Bugs and Machines: A Closer Look at Everyday Aliens

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Where does our fear of bugs come from? How can the bug help us understand ourselves, our relationships to our bodies and to technology?

The insect has an increasingly important role in the discourse of post-humanism, the field of philosophy that aims to redefine what it means to be human as we continue to evolve as biotic organisms amongst intelligent machines.

On the machine side, the bug provides us with metaphors of our increasingly automated tendencies, such as the “hive-mind” idea applied to contemporary human life, characterizing the spreading of technology and the connected global use of it.

On the biotic side, the bug highlights our weakness of still being bounded to an organic mortal body, that even as we perfect ourselves and find ourselves a safe productive slot within a system, any one of us can still end up infested by a deadly micro-invader or parasite.

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What can be gained from overcoming this instinctive fear and distance, existentially, spiritually, and practically? Come face your fears and find out!

Join us for a workshop all about insects and fear!

The night will include conversation, guest speakers, drawing, and an opportunity to play with live bugs.

Donation of €5-10 requested to cover material and bug costs