As though I were finished with anything. I think this week was just to acclimate everyone in the cohort (group) to the enormity of the task we are undertaking, a task for which coursework has not even begun.
We talked more about our mentors. Later we listed our top three choices. I had lots of reasons to have picked differently, but I went with Dr. Jim Tucker because he's funny and I like the way he thinks. At least I think. Anyhoo, he respects the idea of learning for learning sake and can't focus his own interests, a feeling I've been trapped by for years. I hate explaining that I majored in Env Science, then Sociology, then got a Master's in Enlish:Writing, and I work in technology/TV. My students laugh at me as though I wasted time. But I didn't. Every course has been valuable, yet not clearly interconnected. With this degree I hope to connect the components of my past with the possibilities before me. Blah, blah, blah...
Substantive critical inquiry - prove a topic from its roots, current trends, having read all new knowledge on the subject. Our goal is to create new knowledge (when possible) worthy of publication.
We then had a mind-blowing experience about "The Fourth Wave." Wired Magazine, sometime in the year 2000, had an article entitled, "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us." (I couldn't actually ever find this, oops one last google and here it is, http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html) Basically a whacked-out prediction of the future with sentient robots who will want to be baptized and saved but can't since apparently they can't be fully immersed (actually the saved part is Dr. Tucker's colleague from Indiana). Anyhoo, Jim Tucker says that thinking is the new 4th wave. I can see it, but I dunno, seems like leisure in our modern lifestyle doesn't always lead to thinking. How many kids playing Xbox could actually design/program a basic flash videogame? I can't, but hey, I still read books too.
Reflections on the week -
This HAS been a mind-blowing experience, which is daunting, since the work hasn't even really begun. However... I have never felt more confident about a decision I've made, never felt better about an upcoming course of work and study, and just really can't wait to get back into the group where we get to throw around ideas, arguments, etc., as adults and learn about learning along the way.
I also am excited about having adult friends to interact with, since this last year I realized trying to be cool enough to hang with these college kids is not working for me anymore. Time to grow up. Wayne said he realized he was old when he went to the beach and didn't care about getting in the water anymore. I guess I'm there now. It's not so bad.
Posted by cmwillis at June 10, 2005 8:19 PM | TrackBackWow, this sounds like a very exciting time for you. Em was telling me about it the other day when she saw you. I'm glad to see you're diving in head first into new experiences and loving every minute of it. Such has been my life since graduation--and it's GREAT! Each day is something new to learn about the industry, and I've got a long way to go. I'm just thankful I found a progressive organization willing to take a chance on me.
Posted by: Jeremy C at June 17, 2005 5:21 PMChris-
I am SOOOOOO with you on the "trying to be cool enough to hang with these college kids is not working for me anymore" thing.
...Though I AM going to the beach for a week in August and I AM going to swim.
Posted by: Bill at June 16, 2005 9:52 AMYes.
Posted by: cmwillis at June 16, 2005 9:22 AMI don't ever get in the water at the beach and I'm 21...does that mean I'm old, too?
Posted by: Steph at June 13, 2005 12:21 PM