To author preferred futures — more equitable, sustainable, mindful and enjoyable times — we first have to decode this moment. What’s happening, what’s driving it, where are we headed, and how do we strategize responsibly — as brands, individuals and collectively?

With this spirit, we have the opportunity to bring FIVE critical, cultural analyses to SXSW 2023.

SXSW’s PanelPicker crowd voting is now open until Aug 21 — just one component in the judging process, although a critical one.

Can you please support us with votes below?

Two steps:

01. Sign Up — It’s flippin’ free

(Head back to this page)

02. Vote — Just click each linked talk (below)

My speed run was literally 1:10s for all five. Can you beat it?

Thank you so, so much,

— All of us below

💀 When We Die Online: Preserving Heritage & Culture

Feat. Jad Esber [koodos] + George Oates [The Flickr Foundation] + Myself

• How should we approach the fragility of our internet?

• What are the pros / cons of immortality vs. ephemerality?

• What can we each do to secure our material online?

Vote

🔮 AI & Cultural Trends: How Data Forecasts Futures

Feat. Miroslav Dimitrov [NWO.ai] + Sarah DaVanzo [Pierre Fabre] + Myself

• What cultural trends does AI find to be most impactful?

• What are the best roles for humans vs. AI in research?

• How can we think about social shifts without bias?

Vote

🔎 Social Trends: Separating the Signal From the Noise

Feat. Allison Day [Reddit] + Myself

• How do subreddits reflect larger movements?

• How can you mine communities for worthy signals?

• How can you translate findings into meaningful insights?

Vote

⛪ What Can Brands Learn From Religion?

Feat. Elizabeth Dresher [Santa Clara University] + Sister Quinn + Julia Dixon [Weber Shandwick] + Myself

• Is it a myth that young people don’t care about religion?

• How is Gen Z craving meaning, and how can you assist?

• What are the best case studies of modern religion?

Vote

🤖 Humans vs. Machine: Language Informs Our Future

Feat. Jessica Kukreti [VMLY&R] + Myself

• How do robotic metaphors illuminate our unconscious?

• How do we reckon with a loss of being human?

• How do we regain humanity amidst machines?

Vote