Reading as Rebellion: Emily Tucker

"Reading as Rebellion in the Age of AI" written by Dr. Jason Ray Carney

Dr. Carney argues that choosing to study literature, philosophy, and the arts is a "radical act". He claims that immersion in human texts and thoughts, is not only "an antiquarian pursuit" but an act of defiance.

"Thomas Merton called contemplation 'The highest expression of man's intellectual and spiritual life... fully
awake, fully aware, that is alive.' To contemplate is to be present, to refuse mere utility, to live."

The ability to think, contemplate, and form beliefs is a right and privilege so many of us take for granted. In
a world where so much information is handed to us, we must have a way to process and make sense of it.
Knowledge is power, because without it, we risk being taken advantage of and missing what is important in
life. "Ignorance is bliss" because it blinds us to the real world around us. Ignorance is not truly bliss, but a
false sense of good; it is blinding, causing us to miss out. Miss out on a chance to wrestle with thoughts,
ideas, and beliefs that can shape us into better human beings, more knowledgeable of the world surrounding
us. Missing out on the chance to live more fully.

Reading and writing counteract the negative effects of technology and AI. When we step away from technology, and allow ourselves to be fully present in a moment, we experience some of the greatest things life has to offer. When we are engrossed in technology, we shut others out from the narrative and miss potential encounters and dialogues with others around us. It is these encounters with others that allow us to feel fully awake and fully alive.

I really enjoyed reading Dr. Carney's essay because it is so obviously relevant to our time. I have faced struggles in my own life, whether or not to pursue something that is valuable and meaningful to me, versus pursuing what is expected or realistic. In a world that values productivity, money, and output, we are forced to struggle between efficiency and appreciation of art and beauty. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Collective Unconscious and the Importance of Ego (Serial Experiments: Lain) - Carter Jobe

I just finished watching the short series Serial Experiments: Lain and was inspired to write this blog about the many spiritual inuendos that touched me throughout this experience, along with elements I found relevant to this class. There is an underlying element of the Jungian collective unconscious throughout the show, and it is represented by the Wired, a mix between the internet, a higher reality like a heaven, and a connection between all people and the world around them. The antagonist, "God", aims to deplete everyone's ego and superego along with their bodies, diminishing everyone into a digitized version of the collective unconscious. Humanity would become one, and there would be no sin or differences. Certain characters throughout the show commit themselves to this idea and rid themselves of their burdens to become a part of the wired.  Lain herself is compelled to do the same at one point. In the climax of the show, Lain claims that we don't need our bodies,...
Read more

Kip Redick Example Post

  Page 4 Michael Taussig would suggest Juan's understanding of the meaning of a place emerges out of the process of an imitation of all the “differences” that we discern there. We mimic (in language and action) the full range of sounds, movements, and other sensory perceptions that come to us from the more than human world.” It’s hard to put a place that strikes us as sublime into mere words; we can try to describe it as a feeling and try to put language to that feeling, but sometimes the feeling of the beauty of nature or the power of a sacred space is too big to try to translate or make sense of. Would every place and experience be subjective, and would the discourse be the same? Would the mountain top make me feel the same as another? Or does my personal experience with the natural world and divine keep it intimate/ unique, or would my experience be relatable enough? The author uses the messiness, ambiguity, and mystery of people's deeply personal experienc...
Read more

Dante's Inferno, a pilgrimage through hell

 Dante Alighieri was a prolific author of the 13th century. He wrote many pieces, but one that he is most well known for is his book Inferno. This book follows Dante as he travels through the seven rings of hell, he is guided by his now dead mentor Virgil. This book was the first piece of media from this time period to really explore the idea of what hell would entail. Each ring is split into level of sin, it starts with purgatory, an eternal waiting room for people who are between heaven and hell. The first ring is the tamest, with the least appalling of the eternal punishments. The last ring is for only the most atrocious of sinners and hold the worst punishments.     Dante travels through hell as a living man, so he has no fear of being tortured  as he journeys deeper into the pit of mans greatest threats. Dante begins cautious but excited, he has been given an opportunity of a life time, to document such a prolific place that is so deeply rooted in the core of so...
Read more