The Future is Now: Presentation to the RU Board of Governors

[TedDGPoulos]

The most fundamental question of all: What is the underlying law of nature.

As the way of all things, what effect do you suppose its question, knowledge, understanding and application by billions of persons would have on the state of global economics, science, the humanities, education, government and private business?

[rbolo29]

"The Future is Now!' - The Time Machine

[cs272]

Great direction to take the dept.

Without a change like this the English Department runs the risk of becoming the Latin teachers of tomorrow--the earnest guardians of an antique language. English major (RC, '90)

[SchrodingerSounds]

I didn't know that English would be heading towards a dumbed down Computer Science degree.

[ruengchair]

Posted by someone with 18,000 video views. which is the point. How are young people spending their leisure time? Watching youTube and honing their skills at snarkiness. Seems a tremendous waste of talent and potential to me.

[FoxtrotHero]

This has nothing to do with Computer Science, it is simply making effective use of existing technology to create media. As a traditionalist myself, it is hard to let go of the idea of writing being the written word in a text, that we can hold in our hands on the sofa, but younger students may not feel the same way. Some might not see this as a problem, but for those who do, there is not much we can do about it. But, all hope is not lost. There's no need to change what we read, just redefine how.

[plattitude]

@SchrodingerSounds As expected, you've demonstrated some terrifically bad critical thinking skills with this comment. And that is why we need programs like this one at Rutgers.

[yonghokim]

uninspiring. sounds like some contractor trying to sell some computer hardware and brick & mortar

[balboarock]

This is a fascinating project. It is encouraging and extremely exciting to see the establishment of a center for creative output not bound by the limitations of narrow specificity. I agree with Richard; the move towards increased specialization without pragmatic consideration of the Humanities' efficacy in the world at large has hindered the developmental opportunities of students across the nation. This center represents an alternative vision. Nicely done!

[YorkWACFellow]

As interesting as this idea sounds am not sure how the "new humanities" will work out in reality in schools across the nation. Also, aside from new wonderful building with multimedia settings, who will decide what exactly and how exactly will be taught? The "new humanities" idea leaves lots of questions unanswered...

[YorkWACFellow]

The idea that the marriage and manipulation of words and images is somehow "new" is strange, since words and images have coexisted for millenia, and we are 150 years into the photography era, 100 years into the film era and 50 years into the video era. Also, isn't this what artists have always done? By which I mean artists in all media--literature, visual arts, music, dance, theatre, etc. Artists have always m.Manipulated words and images, worked collaborativesly, and offered social critique.

[YorkWACFellow]

Many things bother me about the suggestion that there is a "New Humanties" implied by the rise of new media, Web 2.0, etc. The idea that creativity rather than critique is the mission of the university is problematic, particularly because the best creative work engages in critique and the best critical work is creative...and always has been.

--"Miss Peacock"

[YorkWACFellow]

fellow comment 1: Interesting concept and convincing arguement. Yet, I don't agree that communication in both the "new Humanities" and the 21st century will be or should be primarily defined by multimedia channels. Nor have I been convinced that multimedia communication is a "natural fit" under the aegis of English studies. Perhaps posterity will correct my assumptions.

[hep2jive]

90s

[hukenobi90]

What is the search app used in this video?

[mediasnackers]

Great stuff guys :-)

[lemasney]

From a university technology perspective, this is a really nicely presented overview of instructional and collaborative technology's next challenges, and some nice suggested solutions. "Sustained study and deep understanding" are indeed the missing piece of many of our new resources. Well stated.