Institute of General Semantics Calls for Papers, Presentations & Books

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/25

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:02:14 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics invites submissions for its Discourse, Dialogue, and Democracy Symposium 2, to be held online via Zoom on Saturday, April 25th.

Our April 19th, 2025 online symposium sponsored by the IGS, Communication, Consciousness, & Culture Symposium 2, featured 24 presentations from Australia, Asia, Europe, and South and North America. This year we again continue the theme from this past October’s in-person symposium accompanying our annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City.

We welcome presentations on topics related to general semantics, including language and symbolic communication, meaning and perception, epistemology and evaluation, etc.; on topics related to media ecology, including representation and reality, technology and environments, art and awareness, etc.; and topics related to cybernetics and systems theory, etc.

Please send all submissions and queries to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org by March 8th, 2026.

Call for Papers for the IGS Affiliate Programming at the 2026 National Communication Association's Annual Meeting

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:48:13 GMT

The IGS is an affiliate of the National Communication Association, and as such will sponsor programming at the NCA's annual meeting in New Orleans on November 19th to 22nd, 2026. The NCA's online portal for submissions is not open yet, but will be available on their website in the near future. In the meantime, we have provided below the text of our call for papers.

The purpose of the Institute of General Semantics is to promote research and teaching based on the discipline of general semantics and related approaches to understanding the human condition. Members are concerned with language, symbols, and perception; applied epistemology; scientific method writ large; behavior and cognition; order, relation, structure, and the systems view; meaning-making; critical thinking and evaluation of information; human potential; time-binding; media ecology; etc.

The IGS seeks submissions that address any aspect of the discipline of general semantics, including applications to interpersonal, organizational, and sociocultural matters, investigations of major general semantics scholars and authors, work that advances general semantics as a field of study and/or relates general semantics to other theories, philosophical traditions, or areas of interest, etc.

The IGS will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Individual Films, Individual Performances, Film Sessions, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must include the title, description (abstract) and author(s) of each paper. A session chair is required, respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Individual Film

Submissions must include a film title, description, keywords, and film maker information. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, upload a copy of the script (no more than 100 pages) or a word document that contains a link to the film or film trailer. Do not upload a video file to NCA Convention Central. In the uploaded supporting file indicate the length of the film. Individual films should be no more than 20 minutes in length. If the film is longer than 20 minutes, consider developing a Film Session submission (see requirements in this call).

Individual Performance

Submissions must include a title, description, keywords and performers’ information. Performances must be no longer than 20 minutes in length. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, include a script, link to a video of the performance, or an outline of the performance.

Performance Session

Submissions must include a session title and description. Submissions must include individual performance titles, description, and performers. A chair is required. Please provide a session rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. In the supporting file please indicate the length of the performance(s) within this submission.

Film Session

Submissions must include a session title and description, titles of each film, descriptions of each film and film maker(s) information. A session chair is required. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Do not upload film(s) to Convention Central. Rather, upload a word document that contains a link to the film(s), film trailer(s), or script(s). In the supporting file please indicate the length of the film(s) within this submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions

For any questions regarding the IGS Affiliate programming, please contact:

Lance Strate
IGS President and Affiliate Program Planner
strate at fordham.edu

Call for Papers for the 2026 MEA Convention

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 19:52:33 GMT

Papers, presentations, and panels on general semantics and related topics are always welcome at the annual meeting of the Media Ecology Association. The next MEA convention will take place on June 25th to 28th, hosted by the University of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. In addition to being the hometown of media ecology luminary Marshall McLuhan, general semantics stalwart S.I. Hayakawa also called Winnipeg home as a child, teenager, and college student, and the event will include a plenary program devoted to him. Click here for the call for papers.

Call for Papers for the AKML Symposium

Fri, 16 May 2025 17:04:57 GMT

Discourse, Dialogue, and Democracy

A Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
Co-Sponsored by the
New York Society for General Semantics
Media Ecology Association
International Bateson Institute
Tomkins Institute
404 Festival of Art and Technology
October 3-5, 2025
The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003

We welcome papers and proposals that fit the symposium theme or that otherwise relate to the topics of general semantics, linguistics and semiotics, media ecology, communication and culture, science and the empirical method, epistemology and phenomenology, cybernetics and systems theory, technology and society, art and perception, cognition and consciousness, evolution and emergence, health and human potential, etc.

Featuring the 73rd Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture
To Be Delivered By
Tristan Harris

Tristan Harris is Co-Founder of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to align technology with humanity’s best interests. He regularly briefs heads of state, technology CEOs, and US Congress members, in addition to mobilizing millions of people around the world through mainstream media. Tristan has explored the influences that hijack human attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs, from his childhood as a magician to his coursework in Stanford’s Persuasive Technology Lab to his leadership as a Design Ethicist at Google. Today, he studies how major technology platforms wield dangerous power over our ability to make sense of the world and leads the call for systemic change. In 2020, Tristan was featured in the two-time Emmy-winning Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. The film unveiled how social media is dangerously reprogramming our brains and human civilization. It reached over 100 million people in 190 countries across 30 languages. His viral presentation, The AI Dilemma, with Aza Raskin, maps where we’re heading with AI and how we can respond. As a co-host of the top-rated technology podcast, Your Undivided Attention, he explores the drivers behind social media’s race for attention, its destabilization of society, and potential solutions.

Send papers, proposals, & inquiries by August 28th to

Lance Strate via President at GeneralSemantics.org

Call for 2025 IGS Prizes and Awards:

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:22:37 GMT

Call for 2025 IGS Prizes and Awards:

The SI Hayakawa Book Prize for the most outstanding work published in the past five years on topics of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics. The prize includes a cash award of $1,000. Send copies with a letter of nomination to the Institute of General Semantics, 401 Park Avenue South, SUITE 873, New York, NY 10016 by June 30th. Email inquiries to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

The Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics. The Berman Award is granted to individuals for outstanding use of general semantics formulations in educational settings on any level. Send letters of nomination and supporting materials by June 30th via email to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

Christine L. Nystrom Prize. The Nystrom Prize is awarded to a student currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral level graduate program for outstanding scholarship in the form of a paper on the topic of symbols and meaning. The winning entry will be published in the IGS journal, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, and receive a cash prize of $500. Entry requirements: A letter from an advisor attesting to the student’s current status, and a paper taking the form of a scholarly article (entries should be previously unpublished). Email entries by June 30th to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

Call for Papers for the IGS at NCA

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:03:59 GMT

As an affiliate of the National Communication Association, the IGS sponsors program sessions at the NCA's annual meeting, which will take place on November 20th to 23rd of this year in Denver, Colorado.

We are interested in submissions that address any aspect of the discipline of general semantics, including applications to interpersonal, organizational, and sociocultural matters, investigations of major general semantics scholars and authors, work that advances general semantics as a field of study and/or relates general semantics to other theories, philosophical traditions, or areas of interest, etc.

For more information, see our full call on the NCA website (scroll down for NCA Affiliates). Deadline for submissions is March 31st.

For any questions regarding the IGS Affiliate programming, please contact Lance Strate, IGS President and Affiliate Program Planner.

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/19

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:06:19 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics invites submissions for its Communication, Consciousness, & Culture Symposium 2, to be held online via Zoom on Saturday, April 19th.

