In 2017, artists and filmmakers Lauren Lee McCarthy, Grace Lee, and Tony Patrick were invited to envision the "future of work" during a residency at the University of Southern California. As part of a three-month exploration of ideas to improve Los Angeles, they forecasted a tumultuous 2020 filled with "massive civil unrest," a "second civil war," and a "massive data dump," coining it "the Breakdown 2020." This residency catalyzed their collaboration and the birth of Beyond the Breakdown (BTB), an interactive browser-based experience launched at Sundance on January 30.
In BTB, participants reserve an appointment for an AI-moderated discussion with six to eight others to dream of a better world. While currently not open to the public, McCarthy mentioned plans are in the works for wider accessibility.
Although showing your face is encouraged, it's not required. After a brief video recap of the challenges of 2020, I entered a Zoom-like room where six other participants were already engaged in conversation. Following introductions, a robotic AI moderator named Serenity welcomed us and outlined the session's features.
A pause button at the screen's bottom activates a 20-second video of tall, green trees accompanied by birdsong, designed to calm tense situations. A Chat feature enables text interaction with Serenity and fellow participants, alongside options to mute microphones and cameras — a helpful feature, given the potential for auditory feedback from multiple sources.
Initially, Serenity posed the puzzling question, "What are you mirroring now?" After some clarification, we interpreted it as a prompt to reflect on our thoughts, leading to a productive discussion. The experience could seem mundane at first, but Serenity proceeded to ask more profound questions, such as our visions for 2050 and the kinds of new jobs we believed were necessary for the future. The variation in questions across different sessions keeps the experience dynamic, allowing for organic conversation flow.
At its core, Beyond the Breakdown emphasizes dialogue. Serenity encouraged every participant to contribute, fostering an environment for learning and shared insights. When asked about what “home” might look like in 2050, I anticipated straightforward answers like “Earth,” but others shared imaginative concepts like communal living arrangements.
Despite some vague queries, such as "What does care look like in this world?" the variation in responses illustrated diverse perspectives. As Lee noted, the sessions provide an opportunity to collaboratively envision a better world rather than simply consume information.
However, the success of a BTB session heavily relies on the participants. My session featured individuals from a similar background—Sundance attendees familiar with technology and fluent in English—excluding other socio-economic groups and non-English speakers. While BTB incorporates accessibility measures like live closed-captioning, further considerations are essential for broader inclusivity.
Conversing with intelligent, like-minded individuals left me feeling hopeful about society's potential for constructive dialogue and empathy. However, I can see how my experience might differ in a group marked by significant disagreements. Although the Pause button offers a way to alleviate tension, a mere 20-second timeout may not suffice for intense disputes.
Patrick expressed a desire for BTB to explore whether a browser could aid in fostering community care. McCarthy added the potential role of AI in guiding these discussions. While my session participants were respectful and cooperative, I wondered how Serenity would handle a truly heated exchange, as I did not witness any conflict.
The idea of a neutral AI moderator facilitating conversations is promising, offering perceived objectivity to participants regardless of their differing ideologies. Nevertheless, Beyond the Breakdown faces a fundamental challenge: its reach. Open-minded discussions should include diverse voices, especially those hesitant to engage in such platforms. Yet for those eager to connect with others around the globe, BTB offers a beacon of hope as we collectively navigate the aftermath of 2020 and look toward the future.
Ranking
