"Tipping Points: Humanities and the Liberal Arts at the Thresholds of Climate Change” is an integrated, interdisciplinary collaboration of scholars, artists, scientists, filmmakers, and economists who, through multiple disciplines and perspectives, will study and promote inclusive and challenging dialogue on the ethical, visual, scientific, and human dimensions of climate change and environmental topics. This project will utilize art, science and interactive technology to illuminate the idea and effects of the Tipping Point concept and determine how we can harness this hidden force to positively change our communities, our environment, and ourselves.
Coined in 1957 to describe the metrics for “White Flight” in US cities, the phrase “Tipping Point” was popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2000 best-seller, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.” Gladwell expanded the notion of a "tipping point", defining it as a moment in time when a new idea gains enough exposure and "takes off,” spreading rapidly through a society. Historically we have observed ideological, cultural and artistic tipping points like Impressionism, the sexual revolution, or Disco. We see the phenomenon every day as we are bombarded with viral videos and memes. We have experienced the profound effects of tipping points throughout the 21st century, from the tipping point of global terrorism in 2001 to the economic tipping point of 2008.
Climate change too presents an array of tipping points, where the stakes are growing increasingly more serious. As our species continues to convert sunlight into energy through the burning of fossil fuels, the ruthless mathematics of nature will push us past several points of no return. The disappearance of the Maldives, the simple monetary effects on world economy of frequent and catastrophic natural disasters, and possible mass extinctions are all examples of how our status quo is shifting to less and less; how each “new Normal” is reset to a less diverse, lush existence. Eventually, though, climate change will become impossible to ignore and we will do something. The issue is not a false binary set of win or lose, but rather how far will things go before we are either forced into action or we choose to do something. The other side of the coin is the tipping point of human action. At some point, due to conscious effort or the inevitable march of resource expenditure, the scales will tip from Apathy to Activism.
How can we move and impact the tipping point? How can we create a positive feedback loop? The keys to positive, sustainable action do not exist solely in the somber data of climate change. While the ramifications and possible solutions can be tracked scientifically, unless The Human is factored in, changes in behavior will not keep pace with changes in the climate. We believe that the Humanities and liberal arts provide a mechanism for both the examination and engagement to push us towards the amplifying effects of positive feedback and the power of these loops to engender change. There are psychological factors that enable denial and empower false science. There are deep philosophical issues about what it means to be human and our place in the cosmos that directly impact how we use our resources. Without a definitive engagement with the human experience, our collective reaction to climate change will be more dysfunctional denial and an insensible urge towards distraction. The natural world is supremely easy to deprioritize something we take completely for granted. Yet decisions we make today, the choice to either remain willfully ignorant or to thoughtfully take charge of the environment is the responsibility for our future.
This College of Arts and Sciences generated initiative seeks funding for all phases of Tipping Points:
Phase 1. Under the leadership of the Center for Humanities, Arts, and Sciences (CHATS), Tipping Points will produce and release a 30 minute documentary film accessible on multiple platforms, from Public Television to theatrical/festival release to online via YouTube and a dedicated smart phone app. The central theme of the film will be exploration of the Tipping Point concept and how it directly affects people’s lives in an increasingly global community. This discussion will take place within the context of global climate change, but will encompass experts and artists from a wide spectrum of perspectives and fields.
Modeled on director Astra Taylor’s acclaimed philosophical pastiche “Examined Life”, Tipping Point’s film will consist of a series of interviews with scientists, artists, economists, theologians, architects, writers, psychologists, and politicians. Each conversation will take place in front of an aesthetically compelling backdrop showcasing the confluence of environment and humanity. The film will also include footage captured during Phase Two of Tipping Points and from a “Confession Booth” where people from diverse backgrounds and ages can make a statement.
Phase 2. We will produce, host, and facilitate a high-level international symposium on the environmental humanities and arts with the aim of promoting inclusive and challenging dialogue on the ethical, visual, scientific, and human dimensions of climate change and environmental topics. The symposium, under the leadership of the Institute on Critical Climate Change (IC3) will be held on the University at Albany campus in late September of 2015.
This two-day program will feature panels, workshops, and breakout groups all focused on the most effective methods for moving the tipping points on climate change through engagement with the liberal arts and Humanities. Participants from departments across campus--English, history, art, psychology, biology, communications--will interact with important voices in the field. These potential participants include Timothy Morton, Rice; Claire Colebrook, PSU; Nigel Clark (Geography), Lancaster Dipesh Chakrabarty (Chicago); Elizabeth Kolbert;Rob Nixon, Princeton. Alan Betts http://alanbetts.com/; Kerry Emanuel; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Emanuel;KevinTrenberthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_E._Trenberth. Ray Bradley http://www.geo.umass.edu/faculty/bradley/. The event which we will live-stream, available on the UAlbany System as well as via a dedicated interactive application, will utilize a wide range of organizational models to capture the broadest range of ideas.
Phase 3. We will design and release the Tipping Points smart phone/tablet app. This will be a piece of downloadable software available on iTunes and the IC3 website site. The app will serve as both a companion piece to and a synthesis of the documentary film and symposium. It will include a profile on the film’s interviewees as well as information about the symposium speakers.
