Library Exhibition: Promising Future, Complex Past

September 16 – October 25, 2024

Event Link
Event Date(s): 
Monday, September 16, 2024 - 7:00am to Thursday, September 19, 2024 - 8:00pm
Friday, September 20, 2024 - 7:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 10:00am to Sunday, September 22, 2024 - 4:00pm
Monday, September 23, 2024 - 7:00am to Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 8:00pm
Friday, September 27, 2024 - 7:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 10:00am to Sunday, September 29, 2024 - 4:00pm
Monday, September 30, 2024 - 7:00am to Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 8:00pm
Friday, October 4, 2024 - 7:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, October 5, 2024 - 10:00am to Sunday, October 6, 2024 - 4:00pm
Monday, October 7, 2024 - 7:00am to Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 8:00pm
Friday, October 11, 2024 - 7:00am to 4:00pm
Monday, October 14, 2024 - 8:00am to Thursday, October 17, 2024 - 7:00pm
Friday, October 18, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Monday, October 21, 2024 - 8:00am to Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 7:00pm
Friday, October 25, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Event Location: 
The MCC Libraries
Event Format: 
In-Person
Intended Audience: 
Everyone
Event Contact
Marjorie Leta, marjorie.leta@mesacc.edu
Event Short Link
mesacc.edu/go/mus

Promising Future, Complex Past: Artificial Intelligence and the Legacy of Physiognomy

The MCC Libraries have been selected as a hosting site for the National Library of Medicine's traveling exhibition Promising Future, Complex Past: Artificial Intelligence and the Legacy of Physiognomy.

The traveling banner exhibition and companion website presents the history of physiognomy - the practice of assessing one's mental character based on physical attributes - and explores its influence on contemporary artificial intelligence and computer science technologies that gather and interpret body data. Now debunked as pseudoscience, physiognomy enjoyed periods of legitimacy and popularity over a history spanning millennia, being discredited in the 20th century. We've rejected the harmful aspects of physiognomy, but efforts to gain information from physical characteristics continue with today's technologies, which have positive potential.

The exhibition will be on display at both of the MCC Libraries on the following dates:

Southern & Dobson Library: September 16 - October 11 (during library operating hours)

Red Mountain Library: October 14 - October 25 (during library operating hours)

The exhibit can also be viewed virtually at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/artificial-intelligence-and-physiognomy/index.html

For inquiries about this event, please contact the person above. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.