However, at Przemiany we make sure to keep our feet on the ground. Which is why we will meticulously judge the probability of such projects, as:
- geo-engineering – all ideas for “forced” climate modifications, subduing the climate changes with science and technic;
- ITER and other revolutionary ideas for acquiring energy;
- an escape from Earth – the media give plenty of attention not only to the plans of the first manned flight to Mars, but also about the plans of its colonisation, and the so-called terraformation, which means creating Earth-like conditions on Mars with the technological power of humanity.
The debate will be held within a framework of energy humanities, specifically the so called energy ignorance when in comes to scenarios of the predicted technological power of humanity. In short – we will summarise the costs of different visions of the future. This way, we wish to prove that ambitious, affirmative options, which are less about our technological impudence, and maybe more demanding when it comes to changing our habits and rethinking the dominating economical systems, are definitely not more ambitious than ideas which remain in the realms of science fiction. This obviously doesn't change the fact, that technical innovations are much needed, and we should strive for them as well.
Participants:
- Dr. Paweł Frelik (Professor, University of Warsaw)
- Marcin Popkiewicz (analyst, journalist, Science on Climate)
- Maciej Jagaciak (Polish Future Studies Society, Foresight Engineer at 4CF Strategic Foresight)
Host:
- Aleksandra Budka (journalist, Radio 357)
Dr. Paweł Frelik
School professor at the American Studies Centre, University of Warsaw, where he runs the Workshop for Speculative Texts and Media. In his scientific research, he focuses on science fiction and contemporary audio-visual culture, mainly video games and films. Author of over 100 international publications on the subject. Member of editorial boards of „Science Fiction Studies” (USA), „Extrapolation” (USA/UK), and „Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds” (UK), co-editor of “New Dimensions in Science Fiction” book series, published by University of Wales Press. In 2017, he was the first non-English native speaker laureate of the American Thomas D. Clareson Award for his activism promoting research on science fiction.
Marcin Popkiewicz
As a megatrend analyst, expert and journalist, he is focusing on the connections within the economy-energy-assets-environment areas. Author of such bestsellers as “The world at a crossroad”, “Energy revolution. What for?” and “Science on Climate”. Editor-in-chief of naukaoklimacie.pl and ziemianarozdrozu.pl. Laureate of “Journalists for Climate 2015” main prize, “Renewable Energy Promoter 2016”, and “Economicus 2016” for the best economy knowledge propagating book. Together with the “Science on Climate” editorial team, he is also a laureate of the “Science Communicator 2017” prize, awarded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Polish Press Agency. He's an expert for the National Centre for Research and Development in the field of energy transit technology.
Maciej Jagaciak
Member of the Polish Future Studies Society, and Foresight Engineer in 4CF Strategic Foresight. In his life's work, he has a range of foresight analyses, regarding among others, the future of payments, 3D print, Artificial Intelligence, and the metal, energy, food, packaging, and photonic industries. Runs workshops and research projects for the finance sector and military operations. As an analytical systems designer and coder, he supports foresight projects with advanced tools, focusing on the needs of business and public administration clients. He is a member of the Polish branch of The Millennium Project, a foresight think-tank located in Washington. Graduate of Automatics and Robotics at the Warsaw University of Technology.
