Intellect, Ignorance and Influence in the Digital Age"

When: Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ward 1, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Guests: Susan Jacoby, author of The Age of American Unreason; Professor Kathryn Montgomery, author of Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet; Andy Carvin, senior strategist for online communities at National Public Radio; Joshua Hatch, multimedia producer, USA Today.
Moderator: Dr. Danna Walker, James B. Simpson Fellow, American University School of Communication

Note: authors’ books will be available for sale.

They call it the dumbing of America -- a cultural shift in which forces driven by digital media are distracting us, alienating us and contributing to “junk thought.” More than 40 percent of young Americans report not reading a single book last year, and a popular television show has discovered that not all adults are "smarter than a 5th grader." Others say we’re entering a new age of enlightenment in which all are part of the conversation and important ideas are growing exponentially. Expect a lively discussion from panelists Susan Jacoby, author of The Age of American Unreason; Professor Kathryn Montgomery, author of Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet; Andy Carvin, senior strategist for online communities at National Public Radio; and Joshua Hatch, multimedia producer, USA Today.

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For more information, contact the School of Communication at 202-885-2074 or go to www/soc.american.edu
 
An American Forum is sponsored by Laird B. Anderson and Florence H. Ashby
 
An American Forum is produced in cooperation with WAMU 88.5 FM