Groupe Défense conferences: Col J.L.LEFEBVRE

Colonel Jean-Luc Lefebvre, a graduate of TELECOM ParisTech(86) and professor at the Collège interarmées de défense, will share his thoughts on the theme of his recently published book:À la recherche du cinquième élément : From fire to space, a brief history of conquests...Since the mastery of fire, followed by the appropriation of land for agriculture and livestock breeding, then the exploitation of the seas for commercial purposes and the flight of aviation pioneers, cultural history can be interpreted as the successive conquest of the four traditional elements: fire, earth, water and air. With the exception of fire, which enjoys a special status, each element is also a medium whose relationship to man is analyzed from historical, sociological, political, economic and, above all, strategic angles. Access to space - the fifth element - is part of the continuity of man's successive achievements, but also, in a way, a break with the past, since, by enabling billions of people to see their little planet through the window of their television set, the whole of humanity is becoming aware of itself as a special, fragile and threatened species... In this adventure of ours, the development of communications plays a key role, which will be discussed at length.Free conference, registration required.