Towards New Ways of Knowing Ecology
Registration is by permission only.
This week in Meaning Lab, we ask: What is an ecology?
Ecology represents a complex web of relationships and perspectives that spans multiple disciplines and ways of understanding our world:
Early humans discovered regularities in nature’s chaos—the migration of animals, the rhythm of seasons, and the shape of landscapes—that revealed the profound interconnectedness of life. Today, ecology is not simply the study of organisms and their environments; it is a lens through which we explore energy flows, evolutionary dynamics, and the systemic feedback loops that sustain the planet.
Modern technologies—satellite imaging, AI modeling, and sensor networks—enable us to perceive ecological patterns at unprecedented scales, driving new insights into biodiversity, climate, and resilience. Literature, culture, and indigenous wisdom enrich these understandings, layering the poetry of natural systems, the ethics of stewardship, and the philosophies of “deep ecology,” which call for a radical shift in human consciousness away from anthropocentrism and toward relational awareness.
Systems thinking animates this approach, revealing that environmental challenges demand integrated solutions and holistic perspectives. Social ecology recognizes the interplay between human societies and natural systems, surfacing questions of justice, sustainability, and the impact of economic structures on environmental health.
This conversation invites scientists, philosophers, technologists, and creative leaders to investigate the evolving meaning of ecology. Drawing from Gregory Bateson’s legacy and interdisciplinary research, we seek to illuminate how our models of ecological thinking transform the imaginary whole—unfolding new possibilities for shared meaning, action, and care in a world defined by interdependence.
What Is Meaning Lab?
This is a play-space and interdisciplinary think-tank involving a small group of technologists, researchers and startup founders from the Consorvia ecosystem who explore various aspects of an announced concept, thinking and creating together on a range of relevant problems and provocations.
Our conversation is framed as a Bohm Dialogue, fostering a free flow of meaning among participants. In this open and exploratory space, participants are encouraged to suspend judgment of themselves and others, attending closely to their feelings and thoughts. Unlike debates aimed at winning arguments, this method prioritizes collective awareness and the unfolding of shared meaning over arriving at a fixed conclusion.
Format & Logistics 90-minute Meaning Lab for up to 15 participants Facilitated in true open-source style Season 1 of Meaning Lab Beta - early participation is a chance to shape an evolving cultural technology for the AI era