NY Posthuman SPRING Summit 2019
We are delighted to inform you that our next NY Posthuman Winter Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, to be held at NYU, 6.00-8.00 pm. We have a line of visionary speakers to present:
Invited Speakers
Farzad Mahootian
(NYU):
"Valediction of Monsters: Shelley’s Frankenstein and Lem’s Golem XIV"
Brandon Ambrosino
(Villanova University):
"Social Media and the Concept of Now"
Niccolò Invidia
(University of Groningen):
"AI vs. IR: The Myths of International relations in the age of Transhumanism"
Invited Performance
Virginie Sommet:
"99c Dreams: Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too"
Full abstracts and bios available in the last section of this email.
Upcoming Conferences
1. "Posthuman Ethics"
New York Posthuman Research Group - 3rd Glocal Conference
NYU, April 27-28 2018
2. "Cultures of the Posthuman"
10th "Beyond Humanism" Conference
University of Wroclaw, Poland, July 18-21 2018
3. "Learning to be Human"
The World Congress of Philosophy,
University of Beijing, August 13-20 2018
Members News
Francesca Ferrando: (Online Course) "The Posthuman"
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAXeXR1DbC1rvnBtdo2-ol-3V8ePmr7jp
Kevin Lagrandeur: (Article) "Art and the Posthuman"
in the book: "Posthumanism: The Future of Homo Sapiens". Michael Bess and Diana Walsh Pasulka, eds. (Macmillan, 2018).
Yunus Tuncel: (Book) "Nieztsche and Transhumanism":
https://www.amazon.com/Nietzsche-Transhumanism-Now-Yunus-Tuncel/dp/1443872873
Here all the details to attend our NY Posthuman Winter 2018 Summit:
When
Wednesday, February 7th, 6.00-8.00 pm.
Where
NYU-Liberal Studies, 726 Broadway, 6th Floor New York University, NY 10003.
Room: Conference B.
RSVP
Entrance is free, registration is required:
To register, please fill out this form
If you are planning to attend, please make sure to send the form,
otherwise,the security will not let you in the building.
Our most sincere gratitude goes to NYU for all the kind, generous and precious support offered to our Group.
ABSTRACTS
Abstract 1: “Valediction of Monsters: Shelley’s Frankenstein and Lem’s Golem XIV"
Harold Bloom observes that, despite his privileged upbringing, excellent parentage, and the best education, Victor Frankenstein is a “moral idiot.” His undying Prometheanism aside, there is an inherent evil in his act of creation: Frankenstein’s creature is constructed apart from any reference to aesthetic values” (Whitehead). The creature suffers at the hands of human society and thereby understands the moral and aesthetic depravity of his origin. He learns first-hand “the responsibilities a creator owes to his creature,” and violently conveys this lesson to his creator—indeed, the creature gets the last word. Frankenstein’s technical success is his utter downfall. Stanislaw Lem carries this problematic forward in the context of artificial intelligence in his tale of Golem XIV, the most advanced AI in a series of military AI failures. The Golems are fitted with moral algorithms—what could possibly go wrong? Lem’s is not the typical AI-apocalypse scenario: he ingeniously removes the source of Frankenstein’s most obvious vice—his clumsy disregard for human connection— to lay bare deeper flaws of human creative genius.
Bio: Farzad Mahootian
Farzad Mahootian (Ph.D. Philosophy; M.S. Chemistry). is a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. His interdisciplinary work focuses on the interactions of metaphor, myth and science in the context of scientific theory, practice and history. Recent publications include, “Metaphor in Chemistry,” and “Whitehead on Intuition.”
Abstract 2: Social Media and the Concept of Now
We become nostalgic for the present, as Frederic Jameson has noted, when “we draw back from our immersion in the here and now … and grasp it as a kind of thing.” But is it really possible to thing-ify the present? Doesn’t the present become un-presented the moment we try to grasp it at all? Yet our culture has increasingly come to believe that the present is experienced only by grasping it — in a status, in a live feed, in a photograph. As Nathan Jurgenson argues, social media “forces us to view our present as increasingly a potentially documented past.” How has social media altered our understanding of the present? What effect does this new understanding have on our sense of self and community? This talk will briefly explore these questions with an eye toward theology and ethics.
