On May 20th, the Kroc School community gathered to celebrate the launch of Professor Topher McDougal’s latest work, Gaia Wakes, to an audience eager to explore the boundaries of planetary consciousness. The event commenced with attendees receiving copies of the book, setting the stage for an evening of profound insights.
McDougal captivated the audience with a reading from the book, introducing the "Gaiacephalos hypothesis." This concept envisions Earth developing a planetary brain through interconnected systems and artificial intelligence, leading to a unified consciousness. He posed a thought-provoking question: "What if our entire planet were to grow a consciousness?" Read more in Live Science here.
Following the reading, there was a Q&A with Associate Provost and Professor Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, who moderated a discussion that delved deeper into the themes of the book, exploring the interplay between humanity, technology, and the environment. The evening concluded with a book signing and reception, where attendees engaged in meaningful conversations inspired by the ideas presented. Watch the book launch below.
Gaia Wakes is now available for those ready to embark on a journey into the possibilities of Earth's emergent consciousness.
