Matthew Mars, PhD
Barbara Starrett
SaddleBrooke Freethinkers are proud to have Matthew Mars, PhD, speak on “Searching for Authenticity in Western Boomtowns” on Sunday, Nov. 23. The meeting is held at the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse Vermillion Room, with a coffee social at 9:15 a.m., and the program beginning at 9:45 a.m.
The Western United States is dotted with historic boomtowns that have evolved into destinations for artists, art enthusiasts, foodies, and tourists who seek to experience history and the simpler life of yesteryear. The architectural preservation of these former boomtowns generally feature authentic façades that align a sense of place with visitor expectations while also including high-end boutiques, fine art galleries, modern cafés and eateries, wine shops and craft beer taprooms, and novelty/souvenir shops. These trendy offerings foster consumption experiences that are disconnected from what life was like during the historic booms and from the present-day realities of rural living. In this talk, Dr. Mars will explore how the inauthentic curation of Western boomtowns shapes the experiences of visitors and community members alike.
Matthew Mars, PhD, is Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Public and Applied Humanities at the College of Humanities, U of A. Dr. Mars earned a BA in sociology at Utica College of Syracuse U, a MEd in counseling and human relations at Northern Arizona U, and his PhD at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the U of A. He is an award-winning interdisciplinary scholar who teaches and writes about community innovation and the influence of market narratives on everyday life and routines. Matt is currently the co-editor of Advances in the Study of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Growth series, associate editor of Community Development, and a member of the editorial board of Local Development & Society.
SaddleBrooke Freethinkers provides a forum for the responsible search for truth and meaning in understanding and solving human problems by applying science and reason. We believe that tolerance, compassion, equity, and civility should characterize interactions among people and organizations. We strive to achieve these goals through meetings, lectures, and discussions.
You can become a member of the SaddleBrooke Freethinkers for $15 per calendar year. This fee includes all lectures and other Freethinkers events like the book club and social events. The lecture program runs January through April and October through December. Lectures are open to all SaddleBrooke residents and their guests as space is available. Non-members are encouraged to make a $5 donation to defray costs.
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and/or cash donations for the Tri-Community Food Bank.
For dates of future programs, go to our website at SBFreethinkers.wordpress.com.
For questions or to be added to the email list, please send your contact information to saddlebrookefreethinkers@gmail.com.