The Nickel City Forum

Forum 2/26/26: Is AI an Existential Threat?

On Feb 26, 2026, we had a Nickel City Forum event at Five Points Bakery on the West Side of Buffalo. Dr. Steve Petersen is Professor of Philosophy at Niagara University, and is a leading researcher in AI issues. He addressed the question of whether Artificial Intelligence is a threat to humanity. (TLDR: It is) Note: The event recording failed, so this is a follow-up recording with Dr. Petersen.

The Good Life: Empowerment

Dr. Phil Woodward finishes the last of his six approaches to philosophical values for the good life: Empowerment. What does it mean to be autonomous? Is this a good we can seek, in itself?

The Good Life: Devotion to God

Fr. Bryan and Phil continue on to the 5th approach to the good life: living a life of devotion to God.

Best Books 2025

The Nickel City Forum team - Fr. Bryan, Dr. Phil Woodward, Dr. Phil Reed, Dr. Sam Cloud, and Sharon Murphy - share their favorite books from 2025.

Forum Follow-up: Suffering with Dr. Cloud

Fr. Bryan chats with Dr. Sam Cloud about the 12/3/25 Nickel City Forum at Big Ditch Brewery on the topic, "How to Make Sense of Suffering."