Last year’s online symposium sponsored by the IGS, Non-Aristotelian Perspectives, Ecological Approaches, and the Anthropocene 2, featured 24 presentations from Australia, Asia, Europe, and South and North America. This year we again continue the theme from this past October’s in-person symposium accompanying our annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City.

Please send all submissions and queries to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org by March 21st, 2025.

Modeling Our Ways of Knowing: Examining and Evaluating the Structural Differential

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 00:37:41 GMT

Call for Papers

Modeling Our Ways of Knowing:

Examining and Evaluating the Structural Differential

Lance Strate and Bini B.S., Editors

The year 2025 represents the 100th anniversary of Alfred Korzybski’s patenting of the structural differential model as a teaching tool for the non-aristotelian discipline of general semantics. Discussed in detail in his magnum opus, Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics, originally published in 1933 and now in its sixth edition, the structural differential (also known as the anthropometer) was produced as both a three-dimensional model with discs and wires and as a two-dimensional diagram. In commemoration of the centenary of the model’s introduction, we are calling for submissions that examine Korzybski’s key innovation from diverse approaches and modes of analysis.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to): the disciplinary and methodological underpinnings of the structural differential, i.e., in linguistics, mathematics, science, philosophy, politics, economics, psychology, etc.; visual and verbal antecedents of the model; the model’s innovative visual design and tactile qualities; Korzybski’s process of invention, introduction, and presentation of the model; different variations of the model produced by Korzybski and others, and alternative models such as S.I. Hayakawa’s abstraction ladder; the range of meanings and interpretations of the structural differential; the structural differential and human engineering, time-binding, consciousness of abstracting, etc.; the model’s interconnections and interdependence with other tools/ methods of Korzybski; the lives and afterlives of the structural differential through multiple interpreters/ practitioners of general semantics; the model in relation to relativity and quantum physics, neurobiology, behavioral psychology, etc.; the model’s relevance for and contributions to areas of study such as communication, literary studies, systems theory, media ecology, etc.; the model and the arts, cinema, literature, media, etc.; the structural differential and democratic consciousness; the structural differential and sanity; critical assessments of the model’s usefulness as a pedagogical tool; the timeliness and the enduring relevance of the structural differential.

Research papers should follow the APA 7th edition. We are open to length and format, from full-length essays and articles to short probes and think pieces (and possibly poetic work and images). What matters most is the quality of the submission and the intellectual and/or creative contribution that it makes. Send submissions by April 1st for full consideration (inquiries and proposals are welcome at any time) to president at generalsemantics.org.

Call for Papers for the MEA Convention

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:42:25 GMT

Papers, presentations, and panels on general semantics and related topics are always welcome at the annual meeting of the Media Ecology Association. The next MEA convention will take place on June 5th to 8th, hosted by Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, and organized by IGS Trustee Laura Trujillo-Liñán. Click here for the call for papers.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Eastern Communication Association Convention, Institute of General Semantics Affiliate Organization

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:02:26 GMT

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Eastern Communication Association Convention, Institute of General Semantics Affiliate Organization

Thom Gencarelli, thom.gencarelli@manhattan.edu

Institute of General Semantics (Affiliate Organization) 116th Eastern Communication Association Convention “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions”

Hyatt Regency, Buffalo, NY

March 26-March 30, 2025

Submission Deadline: October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST

The Eastern Communication Association will hold its 116th Annual Convention in Buffalo, New York from Wednesday, March 26 through Sunday, March 30, 2025. The convention theme is “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions.” The deadline for submissions is October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST.

As an Affiliate Organization of the ECA, the Institute of General Semantics seeks individual papers and panel/roundtable submissions that focus on the study of the intersection of language, thought, and behavior. While we encourage any and all submissions related to general semantics, we especially welcome submissions that speak to the convention theme: “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions.”

In describing the convention theme, the ECA writes: “In our ever-changing world, contemporary problems and issues need to be addressed with creative solutions. Communication Studies scholars and practitioners are well-positioned to offer theoretical and practical insights to address contemporary problems.” Those of us who study and work within the realm of general semantics are interested in solutions that arise from the nature of language as our species’ primary medium of human communication, how we use language to create what we understand as meaning, and how we can become better meaning-makers through our understanding of the relationships among language, meaning, thought, mind, symbols, media, technology, context, culture, etc.

Some guiding questions for papers, panels, and roundtables may include, but are not limited to: How might the study of general semantics improve our understanding of contemporary problems? How might the study of general semantics lead to creative solutions to contemporary problems?

How might we look to language, and to our misuse of it, as a means to understand our problems and come up with creative solutions for them?

What problems might general semantics help identify that other traditions in communication studies might miss?

As a further prompt, papers and panels may specifically address general semantics with respect to: (1) our various symbolic environments, emergent or persisting metaphors, and/or current or historical studies of human symbolic use that advance our understanding of symbols, behavior, and culture; and (2) cases or observations of language use and misuse in politics, commerce, relationships, self-talk, etc. that contribute to an understanding of the relationship between language, thought, and behavior.

ECA uses Attendee Interactive to manage submissions and reviews. If you have not used this system before, you will be prompted to create a new User ID and Password to submit your work.

The Institute of General Semantics invites three types of submissions. The specific requirements for each are as follows. (Please also indicate any audio-visual needs, if necessary, as part of your submission. Requests can include Internet access, laptop audio, and LCD projectors.)

Please note that you may request special scheduling due to special circumstances and needs (cultural or religious, etc.) when submitting papers and panel proposals. Such requests will be forwarded to the Convention planner.

Submission of Completed Papers: Individual submissions of completed papers through Attendee Interactive will provide the following:

Title
Author/s (If the paper has multiple authors, please indicate who will be presenting at the convention.)
Abstract (5,000 character max) Please also indicate if your paper is a “Debut Paper” (written by an author or authors who have not presented previously at a regional or national convention) or a “Student Paper.”

Upload of your Completed Paper:

Paper must have no identifying author, school, faculty, or contact information
Abstract (one page max, with “The Statement of Professional Responsibility” – see below – included on this page).
The word “Debut” marked on a paper written by authors who have not previously presented at a regional or national convention.
The word “Student” marked on a paper written by a student.
Required file format: MSWord or .pdf
Consistent formatting: APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago style
Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
Requests for audio-visual equipment
Special requests

Submission of Panel Proposals: Submission of panel proposals should include the following elements submitted through Attendee Interactive:

A thematic title for the program.
Names of the Chair and Respondent (if any). (Chairs should not be additionally designated as Respondents.)
Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations for all participants.
Titles and abstracts for each paper or presentation.
A program copy (no more than 75-words) as it should appear in the final program.
A detailed rationale for the panel (10,000 characters max).
Requests for audio-visual equipment
Special requests
A “Statement of Professional Responsibility.”

Submission of Roundtable Proposals: Submission of roundtable proposals should include the following elements submitted through Attendee Interactive:

A thematic title for the program.
Name of the Chair.
Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations for all participants.
A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program.
A detailed rationale for roundtable (10,000 characters max)
Target audience (10,000 characters max)
Requests for audio-visual equipment
Special requests
A “Statement of Professional Responsibility”

The following is the “Statement of Professional Responsibility,” which MUST be included in order for submissions to be eligible for review:

In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel or paper if it is accepted or programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.

