13/01/2012 Expedition: Acting Improvisation

After a long hiatus, we're back with Acting Improvisation. Find a fun way to connect with your friends as you explore the art of acting in the quirkiest and most creative way you can think of. Laughter Guaranteed.

07/01/2012 Cave Art: Dreams and Reality

From the collection of the world renowned Musée d’Orsay, over 140 Salon, Realists, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists paintings, photographs and drawings from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century will specially tour to Singapore this year. Titled Dreams and Reality: Masterpieces of Painting, Drawing and Photography from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, the exhibition explores the reaction of man towards modernity at the turn of the century from 1848 to 1912. The changing social and industrial landscapes of Paris in early modernity forced artists and photographers to rethink their approach to the visual world around them. Their varied responses generated new ways of depicting reality and a proliferation of styles.

Highlights of the exhibition include Paul Cézanne’s The Card Players,  Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night and Alexandre Cabanel’s The Birth of Venus. Many other key works by forerunners of modern art such as Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Jean-François Millet as well as female Impressionists Berthe Morisot, Marie Bracquemond and Eva Gonzalès will also be showcased. A portrait of Georges Clemenceau by Édouard Manet will travel exclusively to Singapore.

And taking us on this spellbinding tour through the industrial revolution and post-modernism is our very own Spelunker, Mumtaz Maricar, She will be conducting one of Plato's Cave's most popular events, Cave art at the end of her tour. At Cave Art, Mumtaz will teach you how to get your hands dirty and recreate the artistic styles of the exhibition!

Adult

$11     

Senior (Tourists 60 years and above)

NSF (with valid 11B pass)

HSBC Credit Card Holders

NHB Museum Pass Holders $6

Child(6 years and under)

Senior Citizen (Singaporean and 

Permanent Resident 60 years and above)

Student (with valid student pass) Free

Discount-priced tickets and complementary tickets are only available at NMS Visitor Services Counter, except for HSBC Credit Card Holders. 

07/01/2012: Expedition: Learn Salsa

I learnt salsa with Plato's Cave awhile ago and am interested in relearning the dance form. I would like to relearn the basic steps, explore variations in terms of footwork and more. At the end of the expedition, I want to be able to dance with my partner without requiring assistance or looking like an idiot. During the course of the expedition, we could visit salsa clubs too.

12/22/2011 Focus Inquiry

Description

Street Philosophy is back!

Since it is the first time in a long time we're having this, we want to welcome as many people in, and have as much input as to how we can get this off the ground!

This week's question is: "Can it be determined that my experience of consciousness is the same as everyone's?"

Do your homework, and come prepared.

RSVP here.

12/18/2011 Spiral Inquiry

History
Spiral inquiry is built upon the Socratic method of questioning. Pioneered by French Cafes in the 1992, it was made mainstream in San Francisco with the name “Socrates Café”. We at Plato’s Cave adopted the approach and made it relevant for locals.

What is it?

Spiral Inquiry is a workshop for inquiring minds to come together and share ideas. It is non-confrontational and promotes intellectual teamwork amongst its participants. This is done by the rationalizing the subject matter at hand, to a point where deep understanding can take place.

What do they get out of it?

They leave each session intellectually stimulated
Their Mental Acumen is sharpen progressively
Their level of confidence of expressing ideas and thoughts are raised

So come down with a question, everyone is invited! You will never know where the inquiry brings you.

RSVP here

12/17/2011 Explore Bukit Timah Hill

Description

Expedition requested by Prasatt (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517957353) & Jared (http://www.facebook.com/jarednair)

Guide's Writeup:
It's the highest point in Singapore( Which isn't saying much) but still a great workout and a fruitful time to explore nature. It's not as easy as it looks. Come down and find out why Prasatt and Jared love the place so much.

RSVP for the event here!

12/23/2011 Practice hockey

Description

Expedition guided by Tiru (http://www.facebook.com/tiru.selvan):

"I have been playing hockey ever since secondary school. I forced myself to quit after JC as my fitness plummeted. Now i need to start from the bottom but i still yearn to play the sport again. I can assist in guiding those who have never played but are keen to pick up the sport. It will be a good way to get fit as well. Location and logistics would be a problem so current or previous hockey players can help out to make this work."

To RSVP for event click here.

12/16/2011 Learn how to make great presentations with Prezi

Description

This expedition is guided by Shivanand Rai (http://www.facebook.com/shiva.rai)

"I am bored of sitting through slide presentations, as you maybe as well.

Technology has moved on and so should we.

I am tired of sitting through slide shows (yes both Keynote and Power point) that are ridiculously outmoded forms of presenting information to the audience. We are not naturally used to looking at countless bullet points but rather we in a presentation, images work better because the content (which is the main argument or point of persuasion) needs to be presented in a emotionally engaging manner.

Please check out: www.prezi.com

This great tool allows you to make more seamless presentations that is more image dependent then and can move in more organic manners then the rigid slides format.

I have done a couple of presentations of Prezi at SMU to rave reviews (and good grades) and I would like to impart this tips to whoever wants to learn.

If you are coming, take some time to mess around with the program and also post what sort of presentation you would like to make on the event wall."

RSVP for event here:http://www.facebook.com/events/288930667814536/

12/14/2011 Learn Basic Philosophy

Expedition Guided by Jared Nair (http://www.facebook.com/jarednair):

"It'll be a 3-4 week expedition. I want to cover the basics of philosophy, and by the end of it hope that participants will have a better grasp of the topics covered in philosophy, what philosophy is/isn't and why philosophy is important as a tool. It's a very basic expedition focusing on the fundamentals of philosophical analysis and critical thinking.

Week 1
What is Philosophy? The Basics
- What Philosophers do
- What Philosophy isn't
- Coherence in Argument and common Logical fallacies.
- Rationality, Truth and Justified Belief

Week 2
The topics and major arguments in philosophy
- Skepticism
-Exploring Mind/Body Theories

Week 3
Basic introduction to Moral Theories
- Deontology
- Utilitarianism
- Virtue Theory
- Difficulties faced in Moral Theories

Week 4
Dangers of Misapplying Philosophy
- Using philosophy for ideological advocacy, a case study in business ethics.
- How to sieve out bullshit from arguments.

Each Session will be 1.5 hours, with materials given to the participants. They should also bring a notepad and writing materials."

RSVP for event here.

12/10/2011 Explore Neuroscience

Expedition was requested by Pravind Paul (http://www.facebook.com/pravind.paul):

"I have had an interest in neuroscience for the longest time and I would like to pursue learning more about this field.
I am interested in learning
-what we can know about neuroscience: the methodology employed
-what constitutes the brain and its relation to the mind
-what are the limitations (if any) of neuroscience in answering questions about the mind

I have no prior knowledge of this field, so I would like to meet other enthusiasts. I am open to expanding the range of inquiry, and maybe we can create a roadmap of sorts to explore this subject.

I can be contacted at 92266615 for inquiries!
See you soon neuronauts!"

RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/231767633556754/