The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats. Source: Tembusu, Wikipedia
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WIP with Dr. Catelijne Coopmans & Prof. Brian Rappert

9 Oct 2014 | 6:00 pm |
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The Revelation Fixation:

The Apollo Moon Landings

Dr. Catelijne Coopmans & Prof. Brian Rappert

9th October 2014, 6pm

Level 1 Common Lounge

Register at tembusu.nus.edu.sg

We are working on a book about obsession with dramatic revelations. The claim that the Apollo Moon Landings were faked is an excellent case. Some people argue that if you look at the original videos and photos closely, they ‘reveal’ that the landings were faked. For us, the interesting question is not: “who’s right and who’s wrong?” or “how can the same evidence lead to radically different interpretations?” Rather, it is: what can we learn from this case to understand the pull of revelation in social and political life? Such revelation involves making secrets known, and making previously hidden aspects of the world accessible to all. In this seminar, we will discuss the merits of this new question. We also address the challenge of trying to say something different about a phenomenon that is usually discussed in the same way.