X-Mas with A.I.: "Hilfe! Ich bin ein Mensch!"

What’s it about? Andreas von Westphalen (text) and Georg von Westphalen (illustrations) (they are related, namely cousins) take a journey through the civilization history of humanity and address all the important questions underlying our value system: Is humanity good? Are there ways and hopes that we won’t all end up bashing each other's heads in? And: WHY and HOW can we prevent that? Important questions, currently very exciting, controversial, fundamental, and above all: treated with great entertainment, written and illustrated with a lot of humor.

The two von Westphalens don’t undertake their journey alone. They are joined by very likable travel companions: a hare, a wolf, a bear, an owl, and a small, chubby something in purple. Together, they experience adventures and encounter many interesting personalities: Rousseau, Aristotle, and many other philosophers. Often facing great catastrophes, but none potentially apocalyptic. And they meet Homo Oeconomicus, always rational, optimized for efficiency and the mini-max principle, and who (like me) has always wanted to meet him: is he a role model or a mythical creature? Here we find out!

Anyone who thinks that A.I. works so easily – that a mysterious machine can just spit out something pretty at the push of a button – is greatly mistaken. For over four years, Georg von Westphalen worked on the illustrative concept and the many exceptionally beautiful graphics and picture stories for 240 pages. Digitally painted, altered, fed, and repeatedly changed, refined, overpainted, and pushing himself and his A.I. toolbox to the limits. Until all images reflected what he envisioned. Director, set designer, painter, producer, sculptor, and creator – he creates his own universe here (which he and his author call “Protopia”) – a better, simpler, happier world? In any case, it’s a very creative one with many yet-to-be-discovered possibilities, which Georg is opening up with a push.

Is man the wolf of man? Or will we find ways out because, at heart, we all somehow love each other? Christmas is a good opportunity to try it out. And this book gives us a chance to think about it, alone or in groups, and to find some approaches to answers. You can still order it in time.

Within two working days. Here we go: Either get it at the well-stocked bookstore around the corner or online: "Hilfe! Ich bin ein Mensch" by Andreas and Georg von Westphalen, published by Westend Verlag, for 24 Euros, ISBN-10: 3864893755, ISBN-13: 978-3864893759.

We supported Georg in preparing the book for print with Julia from our design team. And I, Stephan, had the pleasure of accompanying Georg on a small part of his journey: super exciting. Enjoy his new book.