Deep Space LIVE: X-Events – The Sudden Collapse of Everything
Thursday, December 20, 2012 / 8-9 PM / Ars Electronica Center Linz
(Linz, December 14, 2012) On December 20th and thus the very eve of the end of the world predicted by many of the esoterically inclined, Deep Space LIVE will treat the question of what would happen when some human blunder actually did cause it all to fall apart. At 8 PM, John Casti (US), scientist, author and director of the X-Center research institute, will discuss so-called X-events, extreme situations that could cause our fragile political, social and economic systems to crash. NOTE: The address will be delivered in English.
John Casti (US)
John Casti has a Ph.D. in mathematics. He’s been a member of the research staff of, among other facilities, the RAND Corporation think tank, and of the faculty of the University of Arizona, Princeton and the Vienna University of Technology. His specialties are complex systems theory and complexity research. Casti now heads the X-Center research institute dedicated to investigating and understanding extreme events in our society. Now a resident of Vienna, John Casti is the author of numerous books including the bestseller “The Cambridge Quintet.” His latest work came out in June 2012: “X-Events: The Collapse of Everything.”
The X-Center
Extreme events caused by human beings—for instance, financial crises, core meltdowns at nuclear power plants and protracted power failures—occur more and more often. But humankind has no theoretical or practical tools at its disposal to predict such X-events. The mission of the X-Center based in Vienna, Helsinki and Tokyo is to develop concepts, instruments and functional methods to understand these X-events and to convey these insights to decision-makers in the public and private sectors.
Deep Space LIVE
The Ars Electronica Center is now hosting a Deep Space LIVE event every Thursday (except holidays) at 8 PM. Each presentation will feature ultra-high-definition imagery in 16×9-meter format and will be accompanied by expert commentary, entertaining stand-up repartee, and musical improvisation. Whether great works from the history of art, space travel, journeys of discovery in the Nanoworld, or a live concert is what you’ve come to behold, Deep Space LIVE stands for enlightening entertainment amidst breathtaking worlds of imagery. Holders of a valid Museum ticket are admitted free of charge.
press release “Deep Space LIVE: X-Events – The Collapse of Everything / PDF
Photo:
John Casti / Jorge Simao / Printversion / Album
Photo:
X-Events / Richard Horne / Printversion / Album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoBrMa3n2xs
Radio Interview with John Casti (starting around minute 2:00)
