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 accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.