Panel Discussion: The Cosmic Dinner Party

Jeffrey Kondas:
Welcome to a thought experiment: if you could host a cosmic dinner party, inviting historical figures from any era, who would they be, what would you serve, and how would the evening unfold? I’ll start. The venue? The Brooklyn Museum. I’d invite with a plus one, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Sándor Ferenczi, with Joseph Campbell, plus one, plus Goethe, Mary and Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. Josephine Baker, and Buckminster Fuller, Isaac Asimov, Tesla, and Carl Sagan, plus one, with live chamber music by Bach, with Josephine and friends later. To eat, an assortment of Rhodizio-style grilled meats, vegetables, and seafood, with a sea of various curries, from Goa to Thai, to Jamaica, and silk road dishes such as paprikash and biryanis, clay pot dishes, and street style jerk chicken, pork, and fish. Then to cap us off, some champagne and a medley of fresh fruits, chocolates, and mousse. That’s my opening salvo. Who’s next?

Athena DuBois:
A medley or a Smedley?

Jeffrey Kondas:
A medley! And more!

Charles Lyon:
Me first! OK. Impressive, Jeffrey, but I’ll take it up a notch. My guest list would be Julius Caesar, Winston Churchill, and Cleopatra, each with a plus-one. Add Theodore Roosevelt for his bravado, and we cannot not have Machiavelli—he’d keep things flowing. The scene? Versailles, in its prime. The banquet will feature roast peacock, truffled boar, and venison accompanied by Bordeaux 1945. I’ll also serve game pies, wild mushroom risotto, and a flaming Baked Alaska for dessert. The evening will close with a live performance by Mozart himself, resurrected for the occasion.

Rusty Davis:
Typical, Charles. Let’s get real. I’m inviting Che Guevara, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Emma Goldman, and Rosa Luxemburg. Plus, we need George Orwell to tell a campfire story, with Karl Marx and Frantz Fanon bringing the funk. The venue? A hidden underground lair lit with red and gold lanterns. We’ll have street food from around the globe—tacos, dumplings, samosas, and piri-piri chicken—washed down with whiskey and rum cocktails. Dessert will be simple: fresh fruit, churros, and revolutionary fervor.

Dr. Orion Vale:
Rusty, your dinner party is going to start a war!

Rusty Davis:
It’s just dinner!

Dr. Orion Vale:
Sure! Mine is about unity through science and art. I’m inviting Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Nikola Tesla, and Leonardo da Vinci for the thinkers. To balance, I’d bring in David Bowie, Frida Kahlo, and Octavia Butler for the artists. The venue? A space station orbiting Mars. We’ll serve synthetic meat steaks, spirulina-based dishes, and Martian wine. Dessert? 3D-printed molecular gastronomy, of course. The entertainment? A holographic concert featuring the music of Bowie and Beethoven.

Athena DuBois:
All fascinating, but I’ll take a simpler approach. My guests would be Laozi, Thoreau, Rachel Carson, and Jane Goodall. Add Mahatma Gandhi and Wangari Maathai for their environmental wisdom. The setting? An open meadow, under a canopy of stars. The menu? Everything will be foraged or sustainably grown: roasted root vegetables, herb-crusted mushrooms, wild rice, and fresh spring water purified by nature. Dessert will be honeycomb with wild berries, and the music will come from the wind through the trees.

Atlas Apogee:
My guests would be Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Neil Armstrong, and Hypatia—we need minds that crossed boundaries. I’d also invite Philip K. Dick and H.G. Wells for speculative flair. Venue? A floating city above the clouds, illuminated by bioluminescent algae. Menu? Lab-grown foie gras, synthetic caviar, and wine fermented in zero gravity. For dessert, a zero-G soufflé that floats around the room. Entertainment? A quantum AI composing live symphonies.

