FHSU University Relations

“Evolutionary economics” — the human tendency to risk money for foolish or frivolous reasons — will be the topic up for discussion at Fort Hays State University’s 49th Science Cafe, at 7 p.m. Thursday at Gella’s Diner, 117 E. 11th St, Hays.

Presenter Dr. W. Trey Hill, assistant professor of psychology, will guide the discussion, “Evolutionary Economics: What Darwin Might Tell Us About the Motivations to Make Risky Financial Decisions,” and ask the question of why we sometimes spend money carelessly.

“We gamble, take unnecessary risks, try to ‘one-up’ our neighbors and friends, and even attempt to impress the opposite sex by spending more than we have,” Hill said. “There is compelling evidence that we are all born with the tendency to take risks — financial or otherwise — in very specific situations.”

At 7 p.m. March 12 in the Robbins Center on the FHSU campus, the Science Cafe will celebrate the 50th meeting in the series with science journalist Chris Mooney, who will present “The Science of Why We Don’t Believe in Science.” The discussion will be on the concept of denialism, or why people won’t accept scientific facts for political or personal reasons.

Free and open to the public, the regular meetings are designed to provide a free flow of information about a certain topic, with discussions mediated by a presenter.