We live in a culture of technological intoxication, blurring the lines between the real and the ersatz. There are entire industries working on institutionalizing this merging of realities. Amazon’s Echo makes the real and the fake seamless, delivering high touch through high tech in your kitchen, bedroom, office – wherever and whenever you need Alexa.
Ingenuity + Imagination explores the frisson of cutting-edge tech and the need for the human touch from an outside-in perspective. This year’s conference is housed nearby the cliffside walled city of Tulum in the Yucatán, one of the most celebrated ancient Mayan ports and spiritual centers, Applied Brilliance looks to the intuitive genius of the resource-constrained high-tech brilliance of the Maya to reframe ingenuity and imagination for today. A meeting of the minds of some of today’s most imaginative and intelligent thought leaders from all disciplines and experts on Mayan culture, engineering, astronomy, art, myths and legends will take place in an open palapa meeting space framed by the backdrop of the dazzling palette of the Caribbean Sea.
Applied Brilliance 2017 will reinforce the power of the innate creativity and curiosity of the human spirit and celebrate the ideas, breakthroughs and brilliance of our presenters.
Applied Brilliance opens with a welcome dinner on Tuesday April 4th. Our thought leadership sessions take place Wednesday and Thursday mornings, April 5th and 6th, from 9:00 to 1:00, including lunch. At each session speakers will work together with guests on a series of problem-solving case studies reflecting systems solutions through applied brilliance.
Afternoons will offer a choice of Applied Brilliance on-site activities in the surrounding community to experience curated visits to ancient Maya archeology and architecture sites; magical water adventures in the cenotes, reefs and ancient Mayan canals; and sublime healing arts. It’s Applied Brilliance on location with local experts in Mayan culture, sustainable tourism and architecture.
Breakfast
Track One
Ingenuity + System Solutions Case Study
Ingenuity - Arthur Demarest, Archeologist
Expression - Jonathan Harris, Artist
Astronomy – Ed Krupp, Astronomer
Systems - Adrian Bejan, Engineer
Mind – Adam Gazzaley, Neuroscientist
Networking Lunch
Track Two
On-site Applied Brilliance Field Trips (Choose one)
Applied Brilliance On-Site at Sian Ka'an Biosphere -- Muyil Ruins and Eco-path + Ancient Trading Canals Floating Experience
The archeological site of Muyil is located in the northern part of the protected Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve. This ancient Mayan trading post is the perfect place to enjoy compelling Mayan temples such as the 17-meter "El Castillo" in the incredibly diverse semi-deciduous jungle of Sian Ka'an. From the archeological site we take a short curated trail towards the tallest observation point of Sian Ka'an to admire the jungle and the fresh water wetlands.
Once we reach the Muyil lagoon, we take a boat across two lagoons connected by a man-made canal that has been in use for over 1100 years. Xlapak is the name of the building at the start of an incredible floating experience in crystal clear pluvial water on its way to the Caribbean Sea. We float for over 30 minutes surrounded by mangroves, orchids, bromeliads and cacti and the sounds of nature.
Casa Cenote
Visit nearby Casa Cenote, sitting on top of a large natural underground cave system. You can rent snorkel gear and swim in the crystalline fresh water of the cenote as well as explore the ocean coral reefs. Casa Cenote offers a spectacular view and a handy beach bar.
Track Three
Applied Brilliance On-site at Tulum Ruins
We will visit the 13th century, pre-Columbian Mayan city with a curated tour from presenters Arthur Demarest and Ed Krupp. This walled seaport was the only Mayan city built on the coast, carved into the bluffs of Tulum. It was also a significant astronomical site.
Cocktails and Dinner
Minu on the Beach
Breakfast
Track Four
Imagination + Systems Solutions Case Study
AI - Kate Darling, Ethicist
Sustainability - Lelei LeLaulu, Development Entrepreneur
Next-Gen - Miguel Amar U, Explorer
Self - Reif Larsen, Storyteller
Lunch
Track Five – Applied Brilliance Field Trips (Choose one)
On-Site Applied Brilliance at Coba Ruins and Cenote
A curated visit to Coba, 30 minutes from Tulum, an ancient jungle city dating from 300-1000 AD. We will have a curated visit (you can see the site on a bike) to explore the ruins of Coba. The early settlers of Cobá took advantage of a series of small lagoons to found their city; which was possibly the largest pre-Hispanic settlement of the Classic period in northern Yucatán. Cobá has five main architectural groups distributed around the lakes connected by an impressive road network of sacbeoob (ancient causeways). The temple known as Nohoch Mul is about 42m tall and from the top you can see the canopy of the jungle covering the remains of this 45-square mile city. On the way back to Tulum, you’ll visit a refreshing cenote to enjoy its pure fresh water.