Convention acceptance notifications: January 2025.

For additional information about the upcoming convention, please visit the ECA website.

For additional information about the Institute of General Semantics, please visit the IGS website:

All questions or concerns related to submissions, and to the Institute of General Semantics as an Affiliate Organization of the ECA, can be directed to the program coordinator:

Thom Gencarelli

Communication, Sound, and Media Arts Department Manhattan University Riverdale, NY 10471 thom.gencarelli@manhattan.edu

Call for Submissions for the 2024 IGS Prizes and Awards:

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:29:39 GMT

Call for 2024 IGS Prizes and Awards:

The SI Hayakawa Book Prize for the most outstanding work published in the past five years on topics of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics. The prize includes a cash award of $1,000. Send copies with a letter of nomination to the Institute of General Semantics, 401 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016 by June 1st. Email inquiries to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

The Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics. The Berman Award is granted to individuals for outstanding use of general semantics formulations in educational settings on any level. Send letters of nomination and supporting materials by June 1st via email to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

Christine L. Nystrom Prize. The Nystrom Prize is awarded to a student currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral level graduate program for outstanding scholarship in the form of a paper on the topic of symbols and meaning. The winning entry will be published in the IGS journal, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, and receive a cash prize of $500. Entry requirements: A letter from an advisor attesting to the student’s current status, and a paper taking the form of a scholarly article (entries should be previously unpublished). Email entries by June 1st to IGS President Lance Strate via <president at generalsemantics.org>.

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/27

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:10:10 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics invites submissions for its Non-Aristotelian Perspectives, Ecological Approaches, and the Anthropocene 2 Symposium, to be held online via Zoom on Saturday, April 27th.

Last year’s online symposium sponsored by the IGS, Ecologies of Mind, Media, and Meaning 2, featured 24 presentations from Australia, Asia, Europe, and South and North America. This year we again continue the theme from this past October’s in-person symposium accompanying our annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City.

Please send all submissions and queries to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org by March 25th, 2024.

Call for Papers for the 25th Annual Media Ecology Association Convention

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:49:57 GMT

From our friends at the Media Ecology Association:

THE MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION (MEA) invites the submission of abstracts of papers and proposals for panels for presentation at its 25th Annual Convention, which will be held from June 6–9, 2024 at Daemen University in Amherst, New York. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2024.

In recognition of the Media Ecology’s 25th anniversary and convention setting, the theme of the 2024 conference is community. The conference will take place on the Daemen University campus in Amherst, NY. Amherst is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in America due to a community focus and investment in outlets for cultivating “relationally modern” young adults who are able to withstand and navigate intricacies of contemporary life in a digital landscape (Singer, 2014). The Daemen campus is just minutes from Buffalo, colloquially referred to as The City of Good Neighbors — a moniker evidenced by citizen responses to public tragedy and remarkable weather events.

Media ecology has roots in, borrows from, and advances notions pertinent to the intersection of community, democracy, culture, and the nature of cities. Many principal figures in the tradition of media ecology scholarship have worked closely in these areas, from Mumford’s attention to life in urban environments, to Carey’s concerns about democratic participation, as well as Gumpert and Drucker’s many talks and publications dealing with the intersection of said themes.

The annual meeting of the MEA provides an opportunity for our community of scholars, educators, professionals, artists, and practitioners to exchange experiences and ideas in a friendly environment. Participants at MEA conventions address a wide diversity of topics in our program. We encourage submissions that explore media ecological approaches from any number of different disciplines and fields of knowledge and social practice. We are interested in papers, thematic panels, roundtable discussion panels, creative projects, performance sessions, and other proposals of interest to media ecologists.

While we are open to explorations on any topic of interest to media ecologists, we also include a convention theme with the aim of generating further discussion and probes involving multiple perspectives. Submissions do not have to address the theme, but are invited to do so.

Guidelines for Submission

Please submit paper and panel proposals, in English, by February 1, 2024 to MEA2024@daemen.edu. A maximum of two submissions per author will be accepted. Authors who wish to be considered for the Top Paper or Top Student Paper award must indicate this on their submission(s).

Submission Guidelines for paper and panel proposals:

Include title(s), abstract(s) (maximum 250 words), and contact information for each participant.
Outline, as relevant, how your paper or panel will fit with the convention theme.
Authors with papers submitted as part of a panel proposal or as a paper proposal who wish to be considered for Top Paper or Top Student Paper (see our Awards page for more details) must send the completed manuscript (see guidelines below) to the convention planners before the convention.

Submission guidelines for manuscripts for authors who wish to be considered for the Top Paper or Top Student Paper award:

Manuscripts should be 4,000–6,000 words (approximately 15 to 25 double-spaced pages)
Include a cover page with your institutional affiliation and other contact information.
Include an abstract (maximum 150 words).

Please stay tuned for more information. Questions? Contact us.

Call for Papers for the MEA Student Symposium

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:47:27 GMT

From our friends at the Media Ecology Association:

The Media Ecology Association is proud to announce our first student symposium, scheduled for Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, exclusively conducted online. This symposium is aimed at offering students of all levels an opportunity to present their media ecology scholarship as the centerpiece of an official organizational event. The symposium will feature panels of student work throughout the day, conducted via Zoom, and each panel will be assigned a respondent from the MEA Executive Board for constructive feedback aimed at celebrating and advancing scholarship in our field.

Participation is limited to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, officially enrolled at institutions of higher learning. Attendance is open to the general public. Registration is free to all MEA members. Non-Members will be able to register for a fee of $10.

Guidelines for Submission

Please submit paper and panel proposals, in English, by December 15, 20223 to MEAStudentSymposium2024@gmail.com. A maximum of two submissions per author will be accepted. Authors who wish their papers to be considered for the Top Paper award must indicate this on their submission(s).

Submission Guidelines for paper and panel proposals:

Include title(s), abstract(s) (maximum 250 words), and contact information for each participant. Outline, as relevant, how your paper or panel relates to media ecology.

Authors with papers submitted as part of a panel proposal or as a paper proposal that wish to be considered for Top Paper award must send the completed paper to the symposium planner by January 8, 2024.

Manuscripts should be 4,000–6,000 words (approximately 15 to 25 double-spaced pages) Include a cover page with your institutional affiliation and other contact information. Include an abstract (maximum 150 words).

Call for Papers & Proposals for October Symposium in NYC

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:36:25 GMT

Following the 71st Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture to be delivered by Dr. Lera Boroditsky on Oct. 27th, the IGS will host a symposium on Non-Aristotelian Perspectives, Ecological Approaches, and the Anthropocene on Oct. 28th-29th at the Players in NYC.

We welcome papers and proposals that relate to the topics of general semantics, linguistics and semiotics, media ecology, communication and culture, science and the empirical method, epistemology and phenomenology, cybernetics and systems theory, technology and society, art and perception, cognition and consciousness, evolution and emergence, health and human potential, etc.

Send inquiries regarding participation and submissions to IGS President Lance Strate <president@generalsemantics.org>.

