Mission Statement for "CONTACT, Cultures of the Imagination"
Jim Funaro © 1999
When we put on the first CONTACT in 1983, my goal was to create a unique,
interdisciplinary gathering about the future which I hoped would earn a
respected place in that future. As I now look ahead toward the new millennium,
I see the following principles of operation as a guide to our vision and
a statement of CONTACT's mission.
An Interdisciplinary Approach. This, more than anything else,
makes our conference unique. My purpose in setting up CONTACT in the first
place was to create a professional conference == typical of any particular
discipline -- which atypically included many different professional disciplines.
This not only forces together many new and diverse perspectives (a basic
anthropological concern) but also increases the enjoyment factor. This is
what "contact" means to me. I like to see sparks fly. Sparks give
light as well as heat.
Professionalism. CONTACT needs to remain committed to fostering
and maintaining its professional scientific credibility by encouraging the
participation -- and publication -- of scholars who are acknowledged as
responsible representatives by their peer colleagues. In only this way can
we present reliable material to each other and to the public and be taken
seriously in our endeavors within the educational, scientific and policy-making
communities we want to influence. Otherwise, Contact becomes just another
"con."
Science as a Guide to the Imagination. Notwithstanding this,
we should also continue to maintain "a spirit of responsible adventurousness."
Subjects and approaches which stir the imagination as well as the intellect
should not be discouraged, as long as they can bear the scrutiny of scientific
investigation. As we gain confidence and credibility, we can eventually
face the challenge of presenting a balanced interdisciplinary, scientifically-based
inquiry on any subject. In all undertakings, our reasonable discretion should
be directed toward reaching a position of valor.
A Forum for New Ideas. Too often the atmosphere within our own
disciplines is so competitive that we are discouraged from doing the kind
of creative speculation that rejuvenates our perspectives. It has been my
intention that CONTACT would provide an alternative forum for piloting or
"sunshining" new ideas for peer review. CONTACT should continue
to provide an open and synergistic context, nurturing a spirit conducive
to exploring (not denying) possibilities. In this way, we can ensure that
we entice valuable new participants, that our work remains on the leading
edge and that our conference never ceases to be an exciting, innovative
event.
Education for the Future. We are chartered as both a scientific
and educational corporation, with a commitment to student benefit as well
as collegial satisfaction. Our By-laws clearly state our purpose "to
educate the general public." Most of us are educators or deeply concerned
with education; and our human resources, simulations and interests place
us in a unique position to develop curricula for building new generations
of world citizens that are excited about humanity's future in space.
Focus on Human Factors. Human problems -- unlike technological
and physical ones -- commonly have no solutions, only resolutions, which
are by their nature temporary, context-specific and variable; and levels
of predictability will likely always be lower than in the hard sciences.
It is, perhaps, precisely for this reason that we must not give up our commitment
to professional exploration of the human component of the human future.
I feel these principles of operation have successfully survived the
selective pressures of the past and ought to continue to be the guiding
stars of our journey into the future. But survival is not a sufficient goal;
we have to be adaptable without abandoning our ideals. These principles
will help us chart our course, so that we can explore the unknown without
losing our way.
"CONTACT: Cultures of the Imagination" is a nonprofit
scientific and educational corporation.
© 1997,1998,1999,2000 CONTACT: Cultures of the Imagination,
Inc. All Rights Reserved.