We take listeners on an audio tour of an imaginary 3D world that immerses people in the entire landscape of factors that contribute to complex societal challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In a vast interior space modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, visualization researchers are exploring ways to represent not only up-to-the-minute data, but cultural attitudes, history and politics—all brought to life using unusual and innovative design. Epidemiologist, Lucy Wilson joins the conversation.

Media and data systems are now central in shaping not only what we think but how we think, who we are and what we do. They can be beautiful, convenient, entertaining and even essential, but how much do they help us meet the challenges that matter most in society and in our lives? How much do they distract us or even contribute to our woes? Kaleid provides a window into the thinking of those who research how and why these systems succeed or fail, and those who experiment with new digital media technologies, forms and content that might better serve public interests. Produced by the Imaging Research Center at UMBC, with host Lee Boot.