The Machine and (Human)Nature 2

Join me this Labor Day at the Wagon Box

Dear Doomer Optimists,

This substack has been sitting quietly for a while, and that’s ok. I’ve been busy with various DO-related projects, and I want to share one with you today. I have been organizing a small retreat this Labor Day weekend at The Wagon Box in Story WY.

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Event description:

Join us for the second annual The Machine and (Human) Nature retreat, an intimate gathering at the Wagon Box in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.

At this small retreat, we hope to wrestle with themes including the role of technology, transhumanism, and how to find meaning in the face of the ever-advancing machine. We would like to consider the effect the machine has had on families, the environment, autonomy, and class politics. We would also like to discuss and showcase forms of creative resistance.

The discussions, interviews, and panels for this event will be co-created by attendees. By that we mean if you would like to speak, run a workshop, develop a panel, or more, this is your chance to have the stage and shape the discussion. More details on how to submit a session to come.

In addition to the talks, we hope to have plenty of activities on offer. Last year the retreat included cold plunges in the creek followed by visits to the sauna, trout fishing, long walks, singalongs, and a spontaneous happy hour debate. We will also share some meals together, with toasts and time to chat informally. The lodge kitchen will also be available for cooking.

Families are welcomed and encouraged.

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Last year's event was an absolute blast, and cemented some really interesting friendships that have since turned into various projects and collaborations by attendees. You can see above just three of the many infamous attendees, Andy Hickman, Paul Kingsnorth, and Gord Magill, two of them donning the unofficial event uniform of Irish sweaters.

This event is invite only, meaning we aren't sharing it on any public platforms, only via curated lists like this. It helps to invite people who already have a sense of what we are all on about, and have something meaningful to contribute. We also institute Chatham House Rules, which makes for a really great vibe of open discussion and (sometimes) raucous disagreement. 

I am in a moment where I think events like this are essential. I have a vision of small, curated, intimate retreats where people take a break from life and practice some in person conviviality. We eat together, the boys get up at the crack of dawn and jump in the cold creek running through the property, we listen to talks, we sing, we debate, the children run wild, and we all make merry.

This year should be no different. I know it's a little last minute now, but if you can make the event, consider coming, you won't regret. No one who came last year did, I don't think.

Any questions or comments, you know where to reach me (@rizomaschool or ashley@rizomafieldschool.com)

Hope to see some of you there!

Ashley