“A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens” is a gamified meditation examining the intersection of humanity and technology that has descended upon New York over the month of September. On its first weekend opened to the public, the exhibition had over 2,000 visitors and was named one of the “Top 15 things to do in NYC” by Time Out NY magazine.
A discussion between John Mack and best-selling author and historian Yuval Noah Harari premiered last week at the immersive exhibition and forum “A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens” in New York City to a sell-out audience. The filmmed conversation between Mack and Harari, entitled “Leaping off The Timeline”, recounts the conversation between the two intellectuals and no stones were left unturned. Topics discussed include a wide range of philosophical ideas like religion, technology, enlightenment, the metaverse and the desire for humans to create a future for themselves.
Mack began the discussion with Harari with this quote: “The future of our humanity is on the line”. And he continued by saying, “Unbeknownst to many, the human is currently deciding whether to remain human. What has brought us to such a critical juncture? And what changes must be made to ensure the survival of our humanity?”
Despite the film being pre-recorded earlier in April 2022, attendees to the screening got the chance to have a Q&A with Mack and covered the topics discussed in the film. For those unfamiliar with the multifaceted author, Mack also shared more about his works for the “Life Calling Initiative” and his prediction for the future of humanity.
Aside from the film’s debut, “A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens” plays host to an array of talks and events that are free to the public. Of all the topics discussed during this month-long exhibition, the relationship between man and technology takes the spotlight. How should our society navigate this increasingly uncertain era as the two realms become more intertwined? Perhaps, you can derive your own answers after a visit to the exhibition.
In addition to the broadcast between Mack and Harari, other highlights of the forum is a panel discussion hosted by Stanford University Professors Rob Reich, Jeremy Weinstein and Mehran Sahami about their co-authored book titled “System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot”. The programme will continue through the end of the month with conversations on how to strengthen our relationship with nature and create a more compassionate digital future, as well as a presentation by NYU’s Jonathan Haidt on the “Crisis of Social Media”, an evening with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and Tristan Harris, who took part in Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma”.
A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens
537 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
1 – 30 September, 2022
For more information about the exhibition, please visit: www.aspeciesbetweenworlds.com
About John Mack
John Mack is an artist, photographer, author, lecturer and the founder of the non-profit initiative “Life Calling”, whose mission is to foster awareness and balance for society in the Digital Age. Mack is a 2022 honoree of The Explorer’s Club 50: Fifty people changing the world who the world needs to know about. Mack also serves as a board member of Fairplay, an organisation that strives to create a world where kids can be kids, free from the false promises of marketers and the manipulations of Big Tech. He has served as an adjunct lecturer for the Graduate programme of Design at the University of Lisbon. He currently lives between London and Seville.
About Life Calling
Founded in 2021, “The Life Calling” Initiative responds to the increasingly eroding boundaries between humanity and technology in the Digital Age. Its fundamental mission is to both raise awareness and develop educational strategies to help preserve our humanity in light of the encroaching digital landscape. All events will be posted to the Life Calling Youtube Channel, and follow the Instagram here.
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