| In Media Res The Official Newsletter for the Media Ecology Association September 2026 |
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| Editor’s Notes September arrives at the threshold between seasons, bringing new rhythms, changing light, and a renewed sense of possibility. It is a good moment to notice how shifts in our surroundings alter what we perceive, value, and do. This issue carries that spirit of transition into questions at the heart of media ecology, from the MEA Book Club’s discussion of Neil Postman’s Technopoly to the newly announced schedule for the Institute of General Semantic’s Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and Symposium on “Language, Listening, Literacy, and Algorithms.” With registration now open and a wonderful range of conversations ahead, we invite you to read, gather, listen, and reflect on how our technological environments continue to shape culture and ourselves.—Tiffany A. Petricini Editor, In Medias Res |
| From the AssociationLast Call for Nominations to the MEA Board of Directors:The Media Ecology Association is currently accepting nominations and self-nominations for four elected positions on its Executive Board: Vice President ElectRecording SecretaryNewsletter EditorMember-at-LargePrior Board experience is not required. Nominees must be MEA members in good standing and will be asked to provide a brief statement of approximately 100–150 words introducing themselves and explaining their interest in serving the Association. Nominations are due September 15, 2026. Voting will take place online in October, and those elected will begin their terms in January 2027. Nominations and self-nominations should be sent to Immediate Past President Heather Stassen at hstassen@daemen.edu. Call for Proposals: 2027 Media Ecology Association ConventionThe Media Ecology Association invites paper and session proposals for its 28th Annual Convention, “Understanding Media in Today’s World,” to be held June 22–26, 2027, at the University of Huelva in Huelva, Spain. The convention will explore how contemporary media environments reshape perception, cognition, education, public discourse, social organization, and human agency in an increasingly AI-driven and digitally connected world. Proposals addressing the convention theme or any topic relevant to media ecology are welcome. Submissions may be presented in English or Spanish and should include a title, an abstract of no more than 250 words, the names of the authors, and their contact information. The deadline for paper and session proposals is December 1, 2026. View additional information and submission guidelines. IGS Opens Registration and Announces Full Schedule for the 74th Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture Registration is now open and the complete program has been announced for the Institute of General Semantics’ 74th Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and Symposium on “Language, Listening, Literacy, and Algorithms.”The Media Ecology Association is a co-sponsor of this major three-day gathering, alongside the New York Society for General Semantics, the International Bateson Institute, and the Tomkins Institute. Event DetailsDates: Friday, October 2–Sunday, October 4, 2026 Location: The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, New York, New York Registration: Advance registration is required for all in-person attendees.Registration is for in-person attendance only. IGS members in good standing will receive instructions for watching the event online before the lecture.Registration is free for IGS members and their guests, but everyone attending in person must register in advance to enter The Players Club. Featured Memorial Lecture by Ted Chiang Award-winning science-fiction writer Ted Chiang will deliver the 74th Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, “No Machine Has Passed the Turing Test,” on Friday evening.Chiang will reconsider what Alan Turing meant by a thinking machine and challenge the increasingly common claim that contemporary large language models have passed the Turing Test. He will argue that the linguistic fluency Turing described represents a far higher standard—one that has not yet been achieved and that we perhaps should not seek to achieve.Chiang has received four Nebula Awards, four Hugo Awards, six Locus Awards, the PEN/Malamud Award, and the Media Ecology Association’s Mary Shelley Award. His novella “Story of Your Life” was adapted into the 2016 film Arrival. His collection Exhalation was named one of The New York Times’ ten best books of 2019, and Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in 2023. View the complete program and register for the 2026 Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture MEA in the Field MEA @ ECA 2027 — Call for Submissions The Media Ecology Association still invites submissions for the 2027 Eastern Communication Association Convention, taking place March 30–April 4, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Fairfax County, Virginia.Competitive papers and panel proposals are welcome. The submission deadline is October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.Read the complete call and submission requirements. |
| More Ways to Get Involved with MEAMEA Book ClubThe MEA hosts a monthly reading group on language, technology, and the human condition via Zoom. Anchored in the tradition of media ecology, the group is open to seasoned scholars and curious newcomers alike, including both MEA members and nonmembers.Acquiring and reading the book is strongly encouraged but not required. Curiosity and thoughtful dialogue are always welcome. Upcoming Meetings (8–9 PM Eastern Time):Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time: Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman. The September 7 meeting was moved because it falls on Labor Day in the United States.Monday, October 12, 2026: Teaching as a Subversive Activity and Teaching as a Conserving Activity. This date was changed to accommodate travelers to the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City.Attendance is free, but Zoom registration is required to receive the meeting link.Visit the MEA Book Club webpage. *Date change is to accommodate travelers to the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City. Virtual Coffee MeetingsDo you have questions about media ecology, need advice on a study, or want to invite an expert to speak in your class? Schedule a virtual coffee meeting with an MEA scholar! To arrange a meeting, visit our websiteIf you’re an experienced media ecologist interested in volunteering for these meetings, we’d love to hear from you!Book Reviewers WantedHave you read a great book related to media ecology? Consider writing a review for Explorations in Media Ecology! For more details and a format template, contact jbogaczyk@gmail.com.Join the ListservStay connected with the MEA community by joining the discussion group. The discussion group is open to all for sharing views, exchanging information, and learning about events related to media ecology.Follow MEA on Social MediaConnect with us on social media to stay updated on news, events, and discussions. Follow us on Facebook and X to join the conversation! |
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