Registration Open for Language & Thought Online Course

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:32:19 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics is pleased to sponsor an online asynchronous course on Language and Thought to be taught by IGS Trustee Mary P. Lahman, Professor Emerita of Communication Studies at Manchester University and author of Awareness and Action. As an asynchronous course, students will be able to engage with the course material and interact from anywhere in the world, and at any time during the 12 day-period from Aug. 7th-Aug. 18th. The course is being offered via the Canvas learning management system. An ebook edition of the required text, Lahman, M. P. (2018). Action and Awareness: A Travel Companion, will be provided free of charge. The seminar fee is $100 for IGS members, $150 for non-members.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Calls for Awards/Prizes for Books, Grad Students, Teaching

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 17:29:41 GMT

Call for Nominations for the

Institute of General Semantics

2023 Prizes and Awards

The Sanford I. Berman Award

The Berman Award recognizes excellence in teaching general semantics. The award is open to educators on any level of formal schooling, as well as teachers participating in non-traditional settings. Entry requirements: A letter of nomination or self-nomination and supporting materials.

The Christine L. Nystrom Prize

The Nystrom Prize is awarded to a student currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral level graduate program for outstanding scholarship in the form of a paper on the topic of symbols and meaning. The winning entry will be published in the IGS journal, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, and receive a cash prize of $500. Entry requirements: A

letter from an advisor attesting to the student’s current status, and a paper taking the form of a scholarly article (entries should be previously unpublished).

The S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

The Hayakawa Book Prize is awarded to the most outstanding work published in the past five years on topics of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics. The prize includes a cash award of $1,000. Entry requirements: A letter of nomination or self-nomination and one copy of the book.

The IGS awards and prizes will be presented at our annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City on October 27, 2023. Winners will be invited to attend and participate in our symposium to follow on October 28-29, 2023).

Send inquiries and nominations to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org

Deadline for nominations: July 31, 2023.

General Semantics Seminar 6/19-21 NYC

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:36:24 GMT

Introduction to General Semantics
An In-Person Seminar
June 19-21
New York City

The Institute of General Semantics is pleased to sponsor an in-person seminar on general semantics and related non-aristotelian systems. The 3-day intensive course will include lecture, discussion, and exercises designed to provide participants with a thorough grounding in the discipline and its applications.

The seminar leaders will include IGS trustees Mary P. Lahman, Corey Anton, and Lance Strate. The seminar fee is $100 for IGS members, $150 for non-members, and will cover the cost of course materials.

For more information and to register, click here.

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/29

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:19:33 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics invites submissions for its Ecologies of Mind, Media, and Meaning 2 Symposium, to be held online via Zoom on Saturday, April 29th.

Last year’s online symposium sponsored by the IGS, Science, Sanity, and the Semantic Environment 2, featured 20 presentations from Australia, Asia, Europe, and South and North America. This year we again continue the theme from this past October’s in-person symposium accompanying our annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture in New York City, which was chosen in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the publication of Steps to an Ecology of Mind by Gregory Bateson.

Please send all submissions and queries to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org by April 1st, 2023.

Call for Papers: Special Issue of ETC on Politics & GS

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 18:59:27 GMT

CALL FOR PAPERS

“Politics and General Semantics”

Looking at the world today, we find much polarization, unrest and political turmoil. People squabble, gossip, jump to conclusions, traffic in hearsay, and engage in many forms of interaction that contribute to the overall dis-ease of the political milieu and social world. Over the past decade, families and familiar bonds have sour over political disputes. Many people do not want this and they wish the world were a saner place, but they lack the resources for both understanding political unrest and for handling it.

To what extent does general semantics hold vital resources for those who would grasp political quandaries?

What orientations, practices or principles from general semantics best helps people deal with the contemporary political climate? For example, how do concepts such as “Consciousness of abstracting,” “non-allness,” “indexing,” “dating,” “etc.” help people in thinking clearly about political issues? Which issues, specifically, would benefit most from the insights of general semantics? For example, how might someone well-versed in general semantics talk about topics such as: 2^nd amendment, mask mandates, LGBTQ, abortion, black lives matter, the me-too movement, Q-Anon & conspiracy theory, gerrymandering, fake news, etc.? Would those most versed in general semantics likely lean to either the left or the right of the political spectrum, or to the middle, or, might they be less inclined to engage in certain kinds of political discourse, especially where terms are ill-defined and/or things taken out of context?

This CALL FOR PAPERS seeks to solicit papers, of any length, for a special issue of ETC. We are seeking meaningful contributions to the question of how, exactly, the study and practice of general semantics can help people understand and handle political strife.

Papers should be formatted to either APA or MLA. For submissions, No Later Than March 1^st, 2023, and/or for more information, please contact Corey Anton (antonc@gvsu.edu).

Media Ecology Association Convention Call for Papers

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:15:23 GMT

The IGS will be a co-sponsor of the 24th annual Media Ecology Association convention, to be held at Fordham University in New York City on June 22-25, 2023. Featured speakers include Michael Schudson, Richard Sennett, Douglas Rushkoff, and Vera Dika. For more information, click here.

Reservations and Papers Now Accepted for the 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Two-Day General Semantics Symposium

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:50:39 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics is hosting the 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and a two-day general semantics symposium at the Players Club in New York City on October 1-3, 2021.

Reservations are required to attend the events. Reservations and papers are now being accepted.

To reserve your spot at the AKML and symposium, click here.
Call for Papers Details:

Science, Sanity, and the Semantic Environment

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2021

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring a two-day general semantics symposium co-sponsored by the New York Society for General Semantics and the Media Ecology Association. The symposium — titled Science, Sanity, and the Semantic Environment — will be hosted October 2-3, 2021, at The Players Club in New York City. It will follow the 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented on Friday evening, October 1st, 2021.

Email papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme by September 1, 2021, to Lance Strate (President, Institute of General Semantics) at president@generalsemantics.org.

About General Semantics

General semantics is a popular, practical discipline that applies modern scientific thinking toward the solution of personal and professional problems. Through the application of general semantics ideas and principles, general semantics brings about clearer thinking, peaceful interaction, and greater sanity to one's life. General semantics has served as the foundation for numerous approaches to human problems with its unique applications adapted from modern science.

Save the Dates: October 1-3, 2021 - The 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Two-Day General Semantics Symposium

Sun, 02 May 2021 18:49:12 GMT

Siva Vaidhyanathan

The Institute of General Semantics is pleased to announce that Siva Vaidhyanathan will deliver the 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture on October 1, 2021.

A two-day general semantics symposium will follow on October 2-3, 2021.

Details on the events are in the early stages of planning. Save the dates and watch the IGS website (http://www.generalsemantics.org) for updates.

For more information about the 69th AKML, and to RSVP, click here.
For more information about the two-day general semantics symposium, and to RSVP, click here.

About the Speaker

A cultural historian, media scholar, and lecturer, Siva Vaidhyanathan speaks on the impact of digitalization on society and democracy. In his speeches, he encourages audiences to consider how technology like Google and social media shape the way we think, and what we can do to foster a new Internet ecosystem designed to benefit the whole world.

At the University of Virginia, Siva serves as the Robertson Professor of Media Studies and the director of the Center for Media and Citizenship. He is a frequent contributor on media and cultural issues on public radio shows and news programs, notably BBC, CNN and NBC.

