Buckminster Fuller and Sustainability: A Conversation with Michael Ben-Eli
Michael Ben-Eli, the founder of the Sustainability Laboratory, met Buckminster Fuller in the sixties and worked with him on several important projects, including the famous CHARAS program in New York. Michael will participate in a discussion with Alec Nevala-Lee, author of the new biography Inventor of the Future: The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller, on his relationship with Fuller, the impact of their partnership, and his ongoing research into sustainability. Their conversation will be moderated by Curt McNamara, the coordinator of the Trimtab Book Club, followed by a Q&A with attendees.
About Michael Ben-Eli
Michael Ben-Eli is founder of the Sustainability Laboratory, established in order to develop and demonstrate groundbreaking approaches to sustainability practices, expanding prospects and producing positive, life affirming impacts on people and ecosystems in all parts of the world.
Prior to launching The Lab, Michael pioneered applications of Systems Thinking and Cybernetics in management and organization. In recent years, he has focused his work primarily on issues related to sustainability and sustainable development and has been working to help inspire leaders in business, government, community, and youth accelerate a peaceful transition to a sustainable future. Michael is author of the widely acclaimed five core sustainability
principles.
Michael graduated from the Architectural Association in London and later received a Ph.D. from the Institute of Cybernetics at Brunel University, where he studied under Gordon Pask. He was a close associate of R. Buckminster Fuller, with whom he collaborated on projects involving research on advanced structural systems and exploration of issues related to the management of technology and world resources for the advantage of all.
www.sustainabilitylabs.org
About Alec Nevala-Lee
Alec Nevala-Lee was a 2019 Hugo and Locus Awards finalist for Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction (Dey Street Books / HarperCollins), which was named one of the best books of the year by The Economist. He is the author of three suspense novels from Penguin, including The Icon Thief, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Slate, Salon, The Daily Beast, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and two editions of The Year’s Best Science Fiction. His latest book, Inventor of the Future: The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller, was published by HarperCollins on August 2, 2022.
About Curt McNamara
Curt McNamara, P.E. is a researcher and author. HIs focus is systems, innovation, bio-inspiration, and the work of Buckminster Fuller. He has written book chapters, taught design students, and practiced design. Curt is a Biomimicry Education Fellow and cofounder of the Natural Systems Working Group of INCOSE. He lives in rural WI and coordinates the Trimtab book club which discusses Bucky’s work and impacts.