Big History and Collective Learning

Co-organized by The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, and

Division of Environment, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Supported by CityU Apps Lab, City University of Hong Kong

Introduction

Big History, a new perspective originally introduced by Prof. David Christian, tries to provide an evidence-based scientific narrative of the evolutionary changes from the Big Bang to the present status of human society.

[ See for example:

https://www.ted.com/talks/david_christian_big_history

and https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive ]

It suggests that there may be a unifying scheme behind answers to some fundamental questions like Where do we come from? How does life evolve on earth? Are we, homo sapiens, just one of the many species that have existed on earth, or are we special? What is the most significant difference between us and other species? Dinosaurs dominated the world for over 135 million years – why didn’t they evolve to have cell phones or all the technologies we have developed in merely few hundred thousand years of our presence? Are capitalism and globalization unavoidable consequences of human evolution? Is there an underlying theme in the evolution from the Big Bang to the development of modern human / nation-based world?

Let’s imagine there is such a theme, can we use it to predict our future? Are we going to develop into an AI-robot-human mixed society as predicted in many science-fiction movies; or are we doomed to self-destruct? How sustainable is the present course of human development?

Let’s imagine there is such a theme, where does it come from? Is there a scientific principle behind it? How universal is the scheme itself? Can the scheme be changed? Or, Are the laws of nature changeable?

[See for example http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3410/03-ever-nf.html ]

These are the questions we want to address in this lecture series, using examples and up-to-date scientific knowledge. We will not be able to provide a definite answer to most questions raised in the lectures. However the questions arising in this series will be worth exploring – we wish some of them may change your future.

Opening Talks

These two opening talks delivered by Prof. Alexis Lau and Prof. T.K. Ng introduce the idea of 'Big History' and how the laws governing the evolution of the universe to human society may be evolved. 

Public Lectures

These eight public lectures delivered by faculties from different universities address several important stages in the course of human development.

The speakers from various faculties and universities include (in alphabetic order):

• Prof. CHOW King Lau, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
• Dr. CHOW Lap Kei David, Business School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
• Dr. KU Kei Tat Fred, Business School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
• Prof. LAU Kai Hon Alexis, Division of Environment, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
• Prof. LEE Wai Yee Lily, The School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn, USA)
• Prof. LUI Tai Lok, The Academy of Hong Kong Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
• Prof. NG Tai Kai, The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE)
• Prof. WONG Kwok Yee Michael, Division of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Student Forum on Futurology

What do you think about the future of the world? Can we predict our future?

Are we going to live in an AI-robot-human mixed society as predicted in many science-fiction movies? Are we doomed to self-destruct? How sustainable is the present course of human development?

This Student Forum organized by the Student Organizing Team allows students to explore these questions further and share their ideas on any issues determining the future of the world. Advisors will be invited to coach students in polishing their ideas before the forum. Guest speakers will be invited to share their insights with student presenters and audience at the forum.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Consciousness, and Cognitive Robotics
• Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
• Globalization, Culture and Development

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact us at 3940 0102 or 3940 0108 or via email apd@hkage.org.hk.