Image of Ori Gersht’s work courtesy of the Hirshhorn.

DCist’s guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area

This week, we continue to highlight next Monday’s speaking events at the end of the article for early planners, but keep today’s plans right here at the top for the rest of us. As always, be sure to bookmark this month’s Museum Roundup for even more learning events, and check these sites for some discussions we may have missed.

Monday:
>> At 7 p.m., Politics and Prose is hosting a talk with Abraham Verghese about his book Cutting For Stone, a “rich story about twin brothers born to an Indian nun at an Addis Ababa mission hospital.”

Tuesday:
>> At 7 p.m. tonight, the Hirshhorn hosts Israeli artist Ori Gerscht, who will be discussing his photographic and film work.

>> Politics and Prose hosts author Richard E. Nisbett discussing his book Intelligence And How To Get It, in which he “refutes the notion that intelligence is biologically determined.”

Wednesday:
>> Head to the American Goethe Society at 6:45 p.m. today for a book discussion on The Black Spider (Die schwarze Spinne), a novella written by Swiss author Jeremias Gotthelf which tells “the cautionary tale of a devastating plague that … destroys the animals of a farming community.” RSVP to: 703-237-0858 or e3rj@aol.com.

>> Or, from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight, Politico and Starbucks are teaming up at GW’s Gelman Library to host a political conversation with Politico’s Mike Allen, CNN’s Dana Bash and NBC’s Chuck Todd to discuss the new Presidential administration. Free, but space is limited so get there early.

>> Film producer Lou Stroller, whose credits include Scarface, The Rock, The Producers and Carlito’s Way among others, will be at Sixth and I tonight at 7:30 p.m. to “share clips and behind the scenes stories” at an Inside the Producers Studio event. Free, but RSVP suggested.

>> Or, unite with other environmentalists at the National Building Museum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at For the Greener Good: A Green World is a Safer One with architect Ed Mazria. He’ll be discussing “climate change and his two-year, nine million jobs investment plan that addresses the current economic crisis by building upon his widely adopted 2030 Challenge.” Post-Mazria, former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta “will talk about the impact of sustainability on the world political climate.” $20 for non-members.