Siva has authored several books, including Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2018). His articles have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian and The Nation.

About the AKML

For a history of the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture Series, click here.

About General Semantics

The 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and the 2020 General Semantics Symposium Will Now Be Virtual Events

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 18:48:34 GMT

The 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture is scheduled for the evening of October 9, 2020. The 2020 General Semantics Symposium is scheduled for two days, October 10-11, 2020.

Originally, IGS scheduled these events to take place at the Princeton Club in New York City.

However, because of the ongoing pandemic, the board of trustees for the Institute of General Semantics has decided this year to transform the 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and the 2020 General Semantics Symposium into virtual events.

Therefore, there will be no physical events this year at the Princeton Club in New York City.

Instead, IGS will host virtual events in their place.

Details will be announced at a later date on the IGS News Blog on how to participate in the virtual AKML and symposium.

IGS Announces 2020 Dates and Calls for Papers/Nominations around the 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and General Semantics Symposium

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 19:47:31 GMT

Updated June 23, 2020, to reflect that both events will now be virtual events.

The Institute of General Semantics has announced the 2020 dates for the 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and the Two-Day General Semantics Symposium.

The 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and dinner will take place on Friday evening, October 9, 2020 ~~at the Princeton Club in New York City~~. This year, because of the pandemic, IGS will host the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture virtually.

It will be followed on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11, 2020, with a two-day general semantics symposium ~~at the Princeton Club~~. The symposium will also be hosted virtually.

The 68th AKML

The 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecturer is to be announced at a later date. For more information on the 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, ~~its preceding dinner,~~ and ticketing information, click here. For a history of the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture Series, click here.

The GS Symposium

The topic for the 2020 general semantics symposium is Language and “Reality” in the 21st Century. For more information on the 2020 symposium and ticketing information, click here.

Calls for Papers, Presentations & Nominations

Also, the Institute of General Semantics has released a call for papers and presentations for the symposium. The deadline for symposium submissions is September 1, 2020.

In addition, the Institute of General Semantics has released a call for nominations for this year's Hayakawa Book Prize. The deadline for submissions is also September 1, 2020. For a history of the Hayakawa Book Prize, click here.

Call for Papers: "The Tyranny of Words"

Wed, 01 May 2019 18:45:48 GMT

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2019

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring a two-day general semantics symposium co-sponsored by the New York Society for General Semantics and the Media Ecology Association. The symposium -- titled The Tyranny of Words* -- will be hosted at the Princeton Club in New York City October 12th-13th, 2019. It will follow the 67th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented on Friday evening, October 11th, 2019. * The 2019 symposium title was originally "Communication in the 21st Century." Prior submissions under that title will still be honored. Send papers, proposals, and inquiries by September 1, 2019, to mandklevin [at] aol.com. For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or by mail at: Martin H. Levinson c/o Institute of General Semantics Attn: 2019 Symposium 72-11 Austin Street #233 Forest Hills, NY 11375

About General Semantics

Call for Papers | 2017 General Semantics Symposium

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:43:58 GMT

The call for papers for the 2017 General Semantics Symposium, which will be held October 28th-29th, 2017, at the Princeton Club in New York City, is now available.

The topic for this year is Crazy Talk, Stupid Talk, a title inspired by the popular book by famed general semantics scholar and past editor of ETC Neil Postman.

Details:

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled Crazy Talk, Stupid Talk co-sponsored by the New York Society for General Semantics and the Media Ecology Association. The symposium will be hosted at the Princeton Club in New York City October 28th-29th, 2017. It will follow the 65th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented by Terence P. Moran on Friday evening, October 27th, 2017.

Email papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, Crazy Talk, Stupid Talk, by September 15, 2017, to presentations [at] generalsemantics.org and/or mandklevin [at] aol.com.

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or by mail at:

Martin H. Levinson
c/o Institute of General Semantics
Attn: 2016 Symposium
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

Information on the 65th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which occurs on October 27th, 2017, at the Princeton Club, can be found here. More information on the 2017 symposium which follows the lecture can be found here.

MEA Call for Papers: "Explorations in Media Ecology"

Sun, 18 Sep 2016 18:43:32 GMT

The following call for papers comes by way of the Media Ecology Association, and we've been asked to share it on the Institute of General Semantics website.

Editor-Elect Calvin Troup invites general submissions to Explorations in Media Ecology (EME), the international journal of the Media Ecology Association.

Media ecology is an interdisciplinary study of media as environments. Media ecologists explore relationships between communication media, human consciousness, and culture in our technological societies. Articles are expected to use rigorous theory and modes of inquiry to develop arguments that further knowledge at intersections of media, consciousness, and culture. Submissions should be exemplary in scholarship, whatever the mode of inquiry, and should offer constructive insights.

EME invites submissions of original scholarly work that builds and extends our knowledge of media ecology and welcomes contributions from a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, fields of study, and modes of inquiry. EME also welcomes work focused on media ecology education and reviews of books and other media. Manuscripts are accepted for publication based on scholarly merit and resonance with the stated purposes of the journal stated above. The journal employs a blind peer-review process. Suggestions for revision address issues of argument, style, and contribution to the area of media ecology. Writing should be clear, aesthetically pleasing, and effective. Style should be gender sensitive. The editor makes final publication decisions. Authors should expect an initial decision within four months; the editor will notify authors of editorial progress.

Please submit articles as Microsoft Word files to the submission portal, accessible through the “Submit” button at http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals/view-Journal,id=214/ (Note: you will need to create a user account). The submission portal will supply places for contact information of the author(s), current institutional affiliation, and prior history of the manuscript. An abstract of 100 words or less and 5-7 suggested keywords will also be required. Supplementary documents may be uploaded. The manuscript itself should be scrubbed of all identifying information before being uploaded into the portal.

Article formatting and citation should conform to Intellect’s Harvard style, which can be found at http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/MediaManager/File/style%20guide(journals)-1.pdf (or search for Intellect Publishers Harvard house style). Submissions whose references have not been thus formatted may be returned before undergoing the review process. Manuscripts should be 6,500-8,500 words inclusive (text, notes, citations, captions) and double-spaced. If images are integral to the work, please so note in your note to the editor in the submission process. Submissions to EME should not be under review at another journal.

Book review submissions should be entered as such into the submission portal and will be directed to the Book Review Editor, Brian Cogan. Ideas about book reviews can be sent to Dr. Cogan at bcogan@molloy.edu. Pedagogy articles should be 2,500-3,500 words and should be submitted through the portal, which will notify the Pedagogy Editor, Alexander Kuskis. Questions or ideas about pedagogy articles should be sent to Dr. Kuskis at kuskis@gonzaga.edu.

General questions about submissions should be directed to Joshua D. Hill, Editorial Assistant, at hillj5@duq.edu.

August 31, 2016 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2016 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Sun, 01 May 2016 18:42:41 GMT

Awarded annually by the Institute of General Semantics, its presentation precedes the 64th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture (AKML) at the Princeton Club in New York City held October 21st, 2016.

Click here for previous winners and more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

Competition for the 2016 Hayakawa Book Prize is open to any book published in 2010 or later on topics and themes of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, including time-binding, abstraction, language, symbols, meaning, communication, media, perception, consciousness, epistemology, scientific method, etc.

