Polarization and Creativity: Diving into the Exploration-Exploitation Dilemma

A Keynote Presentation by Yphtach Lelkes, co-director of the Center for Information Networks and Democracy and the co-director of the Polarization Research Lab
Sponsored by Jefferson's Creativity Core Curriculum and with support from the Kanbar Diversity Action Committee, this event supports the 2024-25 theme, "Creativity Within Conflict."

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Location: Kanbar Performance Space in the Kanbar Campus Center, 4201 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 (Get Directions)

light refreshments served
Please register below for reminders and updates about this event.

The tension between exploration—seeking out new ideas—and exploitation—relying on the familiar—drives decision-making across all levels of life, from primitive organisms searching for food to algorithms shaping our newsfeeds. Exploration sparks discovery and learning but can spread misinformation or overwhelm us with novelty. Exploitation, while efficient and reliable, risks creating echo chambers and deepening societal divides through hyper-personalized content. Through examples spanning nature, social systems, and AI, we'll uncover how to balance the positives and pitfalls of these dynamics to foster better decisions, healthier information habits, and fairer algorithms that can support creativity.

About the Creativity Core Curriculum 2024-25 Theme: Creativity Within Conflict
Friction, discomfort, competition, and conflict play a role in our lives in large and small ways. Our creativity can help us to not only manage difficult situations but find inspiration and even partnership within opposition. This year, the Creativity Core Curriculum is having multiple events around the theme of "Creativity within Conflict." We will explore meaningful and productive thinking about the value of creativity as a source of resilience in challenging times.

Questions about this event may be directed to Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel: Maribeth.Kradel-Weitzel@jefferson.edu

Jefferson Faculty, Staff and Students:
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Polarization and Creativity: Diving into the Exploration-Exploitation Dilemma

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Jefferson Faculty, Staff and Students: Register with your Campus Key:

External Registrants: Enter your name and email address to register:

Jefferson Faculty, Staff and Students:
Register with your Campus Key:

External Registrants:
Enter your name and email address to register: