Profound messages (or at least thought-provoking) gone in the blink of an eye... That really encapsulates this era. We have access to such brilliance, so much information, but due to our own nature that very freedom of access limits how long we longer over each insight.
These are early days, maybe we will learn to regulate our thirst and make the time to savour and think.
But thought, real contemplation, brings pain so the distraction of the new is very seductive.
Agree with all you say here Lucy. The seduction of the bright, shiny + new. Your words have made me strike through half of the stuff I've got on my to-do list today. Just going to read for the rest of the day.
Thanks for this, Victoria. I love Kruger's work, it's really thought-provoking. Being critical about the images and words we see and read is so important now, especially with AI. I was listening to something on the radio this morning about the AI images circulating on social media featuring US politicians, presenting them in particular ways with particular groups of voters that give a false impression of them. It's frightening to think about the impact that these images will have on democracies around the world.
My favourite podcasts are Ted Talks Daily, and the BBC's This Cultural Life. There was one recently on the painter Frank Auerbach, which I really enjoyed. He has had such an interesting life!
Yes, Helen, exactly. AI is great in lots of ways but will have some big unintended consequences. It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming elections around the world this year -- in the UK, US, India etc.
I also listen to This Cultural Life -- loved the one with Judi Dench. She's one of my favourite actors.
Thank you so much for this piece on being valuable. Barbara Kruger is the perfect illustration of this theme ...direct and thought provoking. We have a small work of hers in our living room. I have also decided that just posting on Instagram to be seen is insulting to the viewer and it seems a betrayal of who I am to do so. While I paint I go first to the podcast "The Daily", of the New York Times, then "The New Yorker Radio Hour", with thoughtful interviews by David Resnik. Thanks again! Barbara Sharp
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara. Lucky you to have a Kruger hanging in your house. Which work is it?
We share the same listening habits... I'm also a NYT Daily podcast listener -- it's one of the best out there in terms of giving a manageable but also deep dive on contemporary issues. One of the episodes that has stayed with me (there are a few) was about AI and how students are using it to write essays. It was back in June last year I think. It makes me think even more how important face-to-face pedagogy is for teaching critical thinking because students are opting out of practising it themselves and getting tech to shortcut for them. I also listen to the Radio Hour too!
Thanks Amanda, I have learnt from you too and value your contributions in this space. On social media and AI, you're absolutely right. It's interesting how much it has impacted on all our lives, even people who don't use it because there's an inclusion/exclusion element to it. Plus managing knowledge, levels of use, new ways of communicating, interpreting truth/fiction, belonging, mental health etc etc.
Profound messages (or at least thought-provoking) gone in the blink of an eye... That really encapsulates this era. We have access to such brilliance, so much information, but due to our own nature that very freedom of access limits how long we longer over each insight.
These are early days, maybe we will learn to regulate our thirst and make the time to savour and think.
But thought, real contemplation, brings pain so the distraction of the new is very seductive.
Agree with all you say here Lucy. The seduction of the bright, shiny + new. Your words have made me strike through half of the stuff I've got on my to-do list today. Just going to read for the rest of the day.
Thanks for this, Victoria. I love Kruger's work, it's really thought-provoking. Being critical about the images and words we see and read is so important now, especially with AI. I was listening to something on the radio this morning about the AI images circulating on social media featuring US politicians, presenting them in particular ways with particular groups of voters that give a false impression of them. It's frightening to think about the impact that these images will have on democracies around the world.
My favourite podcasts are Ted Talks Daily, and the BBC's This Cultural Life. There was one recently on the painter Frank Auerbach, which I really enjoyed. He has had such an interesting life!
Yes, Helen, exactly. AI is great in lots of ways but will have some big unintended consequences. It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming elections around the world this year -- in the UK, US, India etc.
I also listen to This Cultural Life -- loved the one with Judi Dench. She's one of my favourite actors.
Thank you so much for this piece on being valuable. Barbara Kruger is the perfect illustration of this theme ...direct and thought provoking. We have a small work of hers in our living room. I have also decided that just posting on Instagram to be seen is insulting to the viewer and it seems a betrayal of who I am to do so. While I paint I go first to the podcast "The Daily", of the New York Times, then "The New Yorker Radio Hour", with thoughtful interviews by David Resnik. Thanks again! Barbara Sharp
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara. Lucky you to have a Kruger hanging in your house. Which work is it?
We share the same listening habits... I'm also a NYT Daily podcast listener -- it's one of the best out there in terms of giving a manageable but also deep dive on contemporary issues. One of the episodes that has stayed with me (there are a few) was about AI and how students are using it to write essays. It was back in June last year I think. It makes me think even more how important face-to-face pedagogy is for teaching critical thinking because students are opting out of practising it themselves and getting tech to shortcut for them. I also listen to the Radio Hour too!
Thanks Amanda, I have learnt from you too and value your contributions in this space. On social media and AI, you're absolutely right. It's interesting how much it has impacted on all our lives, even people who don't use it because there's an inclusion/exclusion element to it. Plus managing knowledge, levels of use, new ways of communicating, interpreting truth/fiction, belonging, mental health etc etc.