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and three copies of the book by August 31, 2016 to:

Martin H. Levinson
c/o Institute of General Semantics
Attn: Hayakawa Prize
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or via email at hayakawaprize (at) generalsemantics.org.

Click here for more information on the 64th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

August 31, 2016 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language in Thought and Action" Symposium

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 18:41:19 GMT

Call for Papers: "Language in Thought and Action"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 22-23, 2016

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2015

The symposium will follow the 64th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented on Friday evening, October 21st, 2016, by psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist (author of The Master and His Emissary).

Click here for more information on the symposium and 64th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

Email papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year's theme, "'Language in Thought and Action" by August 31, 2016, to presentations [at] generalsemantics.org and/or mandklevin [at] aol.com.

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or by mail at:

Martin H. Levinson
c/o Institute of General Semantics
Attn: 2016 Symposium
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

August 31, 2015 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and 'Reality'" Symposium

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 19:40:12 GMT

Call for Papers: "Language and 'Reality'"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 2-4, 2015

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2015

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled "Language and 'Reality,'" co-sponsored by the New York Society for General Semantics and the Media Ecology Association. The symposium will be hosted at the Princeton Club in New York City October 2-4, 2015. It will follow the 63rd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented by Andrew Keen (author of The Internet Is Not the Answer) on Friday evening, October 2nd, 2015.

Click here for more information on the symposium and 63rd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

Email papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year's theme, "'Language and 'Reality,'" by August 31, 2015, to presentations [at] generalsemantics.org.

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or by mail at:

Martin H. Levinson
c/o Institute of General Semantics
Attn: 2015 Symposium
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

August 31, 2015 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2015 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:39:22 GMT

Submissions Open for the 2015 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

First given in 2009, the Institute of General Semantics awards the S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize to the most outstanding work published in the past five years on topics of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, and includes a cash award of $1,000. Awarded annually by the Institute of General Semantics, its presentation precedes the 63rd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture (AKML) at the Princeton Club in New York City held October 2nd, 2015.

Click here for previous winners and more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

Competition for the 2015 Hayakawa Book Prize is open to any book published in 2010 or later on topics and themes of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, including time-binding, abstraction, language, symbols, meaning, communication, media, perception, consciousness, epistemology, scientific method, etc.

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and three copies of the book by August 31, 2015 to:

Martin H. Levinson
c/o Institute of General Semantics
Attn: Hayakawa Prize
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or via email at hayakawaprize (at) generalsemantics.org.

Click here for more information on the 63rd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

July 15, 2015 (Deadline) - Call for Nominations for the Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:38:29 GMT

First awarded in 2014, the Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics goes to individuals for outstanding use of general semantics formulations in educational settings, and includes a cash award of $1,000. Awarded annually by the Institute of General Semantics, its presentation precedes the year’s Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

Criteria for Submission (Self-Nominations Welcome)

Applicants for the Sanford I. Berman Award should submit, NO LATER THAN July 15th, a single package containing all of the following:

__ (1) a statement of nomination, 200-400 words. It should include how the candidate became familiar with general semantics and the contexts in which the person employs GS.
__ (2) a current curriculum vitae
__ (3) a course syllabus (or other comparable items) that shows evidence of teaching general semantics, including supplementary teaching materials employing GS ideas.
__ (4) and, finally, if and when possible, a video recording or web link from a class or public presentation (at least 10 minutes).

More about the award can be found at our Website: http://www.generalsemantics.org/berman-award

Applicants should send all inquires or completed submission packages to:

Corey Anton
Berman Award Director
Vice-President, Institute of General Semantics
School of Communications
1 Campus Drive, 210 LSH
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
Email: antonc [at] gvsu.edu

October 15, 2014 (Deadline) - Eastern Communication Association Convention Call for Participation

Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:37:52 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics, an affiliated association of the Eastern Communication Association, invites the submission of competitive papers, thematic program/panel proposals, or any innovative programming alternatives (e.g., roundtables, symposia, debates, open community forums, etc.) for inclusion at the 106th annual convention of the ECA.

Please note that, as an affiliated association of the ECA, the IGS is automatically granted one panel on the ECA conference program.

The 2015 convention theme, "Deliberation: Philadelphia," reflects both the rich, political history of the "city of brotherly love" and the history of the discipline of communication, with its roots in the portion of the liberal arts trivium that is rhetoric, but also its connection to the other two components of the trivium, grammar and logic. For general semanticists the theme reflects the ways in which the lessons and principles of general semantics are, in great part, intended to help us achieve, with our deliberations, positive and mutually beneficial ends.

In keeping with the convention theme, we ask that you consider papers or panel and program ideas that explore the issues and questions of deliberation – including the processes and outcomes of, and dysfunctions in deliberation, and especially the ways in which general semantics contributes to both our understanding of deliberation and the successes of our deliberations in action.

General information about the convention and the 2015 Call for Papers can be found at http://associationdatabase.com/aws/ECA/pt/sp/p_Home_Page.

In order to receive full consideration, completed papers and/or program/panel proposals must be received by October 15, 2014.

Submissions must be sent via e-mail, with attachment(s) in MS Word format, to the 2015 Program Planner: Thom Gencarelli, Manhattan College - thom.gencarelli (at) manhattan.edu

Program/panel submissions must include:

A thematic title for the program/panel.
The name of the Chair, and Respondent (if any). The Program Planner will not provide a panel with a Chair.
The names, institutional affiliations, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all participants.
Titles and abstracts for each paper or presentation.
Program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program.
A detailed rationale for the program/panel.

In addition, all submitted papers or program/panel submissions must include the following statement of professional responsibility: "In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this program/panel if it is accepted. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA's annual meeting must register and pay required fees."

Programs/panels submitted without this statement will not be programmed.

For any additional information regarding this CFP, please contact the Institute of General Semantics Program Planner:

Thom Gencarelli
Communication Department
Manhattan College
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale, NY 10471

718-862-7490
718-862-3846 (FAX)
thom.gencarelli (at) manhattan.edu

August 31, 2014 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "'Making Sense' through Time-Binding" Symposium

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:37:12 GMT

Call for Papers: "'Making Sense' through Time-Binding"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 25-26, 2014

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2014

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled "'Making Sense' through Time-Binding," which will be hosted at the Princeton Club in New York City October 25-26, 2014. The symposium will follow the 62nd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be presented by Jack El-Hai on Friday evening, October 24th, 2014.

Click here for more information on the symposium and 62nd Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture.

Email papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, “'Making Sense' through Time-Binding,” by August 31, 2014, to presentations [at] generalsemantics.org.

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or via email at presentations (at) generalsemantics.org.

August 31, 2014 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2014 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:36:15 GMT

Submissions Open for the 2014 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Click here for previous winners and more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

Competition for the 2014 Hayakawa Book Prize is open to any book published in the past five years on topics and themes of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, including time-binding, abstraction, language, symbols, meaning, communication, media, perception, consciousness, epistemology, scientific method, etc.

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and two copies of the book by August 31, 2014 to:

Hayakawa Prize
c/o Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, by phone at (212) 729-7973 or via email at hayakawaprize (at) generalsemantics.org.

