Exploring a Second Renaissance together: two session online course 31 July & 1st August

Join us in a new short online course focused on supporting your own exploration and discovery using dialog and discussion.

When: Wed 31st July and Thu 1st Aug 6-8pm European, 12-2pm US

Where: Online - Zoom

Price: 10€ (with discounted option for those with limited means)

Format: largely discussion and dialog

Suitable for: both newcomers and those already with a deep knowledge of the area

Organisers: Life Itself, Rufus Pollock and Sylvie Barbier

Join us for this first two session course, where we will explore together the second renaissance. Led by Life Itself co-founders and Second Renaissance project curators Rufus Pollock and Sylvie Barbier we will cover the following areas:

• Awareness: Exploring our paths to the second renaissance. How did you come to be interested in this? If and when did you start noticing “cracks” in the foundations? What are the resonances amongst us?

• Renaissance: Exploring what we see can arise? What kind of views and values do you think are needed going forward? What kind of changes in technology and institutions?

• Seeds: What are the seeds of the second renaissance? Where should we plant and cultivate them? What kinds of greenhouses? What kinds of pockets of emergence are there?

The course focuses on supporting your own exploration and discovery using dialog, small group discussion and sharing in the wider group.

This format makes it suitable whether you’re a complete newcomer to the second renaissance or already have deep knowledge of the area.

What's the format?

The course primarily uses dialog and inquiry in small groups with sharing back to the group as a whole. There will be brief introductions to key features of the second renaissance to frame and prompt discussion.

Who is facilitating?

Rufus Pollock is a co-founder of Life Itself and a researcher, technologist and serial social entrepreneur as well as long-term zen practitioner. He has been a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, founded an international digital non-profit Open Knowledge Foundation and a Shuttleworth and Ashoka fellow. See more at https://rufuspollock.com & https://lifeitself.org/people

Sylvie Barbier is a co-founder of Life Itself and international performance artist. French and Taiwanese, she has had performances and exhibitions on three continents. She has taught fashion and branding at Polimoda in Florence. See more at https://sylviebarbier.com & https://lifeitself.org/people

FAQs

What happens if I miss a session?

Whilst this is intended to be a live course, we will record the session so you can catch up if you need to 🙂

What does ‘Second Renaissance’ mean?

Please see the overview on the website and for more detail read our whitepaper.

Do I have to speak?

We won’t make you 😉 … and you will get much more from the course by being actively involved in the dialog.

Why should I attend?

• Discover and deepen: deepen your own understanding in dialog and discussion with others. Discover other perspectives and views from participants. Evolve a common framework for sensemaking.

• Connection & Community: Engage in meaningful discussions with like-minded others, fostering a sense of community and connection through co-sensemaking activities.

• Co-sensemaking and discussions: This course is centered around co-sensemaking, where participants engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences, and reflect on diverse perspectives.

• Insights: Understand the interconnected ecological, political, and social crises we face today by exploring their deeper roots.

• Emerging worldviews: Learn about and reflect on emerging values and worldviews, and discover how to contribute to this cultural transformation.

• Practical strategies: Develop practical ideas and strategies for personal and societal transformation, and learn to integrate interconnectedness, wisdom, and inner growth into daily life.

What are some of the themes of the course?

• Historical context and contemporary relevance: Understand the relevance of the first Renaissance to today's world.

• Diagnosis and solutions to societal decay: Dive deep into the root causes of global crises, and the need for accurate diagnosis to address issues effectively.

• Emerging worldviews and values: Reflect on new cultural paradigms that recognize interconnectedness and emphasize collective well-being.

• Personal growth and social change: Explore the intersection of personal development and societal transformation.

• Community connection and collective thinking: Examine the role of community, and nurturing supportive pockets of like-minded individuals.