Burning Man LIVE Alexander Rose - Thoughts Experiments in Time
Aug 7, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Alexander Rose, former executive director of The Long Now Foundation and current innovator at Automattic, shares his unique vision for the future. He talks about creating a library for Black Rock City, which serves as an ephemeral resource for civilization. Rose delves into the importance of long-term thinking, the fascinating 10,000-Year Clock project, and the cultural significance of literature, blending nostalgia for the past with innovative hopes for the future. His insights on community and tradition at Burning Man are both thought-provoking and inspiring.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Books As A Revolutionary Medium
- Rose frames books as a revolutionary medium that have been misused and treasured like the internet was and is.
- He intends the pavilion to create a moment of being physically surrounded by books for reflection.
Long Now Background And Clock Roots
- Stuart introduces Alexander Rose as the former executive director of The Long Now Foundation and a lead on the 10,000-Year Clock project.
- This background explains Rose's focus on long-term thinking and the Manual for Civilization library idea.
Manual For Civilization Curation
- Alexander Rose curated a small reading room modeled on the Manual for Civilization and Fahrenheit 451 themes.
- It provokes thinking about which books matter if you needed to rebuild society.
