Updated: On August 11 at Galapagos, my (brief) lecture: "Why Atlantic Yards Makes Me Angry (and Makes Me a Better Journalist)"

On August 11, at the Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO (directions), I'll be participating in the "Get Smart" lecture series. Doors open at [updated times] 6:30 pm and the event starts at 7:30 pm.

The title of my talk is "Why Atlantic Yards Makes Me Angry (and Makes Me a Better Journalist)".

[Updated: Entrance is free; those who wish to RSVP to ensure a seat should do so at gargi[at]galapagosartspace.com.]

Here's one example of something that sparked my anger and pushed me to do a better job: the New York Times's inadequate coverage of the Barclays Center naming rights agreement, and my unsuccessful effort, at least with the newspaper's Public Editor, to challenge the claim that the deal is still worth "nearly $400 million."

From the promo:

Galapagos Art Space presents Get Smart, a new type of lecture series that combines discussions from some of the greatest minds in New York City with world-class entertainment and delicious cocktails. Each evening will feature three dynamic 15-minute lectures, punctuated by performances and cocktails befitting of the evening’s conversation. Learning’s finally sexy again at Galapagos every Thursday night.

tonight’s speakers:

Norman Oder writes the watchdog blog Atlantic Yards Report. A former Executive Editor at Library Journal, he has written about Atlantic Yards for The New York Times, The New York Observer, Places Journal, The Brooklyn Downtown Star, and The Urban Lawyer. In 2008, The New York Observer named him one of the 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate.

Lori Ortiz is an NYC-based journalist and dance critic. She worked as dance and art section editor at Offoffoff.com and has contributed to publications including DANCE, Pointe, The Village Voice, PAJ Performing + Arts Journal, Gay City News, The Durham-Herald Sun and Artcritical.com. She currently serves on the Dance Critics Association Board.

Malia Mason is a Professor at Columbia Business School, specializing in two lines of research: the first is devoted to understanding the tactics that people use to make sense of others (e.g. mindreading, perspective-taking, stereotyping) and how the brain mediates social interactions. The second line of research identifies strategies for managing attention and coping with indecision, and explains why the mind is driven to wander despite heroic attempts to task it.