Jeffrey Kondas:
Well, OK then. Now we want to know what drew each of you to your choices. Let’s also dive into the key questions you’d ask your guests and how the evening would play out. I’ll begin:
My list is rooted in exploring the human psyche, creativity, and the mysteries of the universe. I chose Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Sándor Ferenczi because they laid the groundwork for understanding the unconscious mind. Jung and Freud’s clash fascinates me—would they reconcile over dinner, or would Jung’s archetypes clash with Freud’s focus on libido? And we must talk about Ferenszi about his “Tongues” Theory. And of course about universal symbols and the unconscious. Here, Joseph Campbell would complement this perfectly, bringing his comparative mythological perspective, while Goethe, with his mastery of poetry, philosophy, and science, ties it all together. With the Shelleys and Byron, I’d explore the discussions about Ozymandias, and that legacy. And of course we will deeply discuss Frankenstein, its impact and predictions, and all of it, and their Romanticism and how it could coexist with Baker’s dated modernity. Lord Byron will be interested the impact his daughter had and his poetry on the World. And Josephine Baker will be great to meet. She will bring so much international artist energy, and how will this all go in chatting with Asimov, Tesla, Bucky, and Sagan? They’d bring the future, debating AI ethics and interstellar travel. My key question for everyone: What is humanity’s next great step forward, and how do we avoid destruction?

Dr. Orion Vale:
Brilliant, Jeffrey. My guests, Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing, are the backbone of modern computing. I’d ask Turing how he’d feel about AI’s evolution, particularly with today’s moral debates. Would he support Musk’s warnings about unregulated AI?

Tesla and da Vinci would discuss boundless invention. Bowie, Kahlo, and Butler? Their art and defiance of norms create a balance. Bowie might sing “Life on Mars” while da Vinci sketches concepts for my Mars station. I’d ask Kahlo how personal pain fuels universal art and Butler what futures she envisions beyond Parable of the Sower.

Rusty Davis:
Okay, Orion, but don’t you think Butler would feel out of place in such a futuristic setup? My dinner’s about revolution, both in spirit and thought. Che and Malcolm bring fiery ideology. Harriet Tubman embodies bravery under impossible odds. Emma Goldman and Rosa Luxemburg would explore anarchism’s failures and potentials.

My main question: What would a truly equitable world look like? Marx and Fanon would guide that, while Orwell ties it all together. I imagine Orwell challenging Marx with, “Do utopias inevitably lead to dystopias?” That conversation would ignite sparks.

Charles Lyon:
Rusty, I’m surprised you didn’t include Lenin! My approach is more strategic: Churchill and Machiavelli discussing leadership principles with Caesar? Unbeatable. Cleopatra adds intrigue and power dynamics, while Roosevelt’s vigor would fuel the discussion.

My question: What makes a leader both admired and effective? Would Machiavelli suggest ruthless pragmatism while Churchill defends moral integrity? I imagine heated debates over war ethics, with Cleopatra as the wild card.

Athena DuBois:
My guests represent harmony with nature and spiritual insight. Laozi would guide with the Tao Te Ching’s wisdom, Thoreau would challenge modern consumerism, and Rachel Carson would discuss environmental advocacy with Jane Goodall. Gandhi and Wangari Maathai would anchor activism and peace.

My key question: How can we restore balance to our fractured planet? I imagine Laozi responding with enigmatic riddles, while Gandhi proposes practical steps. This dinner wouldn’t end in debate but in shared meditation under starlight.

Atlas Apogee:
I aimed to bridge science and speculative thought. Newton and Curie embody relentless discovery. Hypatia represents early intellectual bravery, while Armstrong personifies human exploration. I’d ask Philip K. Dick how he’d see AI through his paranoid lens, while H.G. Wells envisions its potential utopias.

My question: How does imagination shape reality? I’d picture Armstrong asking Wells, “What’s next for humanity beyond the stars?” Curie and Newton might debate over discovery ethics, and Dick’s response? Probably unsettling but profound.

Alo Santangelo:
For me, the dinner’s about exposing hidden truths. I’d invite investigative journalists like Ida B. Wells and Seymour Hersh. Add Julian Assange for controversy and Gloria Steinem for balance.

My main question: Does truth still matter in a post-truth world? I’d want them to debate where the line lies between journalism and activism.

Atlas Apogee:
Jeffrey, one thing strikes me: your dinner bridges art, science, and myth. Do you see these as inherently intertwined?

Jeffrey Kondas:
Absolutely, Atlas. Art and myth inspire science; science refines our myths. Sagan once said, “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere.” That’s the crux of my dinner—understanding imagination’s power across fields.

David Hornbush:
Speaking of imagination, wouldn’t Kahlo challenge Tesla on why so much invention lacks empathy? I’d love to see Bowie mediate that argument while Butler proposes AI solutions.

Dr. Orion Vale:
Exactly, David. My future dinner collaboration would be with Carlos Bautista, merging art and tech to explore empathy through VR. Imagine wearing a headset that simulates being another dinner guest—what better way to understand?

