Ursprung Retreat III: Tools for Thought
If salons are an effective tool for collective thought, what about tools for individual thought? This November, ursprung explores inventions that can form a substrate of cognition, and even enable entirely new modes of thinking. Mathematics, language, writing, musical notation… but what about software, a GUI, oil paint, dance, LLMs?
In the words of Michael Nielsen: “a powerful medium reifies the deepest ideas we have about a subject; it becomes an active carrier for those ideas”. How might we design a medium so that its “grain” bends in line with how we think? How much further might that allow us to think, and how much more easily to share the outcome with others?
Calling all artists, mathematicians, technologists, philosophers and more for an exploratory attempt to forge new tools for interdisciplinary thought.
Spots available: 20 max.
Location: a cosy chalet high in the mountains in Tirol, Austria. Details shared upon invitation.
Application
Deadline: September 1st 2025
We welcome applications from creative and thoughtful individuals from all disciplines, backgrounds and ages. If you seem like a good fit, you'll be invited for a short interview to get to know each other. We'll get back to you by early September.
We're also hosting our fourth retreat on Creativity Beyond Computation in January 2026. You are encouraged to apply to both! If your application is successful, you'll have the opportunity to choose the weekend you feel fits you the best.
Pricing
Ursprung is currently funded entirely by its participants. We therefore have a tiered pricing scheme:
Student 350€
For students and those on low income. We hope to offer a limited number of even further discounted tickets to those in need; please do apply anyway if the cost would otherwise keep you from attending.
Professional 550€
For those who work. Your support makes this retreat accessible to an interdisciplinary and diverse cohort from all walks of life.
Supporter 1000€
For those who can afford it, we would be highly grateful for your support to make the continuation of the ursprung project possible. Let us know if you want to contribute a different amount.