Kwanon Z by Wang Zi Won
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On the evening of April 10, CAMLab proudly hosted a compelling installment of the Yin-Cheng Distinguished Lecture Series in Buddhism, featuring a keynote lecture by Professor R. John Williams of Yale University and a response by Professor Johan Elverskog of Southern Methodist University.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Professor Eugene Y. Wang and Ms. Chenchen Lu from CAMLab, who introduced the speakers and contextualized the evening’s discussion within broader inquiries into media and consciousness.
Professor Williams offered a bold reinterpretation of meditation through the lens of media theory. Challenging conventional metaphysical assumptions that frame meditation as a path to self-presence or mental clarity, he proposed a “prosthetic” theory of mind—one that understands cognition as fundamentally mediated and materially entangled, rather than purely internal.
Serving as discussant, Professor Elverskog offered a thoughtful and incisive commentary that deepened the evening’s critical conversation. The event drew a wide-ranging audience of students, scholars, and members of the broader Cambridge community. Conversations continued well into the evening, reflecting the lecture’s resonant and interdisciplinary appeal.
We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsor, Professor Williams and Professor Elverskog, and to all who joined us for a night of deep inquiry and intellectual exchange.
