Alex Bentley, professor and head of the UT Department of Anthropology will present “The Acceleration of Cultural Change: From Ancestors to Algorithms” at the next UT Science Forum Friday, November 2.
For millennia, sociocultural complexity increased gradually over many human generations as people inherited traditional knowledge within their local communities. In the 21st century, however, knowledge is shared across populations and within generations. Change is so fast that even younger siblings may experience the world differently from the older siblings. What does all this mean for cultural change in the future? Professor Bentley explores this question by starting with the archaeology and anthropology of how people learned their culture from previous generations. This long view provides new insight into how intra-generational change will be different in the 21st century, but also the same.
The UT Science Forum takes place Friday, November 2 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thompson-Boling Arena Cafe (located at 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way), Room A.
Guests are encouraged to bring their lunch or purchase it from the arena. Each presentation is followed by a Q&A. The event is free and open to the public.
We have temporary parking passes available for our guests who do not have UT parking passes. An RSVP is required for the pass. To request a pass, please email Amanda Womac. If you would like to receive a permit by US mail in advance of the meeting, please send an email before 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 1 and include your mailing address.