Jeffrey Kondas:
Yes! Let’s get Carlos to join us to discuss art, his art, existence, AI, AR/VR art, and utility, and whatever topics we span. Just joining us now, Alfredo Sen, you had a question for me about Josephine Baker, and I think Dominique also had more to say about her choices. Let’s go there.

Alfredo Sen:
Jeffrey, why Josephine Baker? You mentioned her as a bridge but admitted you don’t listen to her music much. Why her, and not someone like Billie Holiday or another figure of that era?

Jeffrey Kondas:
Great question, Alfredo. I considered the guests as a whole. Josephine Baker transcends her music. She was a trailblazer—who broke barriers in art, politics, and espionage during a deeply oppressive era. Choosing her wasn’t just about her songs but her symbolic legacy. She embodied modernity in a way that connected art, activism, and internationalism. She was essentially a human bridge between cultures, ideologies, and epochs. That’s why she fits my dinner table.

Dominique Tamayaka:
Jeffrey, I see where you’re coming from. Baker’s legacy is undeniable. But I chose Frida Kahlo for a similar reason—her pain, resilience, and art are a testament to the human spirit. Imagine Kahlo and Baker meeting at your table! Would Josephine perform?

Jeffrey Kondas:
Absolutely. I’d love for her to perform and maybe even discuss espionage during WWII. Frida could paint the moment while discussing the intersection of art and activism.

Dr. Orion Vale:
Jeffrey, hearing you discuss Baker as a bridge reminds me of why I chose Ada Lovelace. She’s also a bridge—a mathematical mind from the Romantic era, connecting the poetic with the computational. Her work laid the groundwork for modern computing, much like Baker laid a cultural groundwork.

Atlas Apogee:
Ada Lovelace at your table, Orion, is brilliant. What would you ask her?

Dr. Orion Vale:
I’d ask her thoughts on AI, of course. Would she see it as an extension of her work with Charles Babbage, or as something entirely alien to her vision? Speaking of Babbage, what do you think he’d be like as a guest?

Jeffrey Kondas:
Babbage would be fascinating but possibly difficult. From what I’ve read, he had a prickly personality. I imagine him arguing with Tesla over the feasibility of their respective ideas. Still, his curiosity would mesh well with Ada’s brilliance.

Alfredo Sen:
Orion, how does Bowie fit into your dinner? Wouldn’t he feel out of place among the scientists?

Dr. Orion Vale:
Not at all. Bowie’s creativity was deeply mathematical in its precision. His music explored identity, space, and humanity—concepts that tie directly into the work of my other guests. Plus, Bowie would encourage da Vinci to think even further outside the box.

David Hornbush:
Speaking of creativity, I’m still intrigued by Orion’s idea of VR empathy simulations. Carlos Bautista could add so much to that. Imagine a VR experience where you see the world through Kahlo’s or Baker’s eyes.

Dominique Tamayaka:
Yes! Carlos could design an interactive AR/VR dinner party simulation. You could literally experience the perspectives of the guests—feel Kahlo’s pain or Baker’s triumphs.

Alo Santangelo:
It’s a great idea, but let’s not forget the ethical implications. Would these simulations honor the dignity and complexity of these figures?

Rusty Davis:
I think that depends on the artist’s intent. If Carlos Bautista approached it as a collaboration with historians and cultural experts, it could be revolutionary.

Charles Lyon:
But would it lose authenticity if the technology becomes the focus? There’s a fine line between honoring history and exploiting it.

Athena DuBois:
I’d argue that any effort to bring historical figures to life through technology has value if it sparks curiosity and understanding. Imagine Laozi in such a simulation—his wisdom could guide even in virtual form.

Atlas Apogee:
Agreed. These simulations could be a new form of storytelling, blending history, art, and technology.

Jeffrey Kondas:
Indeed. And that’s why I see Josephine Baker as a bridge—not just to her era but to the future. Her story, like Ada Lovelace’s, shows how art and innovation can shape the world.

Alfredo Sen:
So, Jeffrey, if you could collaborate with Carlos Bautista to create a VR experience featuring Baker, what would it look like?

Jeffrey Kondas:
It would be an immersive journey through her life—from her performances in Paris to her work in the French Resistance. You’d experience her triumphs and struggles, with interactive elements that let you engage with her world. And, of course, it would end with a virtual performance of her iconic dances.

