On the Cosmic Dimension of Human Stories (In-Person)

These tickets are for the In-Person version of this event. To buy tickets for the livestream CLICK HERE.

IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION

• This event will be in-person and live online.
• All attendees—both in-person and online—can participate in the audience Q&A.
• This event will be recorded on our YouTube channel.
• Portions of the audio will be released on our podcast.

HEALTH AND SAFETY*

• Masks are required for this event.
• Proof of vaccination is required for this event.
• If you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay home and enjoy the livestream access instead.

ACCESSIBILITY

If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the event. For more information, explore our Accessibility web page.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

One of the 10 most radical discoveries in human history is that of cosmogenesis, the narrative of how the expanding universe is evolving into stars, galaxies, life, and human consciousness. It is certain that over time this discovery will have a major impact on humanity, but it is still too early to know the details.

The challenge to this discovery is the thorny question of how human subjectivity relates to the evolution of the universe. Is there cosmic meaning in our ongoing efforts—like using memory and art—to record our experiences?

Cosmologist and CIIS professor in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Brian Thomas Swimme’s newest book, Cosmogenesis, tells the story of how the new cosmology demolished his modern industrial mind, then slowly assembled a new mind, one rooted in the creative energies of our developing universe. Brian's experiences provide a glimpse into one of the ways cosmogenesis might be transforming human consciousness at the species level, a transformation necessary for ushering in a new era of the unfolding story.

Join us for a unique conversation with Brian and novelist and CIIS professor in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing Carolyn Cooke as they explore the impact of time-developmental cosmology and its potentiality to impact, and possibly transform human consciousness.

Brian Thomas Swimme is a professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He is the host and co-creator of Emmy-award winning PBS documentary "Journey of the Universe." As Director of the Third Story at Human Energy, a public-benefit organization, he worked with Monica DeRaspe-Bolles and Devin O'Dea to create the popular YouTube series, “The Story of the Noosphere.” His published work includes The Universe is a Green Dragon (1984), The Universe Story (1992) written with Thomas Berry, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos (1996), and The Journey of the Universe (2011) written with Mary Evelyn Tucker.

Carolyn Cooke’s books include Amor & Psycho, Daughters of the Revolution, and The Bostons. Her fiction has also appeared in AGNI, New England Review, the Paris Review, Ploughshares, Best American Short Stories, and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. A first recipient of the PEN/Robert Bingham Award, she has also won fellowships and awards from Breadloaf, the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Djerassi Foundation, MacDowell, Ucross, the Vermont Studio Center, and Yaddo. Carolyn is a professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing (MFA) at CIIS.

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*For in-person events we require all guests and staff to be fully vaccinated. All patrons must present a vaccination card along with a matching photo ID. We will follow the best practices laid out by CDC and San Francisco County to minimize the spread of COVID and will continue to revise our policies as the situation changes.

For verification purposes you are considered to be “fully vaccinated” two weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

For this event, due to the constantly evolving situation, we will be monitoring local case counts and guidelines to determine our masking requirements closer to the event date. Please note that the event will take place entirely indoors. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to abide by any masking or social distancing requirements we may implement to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. All guidelines will be communicated by email to event attendees in advance of the event.

If you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay home and enjoy the livestream access instead.