Dear friends of The Lenox Institute, |
Welcome to the first edition of The Lenox Dispatch, the newsletter of The Lenox Institute for Advanced Study! The Dispatch will feature updates, calls for collaboration, and the occasional bit of lore (we have lots to say about how we got here!). |
This message covers our mission (including a word about our social commitments), information about our first event, and how you can participate. |
If you know anybody who might be interested in receiving The Dispatch, please direct them to info@lenoxinstitute.org. Thanks! |
Technological systems run our world, shaping everyday life in ways that are hard to understand without trustworthy information sources. Unfortunately, these sources are increasingly difficult to find. In an age where funding for independent media is scarce, tech journalism is often biased. Academic research and teaching are more reliable, but college courses are beyond most people’s reach. In this context, knowledge gaps and intellectual silos are expanding, leaving all of us at a disadvantage. |
The links between tech, science, and society are indeed complex, but they’re not beyond anyone’s grasp. Lenox offers rigorous and accessible programs that reveal the connections between “hard” topics in science and tech and their social implications. And we nurture personal and professional relationships while doing so. We believe that learning is social: with an explicit focus on friendship, mentorship, and collaboration, we offset the isolating and distorting effects of the online infosphere while boosting the power of knowledge to inspire real-world action. |
On the topic of real-world action... |
Science and technology are intrinsically cultural, political, and philosophical. This view has shaped all of our paths: we've held teaching and research appointments in science and technology studies, philosophy, political theory, history, and biology, among other disciplines. With a far-ranging background and commitment to social change, we recognize that the work of connecting technoscience to big-picture issues doesn’t belong to a single intellectual tradition or political worldview. |
With that said, Lenox’s programming takes a pluralistic approach. Some faculty will be tech skeptics, but not all of them. Some will adopt frameworks from political economy; others will take philosophical, cultural, and creative approaches. Courses with a “hard” or quantitative orientation will foreground applied knowledge over theory. We only ask that anyone representing Lenox — as a faculty member or in any other role — emphasize transparency and reflexivity about their beliefs and motivations. For us, authenticity and open-mindedness go hand-in-hand. |
Our inaugural event (!) is this Wednesday, June 10th, from 7-9pm at Index Chinatown. It’s called “Do Words Still Meaning Things?: Language and Communication in the Age of AI,” and it’s an interactive seminar exploring AI’s impact on language and meaning. Index is a relaxed and spacious venue, and we have the whole place to ourselves. There will be a cash bar and plenty of opportunities to connect with other participants. For more information and to sign up, click here. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. |
Future programs will be online and in person. If you have to miss this one, stay tuned for the next! |
If you’re interested in teaching for us, please send us your CV. No need for cover letters or course pitches: if we're interested, we’ll solicit additional materials from you directly. We’re also actively scouting social media professionals to help us build our communications strategy. If you know someone who might be a good fit, we’d love to hear from them. Send all inquiries to info@lenoxinstitute.org. |
Last but not least, visibility is our greatest asset. Sharing our content is a big help, as is following our brand-new Instagram account, @lenox__institute. |
That’s it for now! Looking forward to all the good things to come — |
— Shannon, Ryan, and Emma |
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