Bio: Brandon Ambrosino
Brandon Ambrosino is a writer focusing on the intersection of religion, culture and technology. His pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Economist, Politico, The Wilson Quarterly, Smithsonian Magazine, Globe and Mail, Playboy, and the BBC, among other outlets. He is a graduate student at Villanova University.
Abstract 3: "AI vs. IR: The Myths of International relations in the age of transhumanism"
The field of International Relations has for too long been presented as an ahistorical, chauvinistic clash of states and powers based on the notion that mankind is inherently egotistical. Three decades ago, constructivism introduced a more flexible conception of human relations, nation-states and history. Very recently, ‘New Materialism’ has recognized the growing importance of technology in IR. What this paper aims to do is further this structural change of the field through the adoption of a transhuman
constructivist standpoint. This approach focuses on observing the current level of technological interdependence and on the potential characteristics of a future transhuman society, giving new insights on the agency-structure debate and on global society. Finally, the study will offer some reflections on the ramifications of transhumanism in the ontology of IR theory.
Bio: Niccolò Invidia
Niccolò Invidia holds a Master in Global Governance from the University of Groningen. He has worked at the European Parliament, in the Industry Committee (ITRE) and at the Millennium Project in Washington D.C. where he has researched about technological unemployment and UBI.
Performance: "99c Dreams" - Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too
Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too to be reflected upon from a posthuman perspective. This Art Performance is divided in three parts:
-History of Marriage
-3 small short films
-Sexual Harassment/Me too.
Bio: Virginie Sommet
Virginie Sommet is a conceptual artist with strong Pop underpinning. Her focus has been on creating sculptures, installations/collages from familiar objects in our culture that reflect a wide range of uncertainties regarding social issues. Sommet is driven to visually tackle challenging topics that examine societal constraints. Virginie completed her BFA and MFA in Conceptual Art at University Paris VIII.
--
This will be a very exciting Meeting: we are looking forward to seeing you again and keeping developing together the posthuman turn.
Visions and Appreciation,
The Organizers of the NY Posthuman Research Group:
Francesca, Farzad, Kevin, Yunus and James
Invited Speakers
Farzad Mahootian
(NYU):
"Valediction of Monsters: Shelley’s Frankenstein and Lem’s Golem XIV"
Brandon Ambrosino
(Villanova University):
"Social Media and the Concept of Now"
Niccolò Invidia
(University of Groningen):
"AI vs. IR: The Myths of International relations in the age of Transhumanism"
Invited Performance
Virginie Sommet:
"99c Dreams: Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too"
Full abstracts and bios available in the last section of this email.
Upcoming Conferences
1. "Posthuman Ethics"
New York Posthuman Research Group - 3rd Glocal Conference
NYU, April 27-28 2018
2. "Cultures of the Posthuman"
10th "Beyond Humanism" Conference
University of Wroclaw, Poland, July 18-21 2018
3. "Learning to be Human"
The World Congress of Philosophy,
University of Beijing, August 13-20 2018
Members News
Francesca Ferrando: (Online Course) "The Posthuman"
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAXeXR1DbC1rvnBtdo2-ol-3V8ePmr7jp
Kevin Lagrandeur: (Article) "Art and the Posthuman"
in the book: "Posthumanism: The Future of Homo Sapiens". Michael Bess and Diana Walsh Pasulka, eds. (Macmillan, 2018).
Yunus Tuncel: (Book) "Nieztsche and Transhumanism":
https://www.amazon.com/Nietzsche-Transhumanism-Now-Yunus-Tuncel/dp/1443872873
Here all the details to attend our NY Posthuman Winter 2018 Summit:
When
Wednesday, February 7th, 6.00-8.00 pm.
Where
NYU-Liberal Studies, 726 Broadway, 6th Floor New York University, NY 10003.
Room: Conference B.
RSVP
Entrance is free, registration is required:
To register, please fill out this form
If you are planning to attend, please make sure to send the form,
otherwise,the security will not let you in the building.
Our most sincere gratitude goes to NYU for all the kind, generous and precious support offered to our Group.
