Exciting news about our 2019 Cultural Residency, exploring the Imagination Matters theme – Empathy. Each year here at the Institute of Imagination we run a residency inspired by one of our Imagination Matters themes. Through our Imagination Lab in Lambeth, the residencies deliver collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with visitors. Following 2018’s Places to Imagine residency and the wonderful…
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While we must take the implications of technological advancement seriously, we can still get excited about the possible benefits. By its very definition, empathy is about putting oneself in another’s shoes, so what better than virtual reality, “the ultimate empathy machine”? In this article from Futurity, Alex Shashkevich, Stanford University, is exploring new research into how technology…
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But “was he right?” Is the question being asked by Rafi Letzter in LiveScience. We hear a lot about the unstoppable nature of scientific advancement, but are we ready for it? There’s an argument being made, and not just by science fiction films, for caution. Before we accept the rise of the superhumans, it’s essential that…
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In general, projects such as this are an exciting advance for science – being able to travel to, land and build on the moon are incredible achievements for mankind. However, the aims of this ambitious ‘lunar library’ initiative go one further: to store the knowledge of thousands of years of humanity. This recognition is an…
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How our imaginations work and why we have them remains a mystery befitting of their infinite nature. In this article from The Atlantic and The Wire, Oxford professor and British Academy fellow, Timothy Williamson, seeks to find some answers, and prove how the ability to think in the abstract will always be key to our survival.…
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Our ability to create is what distinguishes and defines us as humans, and what we can achieve when we pool this resource is infinite. Unfortunately, some of humanity’s more damaging endeavours can lead us to doubt our ability to effect change. In her new book, Augustin Fuentes goes on an exploration of human creativity and…
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Now more from our season on the theme of empathy. The Guardian described Raoul Martinez’s book, Creating Freedom: Power, Control and the Fight for our Future, as ‘this year’s essential text for thinking radicals’. Here we wanted to share an extract where he explores how imagination bridges the gap between the empathy we need to combat…
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“Imagination is the source of all human achievement”. Sir Ken Robinson Teacher, writer, researcher, education specialist and iOi Patron Sir Ken Robinson is a pioneer of this philosophy. Whilst we focus on empathy on Imagination Matters, what better time than to revisit his talk as part of a series called ‘Educating The Heart And Mind‘, at the Dalai Lama Center…
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As part of our focus on empathy, here we’re looking at the power of uncertainty with an article from The CUT, New York Magazine‘s female-focused website and blog. Despite a general trend towards knowing one’s mind and the freedom that losing unnecessary baggage brings, Kristin Wong explores how it’s actually accepting the unknown which leads to…
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From May to August on Imagination Matters, we’re focusing on the theme of Empathy. Imagination helps us put ourselves in the minds of others, see things from their perspective and consider how our actions impact them. We’re delighted to share an article from our Imaginator for Empathy, Dame Darcey Bussell, DBE. Read her thoughtful examination…
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