SA 13. SEP 7 pm
Marek Tuszynski, Tactical Tech
Information Sickness: How digital tools hijack our minds and what we can do about it.
Why do today's digital technologies - so full of promise - so often fail to deliver a more democratic, ethical and empowered society?
Marek Tuszynski’s provocative talk reframes the problem by diagnosing a condition we're all living with: information sickness. We'll dive into a rarely told story of humanity's obsession with information and computing, drawing on surprising examples from the last century. From there, the talk unpacks three overlooked design dynamics that exploit and amplify our vulnerabilities:
Ultra-processed information – like ultra-processed food – designed for speed and addiction, with toxic side effects.
Hope-driven fears, a psychological whiplash that fuels digital dizziness and disorientation.
The intimate mechanisms – especially in AI – that make resistance so difficult, embedding themselves deep in our emotional and cognitive lives.
The talk will feature powerful work by artists and creators who don't just critique harmful technology – they inspire imagination and action to unlearn it and build what comes next.
Tactical Tech is a creative international non-profit with over two decades of experience dedicated to exploring the socio-political and environmental impacts of technology on society. They work to empower individuals and communities to navigate and mitigate the ways digital technologies change their lives and transform societies.
Advancing knowledge, critical thinking and capacity building are central to their work. Through our Tactical Tech Studio, focused on Digital Literacy and our Tactical Tech Institute, we conduct research on the intersection of technology and society and develop creative, engaging and evidence-based interventions, resources, and tools —such as exhibitions, kits, guides and training programs — that confront conventional narratives and provoke critical thinking about technology impacts. Their interventions and resources spark conversations and drive transformative action.
We aim to redefine digital society by building the skills, understanding, and capacity of individuals and communities, enabling them to navigate and respond to the challenges and opportunities created by digital technologies.
Marek Tuszynski, co-Executive Director and co-founder of Tactical Tech, is an artist, designer and curator working at the intersection of technology and activism. Marek is also a filmmaker, producer, teacher and provocateur whose creative interventions span media from film and radio to television, books, exhibitions, public spaces and the web. For 30 years, he has worked at the intersection of technology and politics, information and activism, and the consequences of living in a quantified society. In 2023, Marek was recognised by Mozilla Rise25 Awards as one of the artists and visionary leaders actively shaping a more ethical, responsible, and inclusive future for the internet.
