AUCKLAND, Today: NZ creative Nick McFarlane is eyeing SXSW London 2026 after making the public voting shortlist with his session A Primitive Guide to the Future of Civilisation in the Society Rewired track.
His presentation centres on one sharp question, “If we’re going to rewire society – and not get a shock in the process, shouldn’t we first understand what’s already hard-wired within ourselves?”
“The campaign is a sign of what’s coming. Small players are about to take a much bigger bite of the pie – even with next to no budget, let alone an invitation to the big kids’ table.” – Nick McFarlane
The talk expands on themes from his provocative book Monumental, exploring how primal instincts still influence politics, economics, culture, and identity through the lens of power and corruption.
Many in the local creative scene will recognise the book’s bold campaign, which blended AI-driven video with real-world footage to create intentionally disorienting, mind-bending content.
As McFarlane puts it, “The campaign is a sign of what’s coming. Small players are about to take a much bigger bite of the pie – even with next to no budget, let alone an invitation to the big kids’ table. Special effects that once belonged to Hollywood can now be cooked up on a laptop… or at your local lunatic asylum.”
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