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Are we Living in an Age of Distraction? - Graduate Student Conference

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Finishes:
Venue: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre

No booking required

Graduate Student Conference
Organized by Birkbeck Institute of Humanities, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research and Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality

Keynote Speakers: Professor Carolin Duttlinger, University of Oxford. Dr. Sophie Jones, Birkbeck.

This conference explores distraction and all its meanings and implications. Distraction is commonly thought of as a growing concern or even a sickness of modern society and digital culture. From mindless scrolling to heavy consumerism, the pursuit for entertainment and satisfaction is insatiable, leaving us vulnerable to ruling corporations. Does our lack of control transform us into a conformed mass that is susceptible to tabloid media and the rise of populism? On the other hand, distraction is not necessarily steeped in negativity. In fact, it has had a long and fascinating history. Its German equivalent, 'Zerstreuung', comes from the idea of dispersion. At the start of the twentieth-century, Walter Benjamin defined the term as 'floating attention', where experience is caused by chance rather than concentration. Does lack of focus in fact allow a sense of freedom and inspiration?

Age of Distraction is a chance for an enriching discussion between MA, PhD students and early career researchers from all disciplines.

Topics to include:

  • History of distraction
  • Distraction and its oppositions
  • Distraction and/in education
  • Distraction and madness
  • Modes of extremism: online or in reality?
  • Democracy, populism, and online social networking
  • Freedom of speech v. government and/or regulatory control
  • Misinformation and fake news
  • Dystopia/ an Orwellian society
  • Distraction and creativity
  • Escapism, dream and day-dream
  • Feigned ignorance or 'Turning a blind eye'
  • Emotional responses
  • Procrastination, boredom and solitude
  • Wandering and 'killing time'
  • Inspiration, chance and serendipity

Contact name:

Contact phone: 2076316617