Ep71. The Power of New Art Genres: In the Age of A.I. and Digital Economies, Dr. Walter D. Greason, the Preeminent Historian on Afrofuturism, Expands Our Imagination on What’s Possible

It’s not every day that you have the honor of meeting a national treasure who is creating new art genres and movements to help us expand our imagination and stretch our understanding of what’s possible.

First inspired by Marvel and DC comics in his youth, Dr. Walter D. Greason is the distinguished DeWitt Wallace Professor in the Department of History at Macalester College. 

Wondering why there weren’t Black people in the futures presented in classic sci-fi stories, Walter became one of the founders of Afrofuturism, a new lens to re-imagine a tomorrow that’s inclusive for all. He also gave the world the “Wakanda Syllabus” and helped bring the fictional city of Wakanda to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Blank Panther blockbuster films!

Named one of “Today’s Black History Makers” by The Philadelphia Daily News, Walter is an educator, historian, media ecologist, economist, and urbanist all in one who has authored eighteen books on democracy, capitalism, and digital economies in the world today. His latest book and Amazon bestseller, “The Graphic History of Hip-Hop,” is a graphic novel and scholastic experience charting the evolution of the genre Hand its myriad impacts on culture and society.

With such a deep wealth of wisdom on the power of art, especially in today’s infinite, digital landscape, combined with his understanding of the transformations shaping our society and culture both at a macro level and down to a personal one, it’s an honor to have Walter on the show. This is a conversation to revisit as we explore some of the most pressing topics of our time as we transition from the Information Age to the Imagination Age.

Today’s conversation spans a wide array of topics, from the mythological power of comics to Walter’s perspective on the current state of democracy and the world as we transition to digital capitalism, opening up new avenues for economic freedom. Walter also shares what co-powering is, along with a snapshot of the current media landscape in the age of genAI, the convergence of mediums, and the counter-convergence backlash we’re seeing globally. With expertise in Black Speculative Arts, the racial wealth gap, and patterns of economic globalization, Walter shares new frameworks to help us re-imagine the future as well as our relationships with time and each other.

In a world that can be overwhelming, listen in as Walter provides answers and shows what’s possible when we break free of current narratives and give ourselves the time, love, and permission to dream about what’s possible — enjoy!

EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://creativitysquared.com/podcast/ep71-dr-walter-d-greason-the-power-of-new-art-genres/

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