In the late 19th century, Chinese philosophers like Tan Sitong, concerned about growing Western dominance, sought to synthesize Chinese traditions to better adapt and confront Western modernity. In this trilogy, we approach things from the opposite perspective. As the global balance of power shifts away from Western domination, we take stock of the Western-influenced macro-historical tradition to prepare for an encounter with a more Asian philosophy of technology.
Session Introduction
In session #1 of a series of 3, Michel Bauwens will introduce the concept of macrohistory, the study of history on a large scale, spanning long periods of time, and exploring the insights of historical cycles. We are in a particularly intense period of transition, with multiple historical cycles converging into crisis moments. Understanding both the context of your local culture ("where you are") and the temporality of the current era ("when you are") is crucial. Only by grasping these determinants of time and space can you understand the nature of your freedom of action and become an effective agent of change.
Takeaways:
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Learn to avoid ‘post-seasonal’ behavior: strategies and tactics that worked in a previous cycle but are no longer relevant.
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Understand ‘seasonal’ behavior: what tactics and strategies are effective in this particular moment.
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Prepare for the future by cultivating ‘pre-seasonal’ seed forms: building today what the next cycle will need and promote.
Questions to Consider:
- Where am I in time? How does my personal situation and agency fit into the broader temporality of the current moment in world history? What’s my place in it?
Recommended Reading:
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Big Historical Foundations for Deep Future Speculations About Cosmic Evolution by Cadell Last. This text synthesizes the latest findings from Big History with transhumanist speculations.
The Digital Humanities Un-College (or the Un-College for short) is an initiative by digi-cnx and collaborators to offer curious popup villagers and Chiang Mai residents the chance to join or lead college-style learning activities on topics of their interest, under the broad umbrella of the ‘digital humanities’ (technology, society, history, innovation, the cosmo-local, policy, ethics, and more!). Follow us on Twitter/X for updates or subscribe to our newsletter.
The Un-College is open to anyone to submit and host a session. To learn more about designing a session visit our website.
digi-cnx is a local Chiang Mai network committed to dialogue and research on how digital technologies are impacting both people and our planet.