Ghosts in the Corporate Machine: The Philosophy & Art of Cyberpunk

About this event

Is the dystopian future a sci-fi fantasy—or the reality currently sitting in your pocket? Join us for an immersive, art-house exploration of Cyberpunk, the genre that defined our technological anxieties. We will look past the neon lights and leather trenches to dissect a world defined by a volatile formula: advanced computing networks paired with street rebellion. We are diving deep into a reality that is fundamentally "high tech, low life." Whether you are a film buff, a design enthusiast, or a student of philosophy, this presentation will challenge you to look at our modern devices through a completely different lens. What We Will Unpack: Part 1: Neon & Nihilism (The Philosophy) We will dismantle the Ship of Theseus paradox through transhumanism, confront corporate dominance under the lens of Capitalist Realism, and explore Jean Baudrillard’s concept of Hyperreality. Part 2: Noir in Neon (The Visual Art Form) An aesthetic deep dive into Tech-Noir cinematography, dramatic chiaroscuro shadows, toxic color palettes, and the gritty, street-level art of *"Kaizo" *(technological retrofitting). Part 3: The Future of Cyberpunk (The Evolution) We trace the genre's breakout from absolute nihilism into the pragmatic agency of Post-Cyberpunk, the eco-optimism of Solarpunk, and an Avant-Garde Wild Card analysis of Tamala 2010. The Finale: Message in the Mirror We close by tracing the historical shift from 1980s corporate dread to modern community-driven hope. Cyberpunk was never a crystal ball—it was a smoke alarm. Come find out if we still possess the agency to rewrite the script. Preview Materials: Here are the cllips and articles for Ghosts in the Corp Machine: art and philosophy of Cyberpunk Articles https://newintrigue.com/2025/01/15/the-philosophy-of-cyberpunk-high-tech-rebels-and-neon-dreams/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374711635_Cyberpunk_as_a_Metacultural_Movement_Philosophical-Cultural_Analysis Altered Carbon https://youtu.be/Y8Xbb2odHaQ?si=PFJIVGmmUDEEPKRI https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261227/?ref_=tt_ov_vi_rx Blade Runner https://youtu.be/x92m0IYIj2Y?si=cvf9xjnPVhYRwHz5 https://youtu.be/LgcAbJ_cuQI?si=QxBG8wEMk7tiNBWt https://youtu.be/NoAzpa1x7jU?si=4gXayfhcnnaoGxwY \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Tonight's event will be presented by valued member Arielle M. This is the first presentation in a series Arielle will be presenting over the next few months. Thank you again to all of our wonderful community members who continue to make these events interesting, unique, and valuable to our community each and every night. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* In addition to the main topic (above), we also provide breakout rooms at 8pm as follows: “Philosophy” – philosophy and its applications “Town Square” – politics and current events “Conference Room” – open for anything “The Lounge” – light social chat