On-site Applied Brilliance at Sian Ka'an Biosphere -- Muyil Ruins and Eco-path + Ancient Trading Canals Floating Experience
The archeological site of Muyil is located in the northern part of the protected Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve. This ancient Mayan trading post is the perfect place to enjoy compelling Mayan temples such as the 17-meter "El Castillo" in the incredibly diverse semi-deciduous jungle of Sian Ka'an. From the archeological site we take a short curated trail towards the tallest observation point of Sian Ka'an to admire the jungle and the fresh water wetlands.
Once we reach the Muyil lagoon, we take a boat across two lagoons connected by an artificial canal that has been in use for many 1100 years/ Xlapak is the name of the building at the start of an incredible floating experience in crystal clear pluvial water on its way to the Caribbean Sea. We float for over 30 minutes surrounded by mangroves, orchids, bromeliads and cacti and the sounds of nature.
Casa Cenote
Visit nearby Casa Cenote, sitting on top of a large underground cave system. You can rent snorkel gear and swim in the crystalline fresh water of the cenote as well as explore the ocean coral reefs. Casa Cenote offers a spectacular view and a handy beach bar.
Cocktails, Dinner and Music
Zamas on the Beach
The Papaya Playa Project is a unique jungle+seacoast resort operating as a living lab and eco-camp for sustainable tourism. We will stay in simple cabañas overlooking the Caribbean and walk the jungle pathways to venues within the resort. Stretching along a half kilometer of beachfront, the PPP is private and playful, with a jungle high cool-factor.
Travel:
Cancun is the closest airport. Shuttle service to Tulum can be arranged through the Papaya Playa Project.
You can also rent a car at the Cancun airport to take the 1.5-hour drive south to Riviera Maya.
Hotel:
Papaya Playa a Design Hotels Project
Km 4.5 Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Tulum Quintana Roo 77780 Mexico
Local Phone: +52 (1) 984.116.3774
reservations@papayaplayaproject.com
Ask for Applied Brilliance promo code: ABPPP2017
Jungle Garden Cabana (1 bed) – $178
Jungle Garden Cabana (2 beds) – $228
Cabana with Oceanfront View (1 bed) – $279
Cabana with Oceanfront View (2 beds) – $355
Jungle garden Casita with Private Pool – $415
Casita with Oceanfront View and Private Pool – $459
Additional Hotels:
There are many hotels along the beach south of PPP. The closest is Zamas that you can walk to if you don’t have a car. There are also taxis stationed throughout the resort area to get you back and forth.
Zamas
Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
+52 984 877 8523
info@zamas.com
Registration fee covers all conference meeting fees; on-site visit to the Tulum ruins and all meals (excluding liquor). Several additional on-site Applied Brilliance activities will be offered for additional fees. The hotel is not included
$1775, alumni
$1950, first timers
Field Trips (additional costs)
Coba Ruins and Cenote – $65
Muyil Ruins and Canal Float Trip – $95
Casa Cenote – $25
Papaya Playa Project Resort – To be booked directly with hotel
Km 4.5 Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Tulum Quintana Roo 77780 Mexico
Local Phone: +52 (1) 984.116.3774
reservations@papayaplayaproject.com
Ask for Applied Brilliance promo code: ABPPP2017
Jungle Cabana , 1 bed, private bath $178
Jungle cabana, 2 beds, private bath $228
Oceanfront cabana, 1 bed, private bath $279
Ocean front cabana, 2 beds, private bath $355
Jungle casita, I bed, private pool, private bath $415
Oceanfront casita, 1 bed, private pool, private bath $459
Additional Hotels:
There are many hotels along the beach south of PPP. The closest is Zamas that you can walk to if you don’t have a car. There are also taxis stationed throughout the resort area to get you back and forth.
Zamas
Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
+52 984 877 8523
info@zamas.com
