Agog, Backed by Philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, Pushes XR as a Force for Good
variety.comBen Croll Recently launched media institute Agog is the latest organization to recognize XR (extended reality technology including VR) as a tool for empathy and an accelerator for social change.
Co-founded by climate journalist Chip Giller and Wendy Schmidt, philanthropist, investor and Schmidt Family Foundation president, the new initiative will act as a hub, plugging producers into the non-profit sector, supporting XR creators and educational projects, and acting on the same beliefs that have animated much of this year’s NewImages presentations – that new media exposure might play a seismic role in shaping the wider world. “We’re at a crisis moment where facts might reinforce, but they don’t always persuade,” Giller tells Variety. “We need new forms of storytelling that can connect with people viscerally and emotionally, and immersive does just that.
Feeling can be believing, and feeling can change hearts before ultimately shifting minds.” “[Our goal is make the] field accessible, inclusive, equitable and diverse,” says Giller. “We want to inspire future XR creators to engage in the space, and we want to help social-change leaders and doers understand the potential of XR for good.
And we hope that technology and media leaders see the value of investing in XR.” With a staff of four and a roster of advisors drawing from tech, academia and media old and new, Agog offers financial and technical support to creators looking to better engage with the planet.
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