ZAMM 2025: The Next Generation

Join us in Eureka Springs for an exciting conference about the science, medicine, art and culture of managing apocalyptic risks, in collaboration with the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival. This year's theme is "The Next Generation," broadly conceived. We'll cover topics including future shaping, decision making, and the role of science fiction stories and games in helping us to imagine and achieve desired futures. We’ll be asking questions like: Should we colonize space? Are we really doomed by AI? Should kids be more protected or more free?

We will also explore the zombification of education and learning, the uncertain and technofuturist challenges posed by AI and environmental collapse, and how horror can help ensure the next generation not only survives but thrives. Expect conversations on delayed adulthood, pro- and anti-natalism, intergenerational conflict and cooperation, intertemporal choice, and cultural evolution—along with discussions of science fiction and horror overlap, populationism, and what social insects can teach us about long-term resilience and cooperative survival. We'll tackle the ethics of AI and tech, including resistance to exploitative and opaque systems, and the limits of deep learning. We’ll also look at how cultivating curiosity about our uncertain future can help us face our fears and manage the risks we are facing.

Abstract submission is now open for all topics related to zombies, the apocalypse, and anything related to our theme for this year. Don't forget to stay for the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival (Oct 22-25), and the Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl (Oct 25) featuring cross-over events with ZAMM and plenty of opportunities for apocalyptic fun including a special performance from The Apocalypse Roadshow. Registration opens soon!

ZAMM 2025: The Next Generation

Learn more: www.zombiemed.org

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