Author Athena Aktipis launches A Field Guide to the Apocalypse with Stand-up Science performance

OR...WHO KNEW THE END OF THE WORLD COULD BE A LAUGHING MATTER?

Athena Aktipis (aka “the zombie prof”) launches her latest book, a common-sense guide to understanding, surviving, and thriving in our time of complex chaos and crises.

Join comedian Shane Mauss and multi-talented cooperation theorist Athena Aktipis, an Arizona State University professor, for Stand-up Science -- a night of apocalyptic hilarity -- as they chat about the challenges facing humanity and how we can use comedy, adaptability and a sense of adventure to deal with – and do something to prevent utter disaster.

WHEN: Tuesday. April 9, 7-9 pm

WHERE: Walter Studios, 747 West Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ, 85007

WHO: Shane Mauss Stand-up comedian, adventurer and science enthusiast Shane Mauss has been interviewing scientists since 2014 on his podcast, Here We Are. Originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, this former factory worker skipped college to become a comedian. His stand-up has been on Comedy Central, Conan, Kimmel, Showtime and Epix. Compelled to talk about bigger ideas, he now travels to universities around the world (when there isn't a pandemic) to interview researchers on a journey to learn what makes us who we are… as well as a bunch of other random stuff you never imagined you would care about. Favorite topics include: psychology, biology, evolution, cognitive biases, behavioral economics, mating, animal behavior, neuroscience, entheogens and consciousness.

Athena Aktipis Athena Aktipis is a professor at Arizona State University. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, history, brain science, game theory, and more, cooperation theorist (and, coincidentally, zombie expert), Athena reassuringly explains how we, as a species, are hardwired to survive big existential crises. And how we can do so by leveraging our innate abilities to communicate and cooperate. (Illustrations by Neil Smith). Her previous book, The Cheating Cell: How Evolution Helps Understand and Treat Cancer, Is further proof that Aktipis is out to help build a better and more resilient future for all humankind.

HOW: Doors open at 6 p.m. Cocktails Get your tickets here $25 or $35 with book

AND YES, EVEN IN AN APOCALYPSE, THERE JUST MIGHT BE A SECOND CHANCE: Join a whole band of dooms-players on Thursday, April 18, 6:30-8:30 pm Changing Hands (Phoenix): The Apocalypse Road Show, where Athena and friends will kick off a traveling variety show about how to survive the apocalypse.

Aktipis is by turns, witty, insightful, reassuring, silly, and always interesting…There’s information on everything from raising self-sufficient children to adopting a future-oriented lifestyle to apocalypse dating tips. There’s also a great deal of thoughtful commentary on probable upcoming realities…Teens will enjoy both the topics and tone of Aktipis’ survival guide. -Booklist review

Arizona State Professor Athena launches her latest book: A Field Guide to the Apocalypse: A Mostly Serious Guide to Surviving Our Wild TimesPhoto byLindsay Mills

Who knew the end of the world could be funny? Join Comedian Shane Mauss & Professor Athena Aktipis for Stand-Up Science: Apocalypse EditionPhoto byLillian Schenck

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE APOCALYPSE is a lively, tongue in cheek, and surprisingly comforting guide to preparing for apocalyptic events.Photo byWorkman Publishing