Where technology meets the examined life.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in San Francisco, USA — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 24, 2026
Kate Raworth · SFJAZZ Center · September 29, 2026
Economist Kate Raworth challenges the foundational assumptions of mainstream economics — growth, GDP, rational man — and presents her visual framework for an economy that meets hum…
Ed Yong · The Interval (Long Now Foundation) · September 25, 2026
Science journalist Ed Yong discusses the newest thinking about microbiomes, pandemics, and how microbial ecology shapes human health. He will consider policy and behavioral respons…
Malcolm Gladwell · City Arts & Lectures at Nourse Theatre · September 25, 2026
Malcolm Gladwell presents his latest book exploring how small social shifts produce large cultural changes. He will take audience questions about narrative, decision-making, and th…
Rebecca Solnit · San Francisco Public Library — Koret Auditorium · September 25, 2026
Award-winning essayist Rebecca Solnit discusses memory, public space, and the role of libraries in civic life in an era of rapid change. The conversation will be followed by audien…
Kate Crawford; Timnit Gebru; moderated by Meredith Whittaker · Yerba Buena Center for the Arts — Google Zeitgeist · September 25, 2026
A panel of leading AI scholars examines the societal impacts of large-scale machine learning, governance challenges, and paths toward accountable design. The session will combine s…
Rebecca Solnit · San Francisco Public Library (Main Branch) · September 25, 2026
Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit discusses how narratives of resilience and solidarity shape responses to climate and social crises. She will read from recent work and reflect on…
Jennifer A. Doudna · UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center · September 25, 2026
Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna surveys a decade of CRISPR advances and the ethical frameworks emerging around genome editing. The talk will include a moderated Q&A with UCSF biomed…
Elizabeth Kolbert · The Interval at Long Now Foundation · September 25, 2026
Climate journalist Elizabeth Kolbert explores the long-term implications of current environmental change and the narratives that shape public response. She will discuss her recent …
Paul Saffo · The Interval at Long Now Foundation · September 25, 2026
Futurist Paul Saffo presents scenarios for technology, cities, and institutions over multi-decade timeframes and what choices matter now. The talk focuses on practical foresight te…
Kevin Kelly · Long Now Foundation — The Interval · September 25, 2026
Founding editor Kevin Kelly offers a Long Now talk on emergent technologies and their implications for ecological resilience and long-term culture. The evening will include a Q&A a…
Theaster Gates · SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) · September 25, 2026
Artist and urbanist Theaster Gates speaks about the intersections of art, community renewal, and cultural infrastructure. The talk will highlight recent projects that blend artisti…
Theaster Gates · SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) · September 25, 2026
Artist and urban planner Theaster Gates discusses his work at the intersection of art, community development, and cultural memory. The talk will highlight recent projects and appro…
Naomi Klein · Fort Mason Center — Herbst Pavilion · September 28, 2026
Naomi Klein discusses the political and cultural shifts needed to confront the climate crisis. The presentation will be followed by a panel of local activists and scholars.
Kara Walker · San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) · September 28, 2026
Renowned artist Kara Walker reflects on her career-long engagement with race, history, and figuration in contemporary art. The program combines visual presentation with a conversat…
Steven Pinker · City Arts & Lectures at Nourse Theatre · September 28, 2026
Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker presents his perspective on human progress, reason, and the intellectual challenges of our era. He will engage with recent critiques and take audi…
Kevin Kelly · The Interval (Long Now Foundation) — Fort Mason · September 28, 2026
Kevin Kelly offers a Long Now talk on technology’s slow rhythms and how long-term thinking can reshape innovation and stewardship of shared systems. The evening pairs a short talk …
Rebecca Solnit · San Francisco Public Library — Koret Auditorium · September 28, 2026
Rebecca Solnit discusses how walking shapes civic life, memory, and the stories cities tell about themselves. She'll read from recent essays and take audience questions about urban…
Dana Bash · Live stream (Commonwealth Club) · September 28, 2026
Journalist Dana Bash discusses pivotal elections and their global impact. Note: this program is listed as postponed.
Ta-Nehisi Coates · City Arts & Lectures at Nourse Theatre · September 28, 2026
Ta-Nehisi Coates reads from his new work and engages in a wide-ranging conversation about memory, journalism, and the writing life. The talk will close with a moderated discussion …
Dana Bash · Live Stream Only · September 28, 2026
A conversation with journalist Dana Bash about pivotal elections and their global impact. Note: this listing on the page is marked "Postponed."