Events
Lecture and Book Launch - Crisis of Imagination, Crisis of Power: Capitalism, Creativity, and the Commons
Date and Time
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM
Description
Dr. Haiven will present the major ideas from his book with a special focus on the enclosure of creativity.
In this era, cities, entrepreneurs, and investors often use the idea of creativity to express their commitment to innovation, progress, and dynamism. With such powerful interests advocating for creativity, are we seeing the dawn of a new freely expressive moment that values imagination and culture? In his new book "Crisis of Imagination, Crisis of Power", Max Haiven argues that we are instead experiencing a suppression of the social and civic functions of the imagination, and that this dysfunction is at the core of our most pernicious problems: inequality, ecological destruction, and the feelings of hopelessness and futility toward any viable alternatives.
The ideas in "Crisis of Imagination, Crisis of Power" are relevant to artists, activists, urbanists, educators, and entrepreneurs, especially those interested in the central role that culture and creativity can play in the development of alternate ways of living required to overcome these challenges. Max Haiven provides pathways through these difficulties starting with a constructive critique based on clear, scholarly analysis.
Dr. Haiven will engage these topics in this lecture and a discussion both free events and open to the public.