Garrys 2nd Lecture

Introductory Remarks

  • Greeting: Good afternoon.

  • Content Overview: Recitation of two poems by Sylvia Plath: "Getting There" and "The Sydney Movement."

  • Connection to Previous Lecture: Discussion links back to last week's lecture on D.H. Lawrence's "The Rocking Horse Winner."

  • Primary Theme: Examination of the concept of the "algorithmic subject" as a placeholder in organizing our sense of being.

Historical Shifts in Sense of Being

Age of Faith

  • Focus: Organization of the self around the concept of the soul.

  • Soul: Defined as a divine spark, connected to a transcendent and incorruptible standard of goodness or virtue.

Age of Science

  • Shift: Transition from soul to self.

  • Self: Focal point of human identity; not necessarily in relation to divine judgment.

  • Mindfulness and Thinking: Human capability involves mindfulness, symbolic thinking, and critical thinking.

Dominant Discourse

  • Morality in the Age of Faith:

    • Definition: Morality tied to belief in transcendent judgment from a divine source.

    • Sin vs. Crime: A sin may not always be classified as a crime; however, most crimes could be seen as sinful actions.

    • Enforcement: Morality does not require legal enforcement; it's an absolute system impacting social behavior without necessarily adhering to laws.

Law vs. Morality

  • Law: Best effort to define crimes; struggles to determine morality on its own.

  • Historical Example:

    • Dred Scott Case: Supreme Court ruling before the Civil War excluded slaves from citizenship; was instrumental in exacerbating tensions leading to war.

  • Fallibility of Courts: Courts can make erroneous judgments; this doesn't imply evil, but highlights human fallibility.

Ethics and Social Relations

Ethical Interactions

  • Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; emphasizes social relations.

  • Grocery Store Incident:

    • Example: Ethical dilemmas arise in everyday life, e.g., someone cutting in line.

    • Social Context: Accepting someone’s rudeness due to an urgent personal crisis could shift ethical perceptions.

Algorithmic Subject

  • Capitalist Discourse: Current dominant discourse that shapes the algorithmic subject.

  • Reaction to External Forces: Algorithmic subjects are conditioned to respond to capitalist frameworks in a manner akin to religious subjects responding to divine sources.

Power vs. Force

  • Definitions:

    • Power: A capacity felt in social contexts (e.g., social pressure, GPA significance).

    • Force: Physical application (e.g., bullying), often lacking moral implications.

  • Transactions of Power: Power is granted by individuals; force can be imposed without consent.

Institutions as Power Structures

  • Definition: Institutions act as structures that govern social relations, such as churches, schools, and governments.

  • Examples: Ancient religions, scientific institutions, and modern educational frameworks.

  • Credentialing Systems: Educational institutions require credentials that reflect their hierarchical structure.

Literature, Critical Thinking, and Humanity

The Value of Literature

  • Human Experience: Literature and art seek to explore and understand the essence of being human.

  • Mortality as Arbiter of Value: Understanding mortality is crucial to appreciating human life.

The Impact of Algorithms

  • Historical Context: Early computers categorized information; IBM offered the first tools for significant data organization.

  • Punch Cards Example: The early representation of human data through machines shapes perceptions.

  • Concept of Water: David Foster Wallace’s metaphor highlighting the unseen social constructs shaping individuals.

Critical Thinking vs. Algorithmic Thought

  • Dangers of Algorithms: Algorithms curtail genuine critical thought by restricting information exposure.

  • Education Focus: Emphasizes training and understanding rather than test performance.

The Ratchet Effect

  • Definition: A phenomenon where increasing pressure becomes the new norm; returning to a previous state becomes impossible.

  • Impact on Grade Point Average (GPA): Higher GPAs increase expectations and anxiety (e.g., moving from 3.6 to 3.8).

Imposter Syndrome

  • Definition: The anxiety individuals feel when they believe they don’t measure up to their perceived status.

  • Collective Experience: This contemporary phenomenon affects many, indicating a larger cultural context of credentialism.

Capitalist Discourse and Social Relations

Erosion of Genuine Interactions

  • Trends in Communication: Online interactions are often curated, leading to echo chambers disconnected from authentic human experiences.

  • Capitalism’s Role: The capitalist drive towards efficiency and profit undermines deep social relations.

Waiting and Existential Reflection

Waiting as a Philosophical Concept

  • Discussion with Beckett's Work: Waiting is a key existential theme in "Waiting for Godot," paralleling modern impatience and distraction in daily life.

  • Comparison of Doing and Being: Emphasizes the need to understand one’s existence beyond mere productive outputs.

The Role of Distractions

  • Mobilization of Technology: The impact of distraction devices (like smartphones) on individuals waiting in social contexts. We now have a portable distraction device.

Educational Frameworks and the Purpose of Learning

Teaching Philosophy

  • Invitation to Engage: Midterm assessments are framed as invitations to demonstrate training rather than mere evaluations.

  • Extra Credit Activities: Designed to foster deeper engagement and critical thinking.

The Importance of Critical Inquiry

  • Disruption of Expectations: Challenges students to seek genuine understanding rather than compliance with standard algorithms of learning.

  • Reinforcement of Human Relations: This process reinforces the essential nature of human interactions in education.

Conclusion of Lecture Themes

Reflections on Human Experience

  • Roles of Contributors: The speaker's long-term observations in education and societal shifts are pertinent to understanding current discourses.

  • Cultural Critique: Recognition of the problematic aspects of human categorization in modern contexts highlights the need for awareness in navigating contemporary life.