Futurology: Optimism and Failure

Emerging technologies can transform society, for both good and bad. How can we shape technology to create the tools we need to face the future? Futurologists Cory Doctorow and Mark Stevenson are joined by James King to discuss what we can hope for and what we should guard against.



Cory Doctorow is a science fiction writer, journalist, technology activist and co-editor of the weblog Boing Boing.



Mark Stevenson is the author of An Optimist’s Tour of the Future.



James King, 2011 A&D Witt Artist in Residence, investigates the unintended consequences of technology.



With support from Living Arts and the Risk Science Center.





This lecture took place on September 15, 2011 as part of the University of Michigan School of Art & Design’s Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series. Established with the generous support of alumna Penny W. Stamps, the Speaker Series brings respected emerging and established artists/designers from a broad spectrum of media to the School to conduct a public lecture and engage with students, faculty, and the larger University and Ann Arbor communities.



All programs take place on Thursdays at 5:10 pm at the historic Michigan Theater, located at 603 E. Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, and are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please visit: http://art-design.umich.edu/stamps