Steven James is a published psychiatrist and an accomplished storyteller. His innate curiosity about the world and its culture is reflected in his lectures and will keep your audiences engaged and wanting more. His background in neuroscience and history and his experience with engaging people offers a refreshing perspective of the world and its mysteries.

During a medical career spanning over forty years he has held academic positions at medical schools including Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania in addition to pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly, AbbVie and Merck Serono. In both, Steven created and presented entertaining and informative programs for professional and lay audiences. He has also appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and introduced his research to a television audience.

The Tale of Two Times Enrichment Series by Steven P. James, MD

The “Tale of Two Times” consist of four interrelated enrichment topics on the nature of time and travel designed to both entertain and engage cruise ship audiences. This program draws from my over three-decade medical and scientific career in Chronobiology which is the science that studies biological rhythms and how living organisms adapt to the external world including solar and lunar cycles. Examples of biological rhythms discussed include circadian rhythms such as the sleep cycle and seasonal rhythms such as reproduction and mood.From this biology essential for survival arose the products of human ingenuity and civilization. The "Tale of Two Times" is not only about the biology of time; it also extends into the historical evolution of timekeeping itself.

Throughout history, the quest to understand and organize time has been a pivotal part of human civilization. From ancient sundials to the precise atomic clocks of today, our journey in timekeeping mirrors our understanding of the very biological rhythms that tick within our bodies. Chronobiology and the story of timekeeping in civilization are intertwined, reflecting our perpetual attempt to align our biological clocks with the world around us.

This endeavor has shaped not only the way we structure our societies but also how we understand our own health and well-being. As we've evolved from observing celestial bodies to developing sophisticated timekeeping devices, we've also deepened our understanding of how our bodies operate on a fundamental level, influenced by cycles of light and dark, activity and rest.

The following four topics can be delivered as a separate, stand-alone presentation or provided as a continuing series for the duration of the cruise.

The four enrichment topics I present:
1.The Clockwork Human and the Outside World
On this topic we will delve deep into the intricate workings of our circadian rhythms, the internal clocks that orchestrate our daily lives and overall well-being. We'll explore how these rhythms, deeply embedded in our physiology, guide our sleep patterns, hormone release, eating habits, and much more, ensuring that our bodies are in harmony with the natural cycle of day and night. Starting with an introduction to the pivotal role of sunlight, we'll examine how light acts as the primary regulator of our internal day, influencing everything from our mood to our metabolic processes. Moving through the biological world, we'll compare human rhythms with those of plants and animals, showcasing the universal nature of these biological timers. Lastly, we'll investigate the cultural and biological significance of darkness, uncovering stories from the night that reveal our complex relationship with the circadian rhythm and its impact on health and society. This topic can be provided from one to four 45-minute presentations as desired.
2. Sundials to Modern Times
After introducing the biological basis of time, this presentation delves cultural origins of timekeeping from the rudimentary sundials of ancient civilizations to the sophisticated atomic clocks of the modern era. We explore how each advancement in timekeeping technology played a pivotal role in societal development, enabling more precise measurements of time. Specifically, we look at how ancient clocks were instrumental in the early explorations and scientific achievements of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, laying the groundwork for future innovations. Moving forward, we trace the evolution of these timekeeping mechanisms through the Roman Empire, highlighting key milestones that led to the precision instruments we rely on today. This exploration not only showcases the technological progress but also underscores the critical importance of accurate time measurement in the fabric of civilization. This topic can be provided from 1 or 2 forty-five-minute presentations as desired.
3. The Dawn of Days: Origins of the Calendar
The development of calendars marks humanity's enduring attempt to align life with the rhythms of the natural world, reflecting a deep-rooted necessity to structure time based upon seasonality. Calendars, designed to predict change in season, which have significantly evolved from lunar to solar-based formats like today's Gregorian calendar, are crucial for organizing not just daily activities but also for the broader scope of social, religious, and agricultural events across various cultures. By exploring different calendar systems, we gain insights into how societies have historically navigated celestial patterns and seasonal shifts, thus revealing the calendars' technical advancements and their substantial influence on human civilization. These two presentations underline the calendar's role not only as a practical tool for timekeeping but also as a cultural symbol that captures the collective knowledge and environmental interactions of past generations. This topic can be provided from 1 or 2 forty-five-minute presentations as desired.
4. Longitude: The Invisible Lines that Changed our World
The relationship between longitude and timekeeping is a pivotal discovery that dramatically transformed the art of navigation, guiding sailors across the vast oceans with unprecedented accuracy. Before this breakthrough, navigating the sea was fraught with peril, as mariners relied on the stars and rudimentary maps, often leading to tragic outcomes. The Greek epic, the Odyssey, illustrates early challenges of maritime navigation, where Odysseus's journey home was plagued by misdirection and danger, symbolizing the uncertainty of sea travel without precise tools for determining position. This struggle persisted until the 18th century, when a maritime disaster, the sinking of the Scilly naval fleet in 1707 due to navigational errors, galvanized the British government to pass the Longitude Act. This act aimed to solve the longitude problem by offering a prize for anyone who could devise a practical method for accurately determining a ship's longitude at sea, leading to significant advancements in timekeeping and navigation. The story of the genius of John Harrison and the development of the chronometer finally allowed by the mid eighteenth-century access to discovery using maps with longitude and latitude.


Optional Presentations: Stories of Maritime Discovery:
I am always available to create custom presentations of famous maritime explorers that continue the topics introduced in the four enrichment topics. One example would be the story of James Cook that would be related to “Longitude: The Invisible Lines that Changed our World” with further discussion on John Harrison and the chronometer that Cook relied on in charting the Pacific Ocean
James Cook
Captain James Cook's voyages across the uncharted waters of the Pacific Ocean marked a pivotal era in exploration, significantly expanding the European understanding of the world. His discovery of the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 stands as a testament to his navigational prowess and the advanced maritime techniques of his time. Cook's expeditions were among the first to make extensive use of longitude, a feat that greatly improved the accuracy of sea voyages. By employing the latest innovations in timekeeping, including the use of the marine chronometer by John Harrison, Cook was able to chart his position with unprecedented precision, opening new routes for trade and colonization. His journeys not only bridged distant civilizations but also laid the groundwork for future scientific and geographical discoveries. Cook's legacy, marred by his eventual demise in Hawaii, underscores the complexities of first contact and the profound impact of exploration on indigenous cultures and global history.

I have lectured internationally in North America, the EU and Asia over 30 years to professional and lay audiences on scientific and historical topics. My approach is to engage my audience and integrate history into relevant scientific and geographic topics through story telling and humor.