Jascha Rohr joins Elevate on Thursday 5th of March. He will take part in a discussion panel "Quo Vadis Humanity?".
Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.
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Elevate's festival theme 2020 is "Human Nature". What's your second thought about it?
My second thought is that "Human" and „Nature“ are often thought to be a polarity, a dualism. It is nice to see both terms combined describing hopefully something beautiful and good.
And your first?
If „Nature" means something like „Essence“, I wonder if there is one. Actually I think there is none. I would prefer a morphing plural: human natures as the multiplicity of states we come from and we go to.
Quo Vadis Humanity? In 2009 Elevate's main theme was the climate crisis. 10 years have passed. Whats your take on the next 10?
The climate crisis will still occupy us, maybe - hopefully - more than ever. But we need a new spin to it: we need to find the means to create collective global solutions, which value freedom, peace and ecological abundance rather than jetting to the next climate conference and putting a price on CO2 emissions. I hope that rather than looking down the abyss of climate change, as in the last 10 years, we will roll up our sleeves and dive deep into our sources of innovation, creativity and, yes: the best of human natures.
The relationship of humans and technology - more reasons to be pessimistic or optimistic? Can you name some?
It always depends on what we do with technology. For me this is ore of a question of the culture we develop in order to use and deal with technology. I am optimistic that technology can help us to solve some of the most fundamental problems we face as humanity. But this will only happen in an appropriate, cocreative and empathic culture. Without this culture technology would destroy us.
And our relationship with nature? Of course we are "part of it", but....where are we going?
We are Nature, Nature is us. There are no objects. Everything is kin, everything is a participteur in the process of life. Lets radically shift our notion to that, and we will be going in a world of creative abundance rather than depleting consumption.
"Psycho-spiritual crisis", "a psychotic society",... How bad is the status quo of humanity?
We have never been more powerful and connected than we are now. As a collective social body the "great acceleration" has brought us to a point of deep confusion, crisis and disorientation. But this is a necessary state for deep transformation. I am confident that we will rise out of this powerful catharsis to become more aware and to focus on the "great cocreation“ instead.
A message to the Elevate Festival community? What can we do?
Embrace the confusion and the crisis and prepare for action as soon as orientation kicks back in. Dismiss what drags us down: shame, blame, aggression. Embrace what gives us hope and power: creativity, empathy, love and the full spectrum of your being
Elevate features many amazing artists in the music & arts programme. Can we meet you on the Dancefloor too?
You bet!
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Jascha Rohr joins Elevate on Thursday 5th of March. He will take part in a discussion panel "Quo Vadis Humanity?".
Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.
