PLEASE NOTE: More tickets will be released closer to this event, pending COVID-safe guidelines from the Victorian government.
As the gap between the capabilities of a human brain and a computer shrink, we have to wonder: why not join forces? For those forgetful enough to leave home without pants, perhaps uploading our thoughts, memories and pant-related obligations to the cloud would save us time, money, and an arrest warrant for indecent exposure. Maybe it’s not that big of a leap to hand our minds over to our digital caretakers. After all, computers remember things better than us. They’re not overwhelmed by emotions, subject to bias, or distracted by Twitter. Computers also outlive us, meaning our friends and loved ones can access the “digital us” long after the “biological us” has left this realm. Within this electronic cave, our minds can live forever. (So long as we’ve been charged!)
Alternatively, are we beginning to overlook the essence of what makes us human? Can a computer ever truly replicate the complex, flawed, random and magical inner world of the human mind? What happens when our whole personality is accessible via the web? It goes without saying that we’ve got enough on our hands right now worrying about coronaviruses, let alone computer viruses.
Join scientists and comedians as part of Science Gallery Melbourne’s exhibition MENTAL: Head Inside.
Our debators include;
- Dr Linden Ashcroft: Lecturer in Science Communication and Climatology, University of Melbourne.
- Dr Wade Kelly: Boss of Nerd Nite and academic researcher on research engagement and impact education.
- Jess Moir: Comedian and Barrister; last solo show ‘Jesstation’ a hit at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
- Angus Gordon: Comedian; Winner of the Best Newcomer at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2017.
- Frances McNair: Wonderful comedian and host of the Worst Gigs Podcast.
- Matthew Coffey: Mediator at Science Gallery Melbourne, science student, and all-around nerd whose cloud brain file size would be that of a high quality GIF.