Barely two decades ago, we could not have imagined the profound way in which the smartphone would permanently change our world, societies and personal lives. At most, we suspected that mobile telephony would help us communicate better and faster: a practical tool for consulting with our boss, customers or family at home. Now, smartphones determine our lives, including how we find love, consume news, organise our work rhythm and make our daily purchases. That gives food for thought: who can imagine how ChatGPT, nanorobotics and other, as yet unknown (information) technologies will ultimately change our lives and how we live together? Where to start?
Public debate about technology tends to focus too quickly on specific dilemmas, opportunities and dangers. It is usually only later, much later, that we realise that all these new tools and gadgets have also had other significant effects. In an attempt to break this deadlock, Socires combines film and philosophy in this project. Filmmakers appear to be very capable of vividly depicting technological futures and speculating about the possibilities and impossibilities of digitisation, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, etc. Moreover, they seem to strike a chord with the public: the popularity of science fiction films, for example, is unprecedented. We asked twelve philosophers to reflect on the future of technology on the basis of film.
What we do
Socires, in collaboration with De Nieuwe Wereld, is publishing a collection of philosophical essays on film. The book will be sold through all the usual channels.
We hope that this booklet will provide an opportunity for groups of friends, associations, school classes, film clubs, company departments and groups of civil servants to watch a film and discuss it with each other. A public discussion about the future of technology is what we are aiming for.
In collaboration with KINO Rotterdam cinema, we will also be organising a series of film screenings in 2025, with introductions and discussions. In addition, we are organising a series of three film screenings in collaboration with the Kloosterkerk, starting in October 2025. The announcements and programmes can be found below.
We are investigating the possibility of expanding this programme in collaboration with other film theatres.
Who we work with
This collection was made possible thanks to the support of the Countess of Bylandt Foundation and the Dr.Hendrik Muller Fund. The collection is published by the publisher De Nieuwe Wereld.
Want to know more?
Questions? Interested in the book? Would you like to schedule a presentation or film screening? Please contact Edwin Bergwerff, Ward Huetink or Kees Buitendijk
