David McConville, co-founder and lead cosmographer of Spherical, explores the interplay between technology and our understanding of Earth. He discusses the concept of 'living infrastructure' through Los Angeles as a case study, emphasizing community collaboration in mapping and sustainable practices. The conversation delves into how worldviews shape environmental challenges, water management, and the importance of imagination in comprehending ecosystems. McConville advocates for engaging communities to create resilient systems that honor local cultures and ecological needs.
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insights INSIGHT
Worldviews as Rivers
Worldviews are like rivers, shaped by cultural context and daily practices.
They influence how we perceive and act within the world, more than just mental filters.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Origins of Inquiry
David McConville's questioning of his fundamentalist Christian upbringing sparked his interest in worldviews.
He became fascinated by how experiences, rituals, and cultural practices shape our understanding of reality.
insights INSIGHT
Recursive Mapping
Mapping the world influences our thinking, but our thinking also determines how we map.
This recursive relationship highlights the interconnectedness of perception and representation.
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Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" is a monumental work in philosophy that revolutionized epistemology and metaphysics. It explores the limits of human reason and the conditions under which knowledge is possible. Kant argues that our experience is shaped by inherent structures of the mind, known as categories of understanding. The book delves into the nature of space, time, and causality, and how these concepts structure our perception of the world. Its influence on subsequent philosophical thought is immeasurable, shaping debates on knowledge, morality, and the nature of reality.
David McConville is a transdisciplinary artist and researcher who explores how technology shapes our perspectives of Earth—from local places to our cosmic context. Our conversation examines how worldviews influence infrastructure, using Los Angeles as a case study. We explore the paradigm of "living infrastructure," discussing how David's studio Spherical collaborates with communities and organizations to develop mapping and co-design tools. Even if you’re not in LA, this episode offers valuable insights into how communities can work together to create resilient infrastructure systems that honor their unique cultural needs and local environments.
David McConville is co-founder and lead cosmographer of Spherical, a strategic design and integrative research studio based in xučyun / Oakland, CA. His PhD in Art and Media from Plymouth University examined how cosmological perspectives shape cultural imaginaries and ecological practices.
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