Eyal Press Lecture (Sept. 9, 2013)

Several students went to Eyal Press' lecture on September 9 and I have compiled their observations and reactions below (each color represents a different student).  Thanks for sharing!

Main point:
- telling people's stories about standing up for your rights; gives you confidence to stand up for what you believe in; he is really confident
- He focused on one main point, which was having courage!  In other words, to say something different than others do.
- Sometimes life makes you pick between choices just like the ones in the story.
- He was describing the characters he chose (why did he choose them? people who defied authority, defended their conscience)
- Press' main idea, in my view, is to make all readers understand the real situation of each character, or each person who made so tough choice at that moment.
- Why he wrote the book and why he chose these people

Something you agreed or disagreed with him about:
- I agree that even if you are alone, you should do what you believe in, not what everyone does
- I agree with him that we need such a kind of person that he mentioned in his book in order to change our world from good to better.  Those people are considered game changers.
- I agreed with him almost on everything especially the main point.
- I disagreed with him about Edward Snowden.  He is not a good man because he showed private information.
- I agreed with all of them, the characters both in the book and in the lecture, are in a specific condition.
- I agree with him in everything

A question you would like to ask him:
- What made him think to write the book?
- If he were Edward Snowden? Would he do the same as Edward did?
- Which person does he feel neutral about?
- I wonder about his indication of the characters as "heroes" who were pushed by different driving forces but it looks like got the same result.
- If he had a chance to meet Snowden, would he meet him?

Description of what it was like to be there:

Estimated number of people in the audience	~100, 150, 150-250, 300, >300, ~350
Average age of people in the audience	freshmen, 18-25, <25, 25,  20-30, 30
How the audience acted during the lecture	- quiet, disciplined, interested - quiet and listened carefully - interested and thrilled - interacting - listening carefully - they were good listeners
What the auditorium looked and felt like	-it would be scary to stand in front of all these seats, it is really huge - it looked like a very formal place and I felt like I was a critic - very quiet and interested - he was a little confused
Your reaction to tonight’s event	- it was amazing, I got excited on the things you believe in, it gave me hope - it was a really nice and good experience to present such a kind of lecture, especially since it was in English - educating - it gave me a chance to know some new characters - thinking about the meaning of one man fighting against all - I was very happy because I didn't miss a lecture like this