Gather with us on the Island of Wisdom
The Island of Knowledge: A Hub for Cross-Disciplinary Discussions on Planetary Intelligence
The Island of Knowledge, a unique intellectual retreat center and think tank, is nestled in a 16th-century church on a Tuscan hillside. Founded by theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser and psychotherapist Kari Gleiser, this platform for conversations and discussions is designed to explore various topics, with a particular focus on planetary intelligence and life on Earth.
The conversations at the Island of Knowledge are intended to be shared and disseminated, providing insights into the nature of life, intelligence, and their role in broader planetary and cosmic contexts. The discussions aim to question whether bacteria show signs of intelligence and what it means for the planet itself.
The Island of Knowledge emphasises the importance of the stories we tell and their potential impact. By examining the creative life force that manifests as increasing biological order and information, the Island of Knowledge provides a conceptual foundation for planetary intelligence. Life, which at first seems to contradict the second law of thermodynamics (entropy), involves a dual arrow of time: one of increasing disorder and another of increasing order tied to the accumulation of functional information. This second arrow represents creativity and the growth of life’s complexity through information that organises and sustains living systems.
Regarding intelligence and the climate crisis, the Island of Knowledge narrative's emphasis on planetary intelligence likely connects to understanding Earth's biosphere as a complex, informational system that both shapes and is shaped by environmental conditions. Intelligence here involves more than raw information; it includes judgment and the coordination of information to sustain life systems adaptively, a necessary approach for tackling planetary-scale threats like climate change.
Participants in the discussions include astrobiologists, plant scientists, indigenous activists, neuroscientists, theoretical physicists, and philosophers. The Island of Knowledge also welcomes scientists, philosophers, artists, and writers for future conversations.
The discussions at the Island of Knowledge are concluded each day with a renewed sense of reverence for life on Earth. With re-airs of previous conversations, including a conversation with Marcelo Gleiser from the show Deep Time: The Cosmos and Us, and more gatherings planned for the future, the Island of Knowledge continues to be a setting for intellectual discussions and retreats that explore the complexities of life and intelligence on our planet.
Anne is excited to share the new developments at the Island of Knowledge, inviting everyone to join the conversation and contribute to the creation of a new, planet-centered theory of life.
[1] Gleiser, M. (2021). The Island of Knowledge: The Limits of Science and the Search for Meaning. Basic Books. [2] Szostak, J. W. (2013). Functional information: a concept for understanding the origin of life. Annual Review of Biophysics, 42, 233-254. [3] Gleiser, M. (2018). The Dancing Universe: From Creation Myth to Quantum Reality. Basic Books.
- At The Island of Knowledge, discussions on planetary intelligence extend beyond theoretical physics and psychology, inviting professionals from diverse fields such as astrobiology, plant science, indigenous activism, neuroscience, and philosophy.
- The Island of Knowledge's focus on environmental storytelling underscores the importance of sustainable living and home-and-garden practices, with an emphasis on the role of information in the growth and organization of living systems.
- In the realm of education and self-development, The Island of Knowledge offers personal growth opportunities by delving into the intricate relationship between life, intelligence, and cosmic context.
- The Island of Knowledge's explorations on climate change and planetary intelligence might suggest a need for artificial intelligence and technology to help model and predict the complex interactions between Earth's biosphere and environmental conditions.
- As a hub for cross-disciplinary discussions, The Island of Knowledge encourages environmental-science advocates, artists, writers, and other thought leaders to share their insights on the creative life force that underpins planetary intelligence and life's astonishing complexity.
