| Volume 22 ● October 2018 |
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NeuroSummit 6 on Pender Island, BC |
Volume 22 - October 2018
A Potluck for the Mind
We just concluded an incredible four days at NeuroSummit 6 off the Canadian coast on beautiful Pender Island, British Columbia. The sixth edition of NeuroSummit was truly “a potluck for the mind” -- full of invigorating and re-energizing conversations, presentations, meals, and nature. In the words of one of our participants, it was a gathering of “unlike minds but like hearts.” There was diversity in interests and backgrounds and unity in optimism for building a better more responsible future, in open-mindedness, and in the value of a supportive community.
NeuroSummit is an annual gathering of artists, designers, community organizers, and technologists who assemble to discuss current projects and visions of the future. It is a venue to share and learn, to talk and debate, and to imagine what is possible. Throughout the gathering, we had a series of presentations and discussions, local cider and wine tastings, a musical performance, and exploration of the island’s natural beauty, all interspersed with informal yet profound conversations. Here are a few highlights and themes that emerged.
Many of this year’s conversations focused on building more inclusive and equitable communities. Art can open minds and imaginations, create freedom and possibilities for people. Unfortunately it can sometimes be difficult to access, and new ways of thinking about technology, community organizing and education have the ability to foster better communities. New forms of music for users of cochlear implants, or a new generation of art galleries and foundations that are founded on more participatory, inclusive, and educational principles aim to--in the words of one of our participants--“open eyes as a way to open doors” in people’s lives.
A strong introspective thread wove through many presentations with sincere and vulnerable conversations that asked questions about overcoming personal fears and failures, and challenges of maintaining commitments to people and things important to us, and asking ourselves what is important to us to begin with? We were asked to write a letter to someone in our life, a form of reaching out that many of us have forgotten, but one that forces us to slow down and to be more thoughtful and intentional about this remote relationship.
What is my agency and my responsibility to the world through my work? We debated the ethical implications behind what we do and our responsibility for what we put out into the world.
The origins of NeuroSummit are rooted in a tradition of spending quality time in an intimate group hacking on a weekend project, and while the evolution of the event has taken a path more focused on the exchange of ideas and building relationships amongst the Neuro community, there were plenty of conversations that reported on various exploratory undertakings and fascinations. We experienced demonstrations of the Glome, a mesmerizing LED light installation, and the Artiphon INSTRUMENT 1, a new digital musical instrument, had a dance party inside Osmos, an inflatable pavilion, and learned about experiments on the nature of plasma.
All participants were encouraged to reflect on their values and ethos, aspirations, and how the rest of the Neuro community may channel the collective energy of the group to inspire or accelerate the impact of an individual. The core of Neuro has been, and remains on speculating about and envisioning the future, and remarkably, this was reinforced through the contributions and conversations throughout the weekend. It was a magical affair.
Below are a number of inspiring books, films, and talks that surfaced at #neurosummit6 :
“The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker
“Playing Big” by Tara Mohr
“The Happiness Hypothesis” by Jonathan Haidt
“Welcome to Your World” by Sarah Williams Goldhagen
“It Didn’t Start With You” by Mark Wolynn
Letters by Mark Twain
“Russian Ark”
“The Oppenheimer Moment”
Thanks for sticking with us this far! Look us up on Instagram as @_neurotransmitters. We hope to see you again for NeuroSummit 7! And until then, remember
Every act of perception is,
To some degree an act of
Creation, and every act of
Memory is to some degree
An act of imagination.
-Oliver Sacks |
If Neurotransmission pleasantly tickles your neurons, please share it!
We wish you a happy and prosperous October!
This newsletter is curated by neurotransmitters.network.
© 2018 Neurotransmitters
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