September 30, 2014 (Deadline) - Nomination Deadline for Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:35:39 GMT

Applications Open for the Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

The Institute of General Semantics is pleased to announce a new annual teaching award in general semantics: The Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics. The award bears a cash sum of $1,000, and recipients will be officially recognized at the annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture (AKML).

To be eligible for the Berman Award, instructors need not teach an entire course in general semantics but they must show evidence of using GS formulations in educational settings. Supporting pedagogical material may include: course syllabi, sample readings lists, workshop outlines and overviews, samples of instructional activities and/or in-class exercises, publications, etc.

Teachers and professors at all levels (elementary and middle school, high school, junior college, university, continuing education) should send a brief letter of nomination outlining how students learn general semantics principles from the nominated instructor. Instructors also need to submit a short sample video clip (at least five minutes long) that shows the nominated teacher in action. The video may be either a private submission or a link to a public talk. All materials (letter of nomination, supporting pedagogical materials, and the video) for this year’s Berman Award should be sent by September 30, 2014, to bermanscholar [at] generalsemantics.org.

Hardcopy material may be sent to:

Berman Award
c/o Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

New Deadline for the Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century" Symposium

Sun, 11 Aug 2013 18:35:00 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics has extended the deadline for submissions for the the 2-day symposium titled "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century," which will be hosted at The Princeton Club in New York City October 25-27, 2013. The symposium will feature the 61st Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be given by Terrence Deacon.

The new deadline by which to send papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, “Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century,” by ~~August 31, 2013~~ September 30, 2013.

August 31, 2013 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2013 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:34:16 GMT

Competition for the Hayakawa Book Prize is open to any book published in the past five years on topics and themes of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, including time-binding, abstraction, language, symbols, meaning, communication, media, perception, consciousness, epistemology, scientific method, etc.

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and two copies of the book by August 31, 2013 to:

The Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, via email at president (at) generalsemantics.org.

Click here for more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

September 30, 2013 (Updated Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century" Symposium

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:33:08 GMT

Call for Papers

"Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 25-27, 2013

Submission Deadline: ~~August 31, 2013~~ September 30, 2013

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century," which will be hosted at The Princeton Club in New York City October 25-27, 2013. The symposium will feature the 61st Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be given by Terrence Deacon.

Send papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, “Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century,” by ~~August 31, 2013~~ September 30, 2013.

Deadline Extended to October 1, 2012, for Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas"

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:32:41 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics has extended the deadline for submissions for its call for papers on the topic of "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas."

The deadline has been extended to October 1, 2012.

October 1, 2012 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas" Symposium

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:19:36 GMT

Call for Papers

"Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 26-28, 2012

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2012 October 1, 2012

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas," which will be hosted at The Princeton Club in New York City October 26-28, 2012. The symposium will feature the 60th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, which will be given by Shawn Lawrence Otto.

Send papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, “Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas,” by September 1, 2012 October 1, 2012.

August 31, 2012 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2012 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:18:43 GMT

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and two copies of the book by August 31, 2012 to:

The Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, via email at president (at) generalsemantics.org.

Click here for more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

A New Mailing Address and Contact Information for the Institute of General Semantics

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:22:21 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics has recently relocated from Texas to New York. Effective immediately, here is the new contact information for the Institute of General Semantics.

New Mailing Address

The Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

New Phone & Fax

Phone: +1 (212) 729-7973
Fax: +1 (718) 793-2527 (Attn: Institute of General Semantics #233)

Other Updates

Also note the new address for directing Membership payments, submissions for the Hayakawa Book Prize, and other correspondence.

October 28-30, 2011 - The 59th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & 2-Day Symposium in New York, NY

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:25:04 GMT

The 59th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and 2-Day Symposium titled "Communicating in the 21st Century" will be hosted at the Princeton Club in New York City from Friday, October 28th, until Sunday, October 30th, 2011.

The 59th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecturer will be Sherry Turkle, Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of the book Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other.

Click here for additional information on the weekend's events, including registration for the dinner and symposium.

September 30, 2011 (New Deadline) - Submissions for the 2011 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:24:18 GMT

To nominate a book, send a letter of nomination and four copies of the book by March 1, 2011 September 30, 2011 to:

President
The Institute of General Semantics
72-11 Austin Street #233
Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information, contact Martin H. Levinson, President of the Institute of General Semantics, via email at president (at) generalsemantics.org.

Click here for more information on the Hayakawa Book Prize.

September 30, 2011 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Communicating in the 21st Century" Symposium

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:22:51 GMT

Call for Papers

"Communicating in the 21st Century"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 28-30, 2011

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2011

The Institute of General Semantics is sponsoring the 2-day symposium titled "Communicating in the 21st Century," which will be hosted at The Princeton Club in New York City October 28-30, 2011. The symposium will feature the 59th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture which will be given by Sherry Turkle.

Send papers, proposals, and inquiries on this year’s theme, “Communicating in the 21st Century,” by September 30, 2011.

Announcing the 2010 Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Symposium

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:25:39 GMT

The Institute of General Semantics is pleased to announce the 58th Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture to be delivered by

Deborah Tannen

"Language and New Media:
How Texting, Tweeting, E-mail and Facebook Are Transforming Relationships"

Much has been written about how the use of new media is transforming the language, such as the concern that the use of acronyms like "lol" is compromising written language and creeping into spoken language as well. These concerns will be addressed, but more significant is the way that use of new media transforms relationships, for example by speeding up the length of time expected between communications; in some contexts encouraging the belligerence that results from anonymity; and providing access to more individuals while possibly limiting the cvolume and type of communication with each.

The 58th Annual Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture will be held on October 29th at Fordham University's Lincoln Center Campus in New York City, in conjunction with the "New Languages, New Relations, New Realities" Symposium to be held on October 29-31.

About Deborah Tannen

Deborah Tannen is University Professor and Professor of Linguistics at Georgetown University and author of many books and articles about how the language of everyday conversation affects relationships. She is best known as the author of You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation, which was on the New York Times Best Seller list for nearly four years, including eight months as No. 1, and has been translated into 30 languages. Her newest book You Were Always Mom's Favorite!: Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives, which was released in September, became a New York Times best seller and received a Books for a Better Life Award. You Were Always Mom's Favorite! was featured on 20/20 and NPR's Morning Edition. You're Wearing THAT?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation, published in 2006, spent ten weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. Among her other books, Talking from 9 to 5: Women and Men at Work was a New York Times Business best seller; The Argument Culture received the Common Ground Book Award; and I Only Say This Because I Love You: Talking to Your Parents, Partner, Sibs, and Kids When You're All Adults received a Books for a Better Life Award. In addition to her writing for general audiences, Tannen is author or editor of 14 books (21, including her general audience books) and over one hundred articles for scholarly audiences. She has also published poems, short stories, and personal essays. Her first play, An Act of Devotion, is included in The Best American Short Plays 1993-1994. It was produced, together with her play Sisters, by Horizons Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.

