Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Kinnicutt Hall, Salisbury Labs 115
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA
(this event is FREE and open to the public)
Contrary to what many believe, Thoreau was not wholly against the technological advancements of his day. He saw advancements in technology and industry as being potentially useful, until people’s lives became controlled by them. What, then, would Thoreau say about social media and our addiction to our smartphones? Is it possible to simplify, as Thoreau instructs, while still functioning in a world with increasing dependence upon technology and 24/7/365 communication? Does technology inherently take us farther from nature or are there ways in which technology can actually foster a greater connection to nature? Click here for the event flyer.
Panelists:
William Powers, New York Times bestselling author of Hamlet’s BlackBerry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age
Kristen Case, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English at University of Maine, Farmington, and currently working with her students to create a digital archive of Thoreau’s unpublished works
Jeffrey S. Cramer, Curator of Collections, Walden Woods Project’s Thoreau Institute, and editor of numerous books on Thoreau and Emerson
Event will be moderated by Sarah Luria, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English at College of the Holy Cross.
Arrive early for a 6:30 preview of the forthcoming video game, Walden, a game! Presented by the game’s designer, Tracy Fullerton, Director of the USC Game Innovation Lab.
Parking:
Limited on-street parking is available surrounding the campus. To receive a parking placard that guarantees you on-campus parking in a lot, please pre-register for this event at: http://thoreautechnology.eventbrite.com.
For questions about the event, email the education department or call 781-259-4721.
