For decades, internet visionaries told us that technology would make our lives better. Now, after a rise in mass shootings linked to online hate groups, along with screen addiction, misinformation, privacy violations, and skyrocketing levels of anxiety among the young, a backlash against the internet has emerged.
The world has been quickly and radically altered by the internet, but is the backlash justified? In fall 2019 through spring 2020, Humanities Washington is presenting a statewide series, “The Wired Mind: How the Internet is Changing Humanity.” Is the internet making us happier, safer, and smarter—or miserable? Join scholars and experts to explore the social and psychological effects of our Internet-saturated world.
Think & Drink events are casual hosted discussions at pubs and tasting rooms around the state.
Current schedule:
Spokane
One Click Away: Hate and the Internet
October 8, 7:00 p.m., Magic Lantern Theatre
Presented in partnership with the Gonzaga Institute for Hate Studies, Center for Public Humanities at Gonzaga University, and the Arnold Fund
Seattle
One Click Away: Hate and the Internet
October 9, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Forum Space
Presented in partnership with the iSchool at the UW and Town Hall Seattle
Yakima
One Click Away: Hate and the Internet
October 16, 7:00 p.m., Gilbert Cellars
Presented in partnership with the Gonzaga Institute for Hate Studies
Spokane
A Special Event with Nicholas Carr: What Our Smartphones are Doing to Our Minds
October 24, 7:00 p.m., Gonzaga University John J. Hemmingson Center
Presented in partnership with Center for Public Humanities at Gonzaga University and the Arnold Fund
Tacoma
One Click Away: Hate and the Internet
November 18, 7:00 p.m., Grand Cinema
Presented in partnership with iSchool at the University of Washington, Grand Cinema, and Blue Vespers
Yakima
Traditional Culture, Modern Tech
November 20, 7:00 p.m., Gilbert Cellars
Presented in partnership with The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions and the Yakima Valley Community Foundation
Seattle
Is the Internet Making Us Miserable?
February 12, 7:30 p.m., The Forum at Town Hall Seattle
Presented in partnership with iSchool at the University of Washington
Spokane
Is the Internet Making Us Miserable?
February 24, 7:00 p.m., Magic Lantern Theatre
Seattle
*Postponed* – The One-Way Mirror: Privacy in the Internet Age
April 7, 7:30 p.m., The Forum at Town Hall Seattle
Presented in partnership with iSchool at the University of Washington
Tacoma
*Postponed* – Is the Internet Making Us Miserable?
April 21, 7:00 p.m., McMenamins Elks Temple