Experimental Philosopher Presents Millennium Camera for a Thousand-Year Picture of Tucson Landscape
An experimental philosopher from the University of Arizona, Jonaton Kits, has introduced a unique device called the Millennium Camera. The purpose of this camera is to capture a single image of the Tucson, Arizona landscape that will endure for thousands of years.
Kitsa project aims to stimulate contemplation about the past, present, and future of humanity, along with the potential societal transformations that may occur by the 31st century. “Many people hold a skeptical view of the future and often imagine it in gloomy hues. However, the ability to conceive such a future is beneficial as it allows us to contemplate various paths of development and motivates us to take actions that shape our future,” explains Kits.
Consisting of a steel pillar topped with a copper cylinder, the camera directs light through a small hole in a thin sheet of 24-karat gold and onto a surface coated with paint mixed with pink Madder pigment. Kits admits that the selection of a material that changes slowly over time to create a recognizable image after a century was based on an educated guess. He hopes that the pink Madder pigment, which fades under the influence of sunlight, will fulfill this purpose.
The camera is situated on the Molter hill, offering a view of Tucson. Adjacent to it, a plaque urges passers-by to contemplate what lies ahead for humanity in the coming millennium. When, after a thousand years, the image is finally revealed, the most static elements of the landscape will be the most clearly depicted, while areas that have undergone regular changes will take on ghostly forms.
“The camera itself does not make any forecasts about the city’s development or future plans. Its purpose is to facilitate discussions and include future generations in them,” notes Kits. He acknowledges that there are various factors that could hinder the millennium project from achieving its intended outcome, including the possibility of dismantling by future generations. However, the goal is for it to continue functioning until 3023.
The concept of life a millennium from now raises numerous questions. In comparison to the previous millennium when the world was still in the Middle Ages, one can only speculate about the potential impact of climate change, advancements in artificial intelligence, and many other factors on our world in the 31st century.