ABSTRACTS
Abstract 1: “Valediction of Monsters: Shelley’s Frankenstein and Lem’s Golem XIV"
Harold Bloom observes that, despite his privileged upbringing, excellent parentage, and the best education, Victor Frankenstein is a “moral idiot.” His undying Prometheanism aside, there is an inherent evil in his act of creation: Frankenstein’s creature is constructed apart from any reference to aesthetic values” (Whitehead). The creature suffers at the hands of human society and thereby understands the moral and aesthetic depravity of his origin. He learns first-hand “the responsibilities a creator owes to his creature,” and violently conveys this lesson to his creator—indeed, the creature gets the last word. Frankenstein’s technical success is his utter downfall. Stanislaw Lem carries this problematic forward in the context of artificial intelligence in his tale of Golem XIV, the most advanced AI in a series of military AI failures. The Golems are fitted with moral algorithms—what could possibly go wrong? Lem’s is not the typical AI-apocalypse scenario: he ingeniously removes the source of Frankenstein’s most obvious vice—his clumsy disregard for human connection— to lay bare deeper flaws of human creative genius.
Bio: Farzad Mahootian
Farzad Mahootian (Ph.D. Philosophy; M.S. Chemistry). is a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. His interdisciplinary work focuses on the interactions of metaphor, myth and science in the context of scientific theory, practice and history. Recent publications include, “Metaphor in Chemistry,” and “Whitehead on Intuition.”
Abstract 2: Social Media and the Concept of Now
We become nostalgic for the present, as Frederic Jameson has noted, when “we draw back from our immersion in the here and now … and grasp it as a kind of thing.” But is it really possible to thing-ify the present? Doesn’t the present become un-presented the moment we try to grasp it at all? Yet our culture has increasingly come to believe that the present is experienced only by grasping it — in a status, in a live feed, in a photograph. As Nathan Jurgenson argues, social media “forces us to view our present as increasingly a potentially documented past.” How has social media altered our understanding of the present? What effect does this new understanding have on our sense of self and community? This talk will briefly explore these questions with an eye toward theology and ethics.
Bio: Brandon Ambrosino
Brandon Ambrosino is a writer focusing on the intersection of religion, culture and technology. His pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Economist, Politico, The Wilson Quarterly, Smithsonian Magazine, Globe and Mail, Playboy, and the BBC, among other outlets. He is a graduate student at Villanova University.
Abstract 3: "AI vs. IR: The Myths of International relations in the age of transhumanism"
The field of International Relations has for too long been presented as an ahistorical, chauvinistic clash of states and powers based on the notion that mankind is inherently egotistical. Three decades ago, constructivism introduced a more flexible conception of human relations, nation-states and history. Very recently, ‘New Materialism’ has recognized the growing importance of technology in IR. What this paper aims to do is further this structural change of the field through the adoption of a transhuman
constructivist standpoint. This approach focuses on observing the current level of technological interdependence and on the potential characteristics of a future transhuman society, giving new insights on the agency-structure debate and on global society. Finally, the study will offer some reflections on the ramifications of transhumanism in the ontology of IR theory.
Bio: Niccolò Invidia
Niccolò Invidia holds a Master in Global Governance from the University of Groningen. He has worked at the European Parliament, in the Industry Committee (ITRE) and at the Millennium Project in Washington D.C. where he has researched about technological unemployment and UBI.
Performance: "99c Dreams" - Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too
Marriage History, Sexual Harrasment and Me too to be reflected upon from a posthuman perspective. This Art Performance is divided in three parts:
-History of Marriage
-3 small short films
-Sexual Harassment/Me too.
Bio: Virginie Sommet
Virginie Sommet is a conceptual artist with strong Pop underpinning. Her focus has been on creating sculptures, installations/collages from familiar objects in our culture that reflect a wide range of uncertainties regarding social issues. Sommet is driven to visually tackle challenging topics that examine societal constraints. Virginie completed her BFA and MFA in Conceptual Art at University Paris VIII.
--
This will be a very exciting Meeting: we are looking forward to seeing you again and keeping developing together the posthuman turn.
Visions and Appreciation,
The Organizers of the NY Posthuman Research Group:
Francesca, Farzad, Kevin, Yunus and James