your event for your university? This event type is for those hosted at a college or university, and organized by current university administration staff, faculty or students." Also: "A university license must be held by a current student, faculty or staff member of that university. (Sorry, former staff or alumni aren’t eligible to apply!)"

This event seems to violate that - unless it IS being put on by a current student or staff. Is it?

Also, they can charge up to $100.oo per ticket. So, it is a for-profit event.

Is this group paying for use of the PAC or are they getting it for free or at some discount? Or is it a fundraiser for some good cause? Or? What's the deal?

What does modifying human perception even mean?

Anonymous said...

It means we take your money while we spout our empowerment bullshit and you’re OKAY with it. Yes, it’s for profit. Questions? Ask Facilities and/or PAC for details. Don’t look here, duh!

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

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