After Literacy: Planning for a World Without Writing (Mar 13 - 27)
We're only now grasping the profound impact of the written word as it recedes from our lives. For centuries, text has invisibly shaped our cognition, institutions, and sense of self. Now, as AI models pen Joycean prose while humans increasingly struggle with multisyllabic words, we're witnessing an unprecedented reversal: swarms of machine intelligence processing text with superhuman ability, while adult literacy rates plummet to middle-school levels. Welcome to the Age of Detextualization.
This transformation reaches far beyond mere communication. As AI enables speech-to-data conversion and voice-activated operations, we're transitioning from a text-centric world to one where AI-mediated speech reigns supreme. This shift isn't just changing how we communicate; it's rewiring human cognition and attention at a fundamental level.
Our generation faces a crucial challenge: how to preserve the benefits of literacy as we transition to a potentially post-literate era. Can AI interfaces foster the deep engagement we associate with reading? Is it possible to maintain the clarity of thought cultivated by writing in a world of speech-to-speech communication? Or are we witnessing an inexorable trade, where machines inherit our textual capabilities while humans slip into terminal illiteracy?
This seminar will explore these questions, with special attention to an emerging paradox: as general literacy declines, the cognitive formation provided by deep reading may become even more crucial—perhaps our key to meaningful interaction with increasingly sophisticated AI models in the years ahead.
Led by Jac Mullen, writer, teacher, and former Executive Editor of The American Reader.
Classes on Thursdays, 6:45 - 9:15pm
Mar 13th - 27th
55 Washington St, Ste. 736, Dumbo
Our courses cost $250, with an Advanced rate for students with an income above 100k. We also offer a Discounted rate for students with constraining circumstances.
Additionally, we offer three tuition-waiver scholarships per course. To apply for a scholarship, click HERE.
Seminar participants are eligible for a refund as late as 24 hours before the start of the first seminar gathering. (Participants can also ask that their enrollment credit be transferred to another seminar or SoRA program of equal or lower cost.) Beyond this deadline, we do not offer refunds.
We're only now grasping the profound impact of the written word as it recedes from our lives. For centuries, text has invisibly shaped our cognition, institutions, and sense of self. Now, as AI models pen Joycean prose while humans increasingly struggle with multisyllabic words, we're witnessing an unprecedented reversal: swarms of machine intelligence processing text with superhuman ability, while adult literacy rates plummet to middle-school levels. Welcome to the Age of Detextualization.
This transformation reaches far beyond mere communication. As AI enables speech-to-data conversion and voice-activated operations, we're transitioning from a text-centric world to one where AI-mediated speech reigns supreme. This shift isn't just changing how we communicate; it's rewiring human cognition and attention at a fundamental level.
Our generation faces a crucial challenge: how to preserve the benefits of literacy as we transition to a potentially post-literate era. Can AI interfaces foster the deep engagement we associate with reading? Is it possible to maintain the clarity of thought cultivated by writing in a world of speech-to-speech communication? Or are we witnessing an inexorable trade, where machines inherit our textual capabilities while humans slip into terminal illiteracy?
This seminar will explore these questions, with special attention to an emerging paradox: as general literacy declines, the cognitive formation provided by deep reading may become even more crucial—perhaps our key to meaningful interaction with increasingly sophisticated AI models in the years ahead.
Led by Jac Mullen, writer, teacher, and former Executive Editor of The American Reader.
Classes on Thursdays, 6:45 - 9:15pm
Mar 13th - 27th
55 Washington St, Ste. 736, Dumbo
Our courses cost $250, with an Advanced rate for students with an income above 100k. We also offer a Discounted rate for students with constraining circumstances.
Additionally, we offer three tuition-waiver scholarships per course. To apply for a scholarship, click HERE.
Seminar participants are eligible for a refund as late as 24 hours before the start of the first seminar gathering. (Participants can also ask that their enrollment credit be transferred to another seminar or SoRA program of equal or lower cost.) Beyond this deadline, we do not offer refunds.
We're only now grasping the profound impact of the written word as it recedes from our lives. For centuries, text has invisibly shaped our cognition, institutions, and sense of self. Now, as AI models pen Joycean prose while humans increasingly struggle with multisyllabic words, we're witnessing an unprecedented reversal: swarms of machine intelligence processing text with superhuman ability, while adult literacy rates plummet to middle-school levels. Welcome to the Age of Detextualization.
This transformation reaches far beyond mere communication. As AI enables speech-to-data conversion and voice-activated operations, we're transitioning from a text-centric world to one where AI-mediated speech reigns supreme. This shift isn't just changing how we communicate; it's rewiring human cognition and attention at a fundamental level.
Our generation faces a crucial challenge: how to preserve the benefits of literacy as we transition to a potentially post-literate era. Can AI interfaces foster the deep engagement we associate with reading? Is it possible to maintain the clarity of thought cultivated by writing in a world of speech-to-speech communication? Or are we witnessing an inexorable trade, where machines inherit our textual capabilities while humans slip into terminal illiteracy?
This seminar will explore these questions, with special attention to an emerging paradox: as general literacy declines, the cognitive formation provided by deep reading may become even more crucial—perhaps our key to meaningful interaction with increasingly sophisticated AI models in the years ahead.
Led by Jac Mullen, writer, teacher, and former Executive Editor of The American Reader.
Classes on Thursdays, 6:45 - 9:15pm
Mar 13th - 27th
55 Washington St, Ste. 736, Dumbo
Our courses cost $250, with an Advanced rate for students with an income above 100k. We also offer a Discounted rate for students with constraining circumstances.
Additionally, we offer three tuition-waiver scholarships per course. To apply for a scholarship, click HERE.
Seminar participants are eligible for a refund as late as 24 hours before the start of the first seminar gathering. (Participants can also ask that their enrollment credit be transferred to another seminar or SoRA program of equal or lower cost.) Beyond this deadline, we do not offer refunds.