Secrets of the Maker Gods
Colloquium by Cheryl De Ciantis
Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 10:30-noon EDT
Ideas and imaginations about what we think of as contemporary advanced technology have in fact been around for millennia—from the writings of Homer in the 8th cent BCE, and earlier than that, through oft-repeated tales and epics. These ideas include robotics, artificial intelligence. biotechnology and more.
The Maker gods are different from other gods. They are in relationship with mortals and mortality and help us to shape good things for embodied life on earth. We remember the technologies from long ago but we have forgotten what the ancient myths tell us about being in phronetic dialogue with material forms and conditions—and with each other as makers. They tell us too about the consequences of betraying this all-important connection.
Additional Reading and Media
Article: The Gait of Hephaistos
Short video- check this out: Antikythera Mechanism built from LEGOs!
Scientific article on recent phylogenetic methodology for finding “oldest tale” The Smith and the Devil