After school on February 7, students from the World of Ideas course and Philosophy Club put on a Ted X style event in the auditorium, called “Bolt from the Blue.” The speakers chose a topic they were passionate about and gave a 3-5 minute presentation about it. Topics ranged from the dangers of gatekeeping to what makes us human. Various staff members and students were in attendance.

Senior Imanuel Gonzalez, an audience member, felt that the talk made him aware to different perspectives and beliefs.

“I enjoyed learning how my peers’ perspectives shape the way they think about society,” said Gonzalez. “ It also made me feel more open minded.”

Jane Harrigan-Raschid, a senior at Lightridge, chose to speak about gatekeeping music in fan culture.

“Talking about art and music in Philosophy helped me rethink the way I thought about interpretations of meaning,” said Harrigan-Raschid, “and give others a new perspective to consider.”

Harrigan is a member of the Philosophy Club, and enrolled in Dr. Jessica Legnini’s World of Ideas course.

“I chose to take the class because I loved Dr. Legnini as a teacher,” said Harrigan-Raschid, “ and I liked how she encouraged us to think about what we were learning.”

“You can’t understand and produce any kind of belief system if you don’t explore the avenues philosophy opens up,” Legnini said when asked why she thought it was important for students to have access to philosophy. “I want them to know about systems of thought that are already out there, and find out more about themselves.

The Philosophy Club is planning to put on another talk sometime before the school year finishes.