Music and the Future of Humanity Haruka Fujii, Laura Inserra, Michael Kang, Jaron Lanier, Harper Simon, and Danny Stewart

Music and the Future of Humanity: Haruka Fujii, Laura Inserra, Michael Kang, Jaron Lanier, Harper Simon, and Danny Stewart Friday, December 19, 2025 View our FAQ page for more info, or contact us at [email protected] with any accommodation requests. Jaron Lanier is a Silicon Valley original, the token humanist. He writes books and plays music, though he might be better known for being the central figure in starting the field of Virtual Reality, and for trying to ween people off of harmful social media accounts. Wired called him one of the 25 most influential technologists of the last 25 years. Michael Kang is best known for String Cheese Incident, the hugely popular and eclectic jam band. He plays plucked and bowed string instruments with amazing joy. Harper Simon is the beloved singer songwriter, often seen and heard on TV, who also makes movies and writes books. He plays a mean guitar. Laura Inserra is a force in the world of music for healing, working with UCSF and other outfits in the world of health. She has taken the hang drum and other hand percussion to surprising new heights. Haruka Fujii is a celebrity percussionist hailing from Japan, a member of Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, Julliard faculty, and runs an amazing Bay Area music organization. She raises cosmic storms when she gets going. Danny Stewart has conducted top orchestras all over the world and worked with leading composers. He currently conducts the Santa Cruz orchestra, but here he will play viola, and he’s scandalously good.