Hi Folks

We've got exciting Autumn news to share over the coming weeks. 

But first a note about a forthcoming series of online classes by our good friend, JF Martel, who some of you will know from his fantastic Weird Studies podcast with Phil Ford.

JF and Phil are busy working on a Weird Studies book for us but, in the meantime, please do consider joining JF to explore Art in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in a series of online classes and presentations that he'll be hosting via Nura Learning. 

The course starts on Tuesday 12 September. (UK readers – it's tied to an Eastern US timezone but all classes are recorded and come with copious reading and research materials.)

Thanks!
Mark and Jamie / SAP

“The atom bomb and its explosion are the mere final emission of what has long since taken place, has already happened.”

Martin Heidegger’s thoughts on the threat of nuclear holocaust may also shed light on the dream and nightmare of AI. Indeed, these two upheavals—nuclear war and machine intelligence—may be more than technologically related; they may share a spiritual élan. After all, Heidegger’s contemporary Rudolf Steiner spoke of two devils haunting modern humanity: Ahriman and Lucifer. Industry and algorithm.

What is this event that has already happened and announces itself now in the form of machines seeming to think, dream, and write sonnets? What does it mean for the artists and seekers among us, those whom Jack Kerouac lovingly called the Mad Ones? 

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence has made remarkable strides, showcasing unprecedented capabilities in domains such as image generation, music composition, storytelling, and even filmmaking. As Lucifer and Ahriman blur the boundaries between creation and generation, human and machine, they present us with an extraordinary challenge: to rediscover our essence, redefine our purpose, and learn to dream the Real into being.

ART IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE consists of readings, lectures, and group discussions. For J.F. Martel, this is an opportunity to expand on ideas first expressed in Reclaiming Art in the Age of Artifice in view of contemporary developments in technology, culture, and society.

More info and sign up details here