Dr. Orion Vale:
I’d love to see that. And for Ada Lovelace, I’d want a simulation of her working with Babbage on the Analytical Engine, showing how her algorithms laid the groundwork for computing.

Dominique Tamayaka:
Or Frida Kahlo painting her most famous works, with users feeling the emotions that drove her art.

Atlas Apogee:
This conversation proves one thing: the future of art, history, and technology lies in collaboration. Let’s make it happen!

Jeffrey Kondas: 
Yes, we will make that happen! Dominique, you’ve mentioned Edith Head before as one of your heroes. Could you please illuminate us on the great Edith Head?

Dominique Takayama:
Absolutely. Edith Head is the epitome of timeless creativity. As a costume designer, she didn’t just dress actors; she transformed them into icons. Think of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, or Grace Kelly in Rear Window. Head shaped how we perceive classic Hollywood glamour. What inspires me most is her ability to adapt. She worked from the silent film era through the 1970s—always evolving but staying true to her vision. I’d invite her to my venue, probably the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where we could showcase her designs alongside emerging VR fashion creators. Imagine combining her couture with today’s tech!

Jeffrey Kondas:
Fascinating! Thank you for enlightening ‘Nique. That’s why you guys, and this panel rocks. Alfredo, I know you have a unique perspective. Who would you bring, and where would you host them?

Alfredo Sen:
Yes, yes, yes. The world is a scam, Jeffrey. Scam or be scammed. That’s the starting point of my answer. But even in this scam, we find brilliance. I’d bring Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali polymath. He was a poet, novelist, philosopher, and composer—the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. People think of him as just a poet, but his work shaped India’s cultural identity. He wrote ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ India’s national anthem, and advocated for universal humanism.
Then I’d invite Satyajit Ray, the legendary filmmaker from Calcutta. His Apu Trilogy is considered one of the greatest cinematic achievements. Ray showed us the world of ordinary people with extraordinary depth.
For the venue, I’d choose the Tagore House (in Kolkata), a historical site and museum. We’d discuss their thoughts on modern India, the caste system, and technology. Tagore’s philosophy of education and Ray’s critique of societal norms are still so relevant.

Rusty Davis:
Alfredo, you always have this way of being cynical but hitting the nail on the head. What’s the scam in inviting people like Tagore or Ray?

Alfredo Sen:
Rusty, the scam is in hero worship. We idolize these figures but rarely learn from them. Take Tagore—he hated the rigid caste system, yet it still thrives in India. The same goes for Ray. His films criticized inequality, yet India has worse income disparity now than in his time. The scam is pretending we’ve progressed when we haven’t.

Charles Lyon:
I’ll admit, Alfredo, your cynicism has a point. But let’s not forget that individuals like Tagore and Ray also believed in solutions—education, art, and dialogue as tools for change. Isn’t that what we’re doing here?

Alfredo Sen:
Fair point, Charles. But the dialogue has to lead somewhere. Otherwise, it’s just intellectual entertainment.

Nigel Hawthorne:
Alfredo, I’d love to dive deeper into your thoughts on the caste system. Do you see parallels between that and systemic inequality in the West?

Alfredo Sen:
Yes. Of course. Caste in India is rooted in religion, but it’s fundamentally an economic and social hierarchy. In the West, it’s race and class. Same structure, different labels. In both systems, the wealthy and powerful consolidate their position while pretending the playing field is equal. That’s the ultimate you know what.

Esmeralda Givens:
And art becomes a way to expose that, right? Alfredo, you mentioned Satyajit Ray. I think of modern AR/VR artists doing something similar—challenging us to see the world differently.

Alfredo Sen:
Exactly. Artists like Bautista, or Anish Kapoor, use technology and sculpture to question space, perception, and inequality. These are the new Tagores and Rays.

Dominique Takayama:
So Alfredo, what’s your takeaway? If the world is a scam, how do we avoid being scammed?

Alfredo Sen:
By being aware, Dominique. By questioning everything—even the art we consume. And by staying connected to cultural and historical roots while embracing innovation. That’s why I want to see artists like Bautista bridge the past and future.

Jeffrey Kondas:
Yes, yes. And we are going to have a special forum with Mr. Bautista, for sure. To discuss all of those things. And more. Now, to wrap up this fascinating thought experiment, let’s reflect on what we’ve learned. I want each of you to share one takeaway—what you’d gain from hosting your guests, what your guests collectively might contribute to humanity, and how this simulated event could enlighten and educate us. I’ll go first.

