Want to explore a strange new philosophical-political movement that dares to ask forbidden questions, and, crazier yet, offers paradigm-shifting answers? Wait no longer. Welcome to “metamodernism.” Unsu and Adithya will share how this new philosophy has created practical change in their lives as activists and thinkers, explaining the world in a compelling way, while pointing a truly creative path forward. This will be an interactive session in which we co-create a metamodern perspective. You are encouraged to bring your own forbidden questions to ponder as a group. There is a danger to this journey. Once you’ve read or heard about metamodernism, it may be difficult to stop thinking about the world through the metamodern lens. But don’t worry, we have planned a sequel if necessary - “How to Stop Talking About Metamodernism.”

Unsu and Adithya offer no guarantees that they will address any of the following forbidden questions that fascinate metamodernists:

• Is it okay to admit humans are created unequal?
• Is there any alternative to accepting society’s game (often conservatives) or denying the game (often liberals)? But isn’t assuming we can change the game incredibly naive?
• Are hackers, hipsters, and hippies really more powerful than politicians?
• Is there a way to outcompete capitalism?
• How might society consciously use subtle forms of control to actually promote freedom?

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Unsu Lee likes to describe himself as a mental journeyman, a generalist who enjoys reading and thinking as broadly as possible. In his 20s, he directed a documentary on Burning Man, the temporary city in the middle of Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Since then, he has gone back 8 times. Many of his ideas on community and self-organisation are inspired by the week-long festival. Some of his current interests are Sociocracy, interest-free money, embodiment, the climate crisis, regenerative agriculture, emergence, and metamodernism.

Adithya Raghunathan is passionate about asking big questions and listening deeply for answers. A longtime meditator, dancer, and traveler, he has been seduced by philosophy, politics, and activism. His tech career seems to be giving way into a (metamodern) monastic life, where he will inquire about transforming human systems, living in harmony with each other and the land, and how our despair may yield to embodied action.