A frequent guest on television and radio news and information shows, Deborah Tannen has appeared on The Colbert Report, 20/20, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Talk Show, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Charlie Rose, 48 Hours, CBS News, ABC News Tonight, Oprah, CNN, Larry King, Hardball, Nightline, and many NPR shows including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, The Diane Rehm Show, and Fresh Air. She has been featured in and written for most major newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today, People, The Washington Post, and The Harvard Business Review. Deborah Tannen is one of only five in Georgetown University's College of Arts and Sciences who hold the distinguished rank of University Professor. She has been McGraw Distinguished Lecturer at Princeton University and was a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford, California, following a term in residence at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. The recipient of five honorary doctorates, she is a member of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation Board of Directors.

Call for Papers

revised 7/13/2010

In addition to the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture, the symposium on October 29-31 will feature a range of presentations on topics related to the title, "New Languages, New Relations, New Realities." The deadline for submissions is ~~July 15, 2010~~ August 31, 2010.

About the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture

Over the years, the Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture has been presented by a wide range of illustrious speakers.

Stay Tuned

As details become available, we will update the website. Watch the IGS homepage for details on registering for the 2010 AKML & Symposium.

Call for Papers & Paper Proposals: Edited Collection on Alfred Korzybski and His Ideas

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:26:35 GMT

In response to the resurgence of scholarly interest in the ideas and writings of Alfred Korzybski, Corey Anton and Lance Strate are pleased to announce a call for papers for a forthcoming edited book to be published by the Institute of General Semantics.

The edited collection, tentatively titled Korzybski and…, will feature some of today’s leading scholars and will explore and address the continued relevance of Korzybski and his practical system of general semantics.

The editors are especially interested in papers that draw out connections, points of convergence and/or divergence between Korzybski and particular thinkers, scholarly traditions, and research methodologies. Example topics or chapters include:

Korzybski and Marshall McLuhan
Korzybski and Martin Heidegger
Korzybski and Kenneth Burke
Korzybski and Transactional Psychology
Korzybski and Logic
Korzybski and Stoicism
Korzybski and Postmodernity

The editors welcome creative and innovative projects and are happy to consider alternative suggestions and proposals that address the continued relevance of Korzybski and General Semantics.

Prospective authors should submit completed papers, extended abstracts, or interesting papers proposals, as well as a copy of current CV to Corey Anton (antonc[at]gvsu.edu) and Lance Strate (strate[at]fordham.edu) by August 31, 2010.

Call for Nominations for the 2010 Institute of General Semantics Samuel I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:27:09 GMT

Competition for the Hayakawa Book Prize is open to any book published in 2005 or later on topics and themes of direct relevance to the discipline of general semantics, including:

time-binding
abstraction
language
symbols
meaning
communication
media
perception
consciousness
epistemology
scientific method
etc.

To enter, send a letter of nomination and four copies of the book to Executive Director, Institute of General Semantics, 3000 A Landers Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107 by March 31, 2010. (Please note that this is a new mailing address for IGS.)

For more information, contact Lance Strate, Executive Director of the Institute of General Semantics, via e-mail at executivedirector [at] generalsemantics.org, or by telephone at (718) 817-4864.

The winner will receive a cash award of $1,000.

Call for Papers: 2009 International Conference

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:27:30 GMT

IGS recently issued a call for papers for its 2009 international conference titled "Across the Generations: Legacies of Hope and Meaning."

UPDATE!
The deadline for submission has been extended. Feel free to send your submission up until the soft deadline of July 31, 2009.

(updated July 15, 2009)

Institute of General Semantics Calls for Papers, Presentations & Books

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/25

Call for Papers for the IGS Affiliate Programming at the 2026 National Communication Association's Annual Meeting

Call for Papers for the 2026 MEA Convention

Call for Papers for the AKML Symposium

Call for 2025 IGS Prizes and Awards:

Call for Papers for the IGS at NCA

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/19

Modeling Our Ways of Knowing: Examining and Evaluating the Structural Differential

Call for Papers for the MEA Convention

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Eastern Communication Association Convention, Institute of General Semantics Affiliate Organization

Call for Submissions for the 2024 IGS Prizes and Awards:

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/27

Call for Papers for the 25th Annual Media Ecology Association Convention

Guidelines for Submission

Call for Papers for the MEA Student Symposium

Guidelines for Submission

Submission Guidelines for paper and panel proposals:

Call for Papers & Proposals for October Symposium in NYC

Registration Open for Language & Thought Online Course

Calls for Awards/Prizes for Books, Grad Students, Teaching

The Sanford I. Berman Award

The Christine L. Nystrom Prize

The S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

General Semantics Seminar 6/19-21 NYC

Introduction to General SemanticsAn In-Person SeminarJune 19-21New York City

Call for Papers and Proposals for IGS Online Symposium 4/29

Call for Papers: Special Issue of ETC on Politics & GS

Media Ecology Association Convention Call for Papers

Reservations and Papers Now Accepted for the 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Two-Day General Semantics Symposium

Science, Sanity, and the Semantic Environment

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2021

About General Semantics

Save the Dates: October 1-3, 2021 - The 69th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Two-Day General Semantics Symposium

About the Speaker

About the AKML

About General Semantics

The 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and the 2020 General Semantics Symposium Will Now Be Virtual Events

IGS Announces 2020 Dates and Calls for Papers/Nominations around the 68th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and General Semantics Symposium

The 68th AKML

The GS Symposium

Calls for Papers, Presentations & Nominations

Call for Papers: "The Tyranny of Words"

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2019

About General Semantics

Call for Papers | 2017 General Semantics Symposium

MEA Call for Papers: "Explorations in Media Ecology"

August 31, 2016 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2016 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

August 31, 2016 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language in Thought and Action" Symposium

Call for Papers: "Language in Thought and Action"

August 31, 2015 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and 'Reality'" Symposium

Call for Papers: "Language and 'Reality'"

August 31, 2015 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2015 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Submissions Open for the 2015 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

July 15, 2015 (Deadline) - Call for Nominations for the Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

Criteria for Submission (Self-Nominations Welcome)

October 15, 2014 (Deadline) - Eastern Communication Association Convention Call for Participation

August 31, 2014 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "'Making Sense' through Time-Binding" Symposium

Call for Papers: "'Making Sense' through Time-Binding"

August 31, 2014 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2014 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Submissions Open for the 2014 S. I. Hayakawa Book Prize

September 30, 2014 (Deadline) - Nomination Deadline for Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

Applications Open for the Sanford I. Berman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Semantics

New Deadline for the Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century" Symposium

August 31, 2013 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2013 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

September 30, 2013 (Updated Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in the Twenty-First Century" Symposium

Call for Papers

Deadline Extended to October 1, 2012, for Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas"

October 1, 2012 (Deadline) - Call for Papers for "Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas" Symposium

Call for Papers

"Language and Symbol Use in Politics and Other Arenas"

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics October 26-28, 2012

Submission Deadline: September 1, 2012 October 1, 2012

August 31, 2012 (Deadline) - Submission Deadline for the 2012 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

A New Mailing Address and Contact Information for the Institute of General Semantics

New Mailing Address

New Phone & Fax

Other Updates

October 28-30, 2011 - The 59th Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & 2-Day Symposium in New York, NY

September 30, 2011 (New Deadline) - Submissions for the 2011 S.I. Hayakawa Book Prize

Introduction to General Semantics
An In-Person Seminar
June 19-21
New York City

A 2-Day Symposium Sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics
October 26-28, 2012