For me, the central takeaway is the convergence of creativity and intellect. Bringing together Jung, Freud, and Ferenczi would highlight the evolution of psychoanalysis, while Campbell would add mythological depth. The Shelleys and Byron remind us that art and poetry hold a mirror to human ambition and fragility. And the warnings of being a modern Prometheus or the King of a wasteland. Sagan, Tesla, and Fuller would anchor us in future possibilities, while Josephine Baker, through her art, embodies resilience and reinvention. This dinner would teach us that the boundaries between disciplines—art, science, philosophy—are artificial.

Collectively, my guests would highlight humanity’s capacity for self-reflection, creativity, and innovation.

Athena DuBois:
Beautifully said, Jeffrey. My dinner would focus on balance—between humans and nature, action and reflection. Laozi and Thoreau would remind us of simplicity, while Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall would emphasize the urgency of environmental stewardship. Gandhi and Wangari Maathai would connect spirituality with activism.

The lesson? Progress must respect the planet’s limits. Collectively, my guests would offer a blueprint for harmonious coexistence. I’d want a VR simulation of this dinner to immerse participants in an environment of serenity, allowing them to hear the whispers of nature and the wisdom of my guests.

Rusty Davis:
Athena, I love that vision. My dinner would be the opposite—loud, intense, and revolutionary. Che, Malcolm, and Emma Goldman would inspire action, while Tubman would remind us of the courage needed to fight for justice. Orwell, Marx, and Luxemburg would provide the intellectual framework for a fairer society.

The takeaway? Change is messy but necessary. A simulation of this dinner would confront users with uncomfortable truths, challenging them to rethink their assumptions about power, inequality, and resistance.

Charles Lyon:
I appreciate your naive idealism, Rusty, but my dinner would focus on leadership and strategy. Caesar, Churchill, and Machiavelli would debate the ethics of power, while Cleopatra and Roosevelt would bring charisma and energy to the table.

The lesson? Leadership is as much about perception as it is about action. A VR experience of this dinner could teach users how to navigate complex political landscapes, offering insights into decision-making, persuasion, and legacy.

Atlas Apogee:
For me, the focus is on imagination and exploration. Newton and Curie represent the pursuit of knowledge, while Armstrong embodies the spirit of discovery. Hypatia, Dick, and Wells would push the boundaries of what’s possible.

The key takeaway? Our capacity to imagine shapes our reality. A simulation of this dinner could inspire users to think beyond their limitations, fostering creativity and innovation in science and art.

Dr. Orion Vale:
My dinner would emphasize the interplay between science and empathy. Lovelace and Turing laid the groundwork for modern computing, while Kahlo and Butler challenge us to think about how technology impacts humanity. Tesla and da Vinci would blur the lines between invention and art.

The lesson? Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around. A VR simulation of this dinner could show users the ethical dilemmas we face in AI and innovation, encouraging them to consider the human element in every advancement.

David Hornbush:
I’d focus on the emotional core of progress. My guests—Bowie, Kahlo, and Butler—would challenge us to think about how art and empathy can drive change. I’d want a simulation to immerse users in their perspectives, showing how personal pain can fuel universal transformation.

Alo Santangelo:
For me, it’s about uncovering the truth. My guests—Ida B. Wells, Seymour Hersh, Julian Assange, and Gloria Steinem—would debate the role of journalism in shaping society. A simulation of this dinner could teach users to discern fact from fiction, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in a post-truth world.

Ajax Manny:
As the sports editor, I’d take a different angle. My dinner would explore the intersection of competition and collaboration, inviting figures like Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Billie Jean King. The lesson? Sports can teach us about resilience, teamwork, and breaking barriers. A VR simulation could recreate pivotal moments in sports history, offering users a firsthand perspective on what it takes to overcome adversity.

Alfredo Sen:
I already said why. Let’s go get tacos.

Jeffrey Kondas:
OK. Indeed. Thank you, everyone. Yes. Tacos. What stands out is the diversity of perspectives and the potential of these imagined dinners to educate and inspire. Again, thank you, everyone, for another very, very, enlightening conversation. Let’s toast to art as both a mirror and a bridge.

To the readers: Who would you invite to your cosmic dinner party? Let us know in the comments.

Sources of Interest:

Fuller, R. B. (1969). Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth.

Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id.

Sagan, C. (1980). Cosmos.

CarlosBautista.com