What are the consequences of our actions today for future generations? How do we become good ancestors? For one year, sound artist Jonathan Reus compiles thoughts of long-term significance into an AI audio stream.

We live in a time when short-term thinking has become the cultural norm. This tendency is made even worse by the acceleration of information flows in social media. There is only a fraction of a moment to speak, be heard, or listen. Thus, the space for reflection, forethought, or even silence fades.

"Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors," says American virologist Jonas Salk. But how can we direct our lives today to benefit our ancestors?

To address this question, Jonathan Reus establishes a dialogue between an artificial intelligence and real people. Each side thinks the thoughts of the other further. The results are spoken, sung and repeatedly rearranged by an artificial voice for one year.

"The Good Ancestors" is part of the KONTINUUM series of generative sound compositions that appear regularly in the programming of Deutschlandfunk Kultur and Ö1 Kunstradio. At the launch, Anne Wellmer introduces sound artist Jonathan Reus and his project.

Production: Deutschlandfunk Kultur / Ö1 Kunstradio / CTM Festival

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