Nerd Nite - November 20th

Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other humans this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at pittsburgh@nerdnite.com! This event will feature the following presentations:

"Even the Losers Get Lucky Sometimes: Breaking Down Tom Petty’s Best Lines and Enduring Appeal"

Why does Tom Petty's music resonate so deeply with fans across generations? In this presentation, we’ll explore the magic behind his songwriting—simple yet profound lyrics that speak to universal themes of freedom, defiance, and love. We'll break down his most iconic lines while diving into the psychology of his broad appeal. From anthems like "Free Fallin’" to heartfelt tracks like "Wildflowers," discover how Petty's ability to balance vulnerability with strength has made his music timeless, connecting with listeners on both a personal and collective level. Expect an engaging blend of lyric analysis and cultural insight.

Ronnie is a Pittsburgh-based comedian with 13 years of experience, known for his clever, relatable humor. He has opened for Demetri Martin and Jeff Arcuri, headlined Don't Tell shows, and recently released his YouTube special Second Funniest Kid in School. Ronnie also hosts the Skullet podcast, where he interviews emerging comics while growing out a skullet until reaching 100 episodes.

"Playing God: Building Living Robots"

Is the robot apocalypse nigh? Is AI going to take all of our jobs? Did you forget to turn off your oven? Did Dr. Frankenstein not go far enough?? This talk will assuage all of your techno-pessimistic fears by adding a new one: a LIVING robot apocalypse! Saul Schaffer just spent the last 5 years of his life slaving over these questions, and he has the answers for you, dear audience.  In this talk, you will learn about the wild and wonderful world of biohybrid robots. We'll talk about what they are, what they want, and the witchcraft involved in conjuring and studying them. Scientists don't want you to know the secret of building robots from biology but in this talk, Dr. Schaffer spills all!

Saul Schaffer received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, like, 3 months ago. When he isn't doing science, Saul loves to rock climb outside, mountain bike, make hummus, and create 3D printed cast glass sculptures. In his heart of hearts, Saul's one true desire is to snap his fingers and painlessly convert the entire world to the metric system.

"Semiotics: The Study of Signs"

A discussion about semiotics (the study of signs) and how different types of signs shape our worldviews differently. 

Eben Parker is a comedian, filmmaker, and producer. They worked in the WWE SmackDown Writers' Room and toured nationally as an opener and content creator for comedian Steve Hofstetter. Eben is a founding member and Director of Operations for Gaslight Comedy, an outfit that brings nationally touring comedians to Pittsburgh's East End. 

Social game:

Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends or trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.

If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel,

This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.