Against this backdrop a discussion process will be initiated, stimulating different lines of approach to the topic, and polarising opinions. The aim is not to dream up new utopias, but to develop a critical and reflective approach to the current situation, whith its renewed promise that much-vaunted visions of the future will finally become reality.

As the biological body is paralleled first by its mechanical, and now also by its informational clone, our conceptions of individual, body and gender are being underminded by neurobionic and robotic prosthetics; cyborg theory and cyberbody fetishism constitute one initial response.

Media memory: a memory which is shaped by media, or the collective memory and experience of humanity externalised in world-wide networks. What history will be perpetuated on the other side of the media filter,in cyberspace?

On 3 September three working groups will be addressing the following topics:
Memetix - the state of the art in techno-cultural developments and the transformation of works of art at the scientific interface.
Robotics - the transition to the information identiy in the context of the transitory concept of the human body.
Mnemonix - questions relating to the collective processing of human experience and memory in the light of modern media potential.

Participants include Richard Barbrook/GB ... John L. Casti/USA ... Richard Dawkins/GB ... Mark Dery/USA ... Joe Engelberger/USA ... Francis Heylighen/BE ... Perry Hoberman/USA ... Simon Penny/USA ... Sadie Plant/GB ... Douglas Rushkoff/USA ... Matt Heckert ... Tom Sherman/USA ... Christa Sommerer/A .. Tim Boykett ... Jon Rose/UK/AUS ... Karin Spaink/NL ... Sandy Stone/USA ... Tjebbe van Tijen/NL ... VNS Matrix/Aus

The current progress of the debate can be followed on http://www.aec.at/meme/symp/

Contributions can be sent to open-memesis@aec.at

Network moderation: Geert Lovink/NL