Nerd Nite NYC is back on Friday September 5, 2025 for the start of our – gulp! – 20th season! While we aren’t technically allowed to drink yet, we’ve secretly been doing Jager bombs and Rumple Minze shots in our off-campus apartment (because that’s what 20-year olds still drink, right???). Matt is back to kick-off our new season with three fun-yet-informative presentations about the science behind the perfect stand-up comedy set, the history of New York trash, and why Namibia is obviously the best country on Earth; and no, it’s not because of its strong beer culture, though that certainly helps. And trivia returns too, so bring some pals and win some perfectly adequate prizes. See you in September! Tickets here.

Nerd Nite NYC Season 20 Premiere
Friday September 5, 2025
Trivia + Presentations $16 at 7pm (doors at 6:30pm)
Presentations-only $12 at 8:15pm (doors at 8pm)
Littlefield: 635 Sackett Street, Brooklyn (Park Slope/Gowanus)
Tickets here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-nite-nyc-tickets-1389817474479?aff=oddtdtcreator

Back to the Lectures At-Hand:
*Presentation #1
The Science of Stand-Up: What Funny People Do to Our Brains
by Chelby Joseph

Description: Stand-up comedy has been a staple of American culture for over a century—why? Because our brains love it, that’s why! This lecture will walk you through the most legendary moments in stand-up history to explain why some jokes work, others flop, and what makes laughter (literally) magical. Get ready to say “HAHA” and “hmm…” all at the same time.

Bio: Chelby Joseph is a comedy connoisseur™ with experience at SNL, Sony Pictures, HBO, Last Week Tonight, and Nickelodeon! An NYU Tisch graduate, she’s spent her early career studying the art of funny. She also spoke to Conan O’Brien one time, which like…legally makes her a Harvard alum. Chelby’s personal hobbies include wearing glasses, but then considering getting contacts, but then just keeping her glasses anyway because it’s all too complicated.

*Presentation #2
A Brief (and Possibly Life-Altering) Look at the History of New Yorkers & Their Trash
by Robin Nagle

Description: Did you know New Yorkers used to just chuck their garbage straight into the ocean? This presentation dives into the gritty, fascinating history of NYC waste: where it went, where it goes now, and how it helped shape the city—literally, as in some of it became the land under our feet. Get ready to talk trash like a real New Yorker.

Bio: Robin Nagle is a clinical professor at NYU, where she teaches environmental studies, anthropology, oral history, and urban studies. She’s been the anthropologist-in-residence at New York City’s Department of Sanitation since 2006—and yes, she also worked the job in uniform. Her book Picking Up chronicles what she learned behind the trucks and on the streets with NYC’s sanitation workers.

*Presentation #3
Why Namibia is the BEST country on Earth – A Strongly Biased Point of View
by Katharina Herrle

Description: Do you find yourself commonly wondering about the landscape, history and people that make the Southern-African nation of Namibia so fascinating? Do you think about wanting to learn more about it on a daily basis? Well, of course you do! I am here to help: After this night, you will be able to provide fun facts, sad truths (but not too many) and interesting geographical insights when the topic of Namibia inevitably comes up at your next dinner party!

Bio: Hi, I am Katharina Herrle, commonly referred to as Katha. My ancestors immigrated from Germany to Namibia (formerly known as South-West Africa) in the late 1800s. I grew up there as a privileged white girl until I was 18, when I moved to Germany and took advantage of free college (yeah, that was a dig). I finished my Masters in Munich and started working for a well known American Tech company, which I still do today. I have lived in New York for around a year now and find it to be the absolute best! Now I talk to anyone who’ll listen about Namibia, while doing my best not to sound like I’m trying to make myself seem interesting or special. I’m really just here to spread the good word!