Crossroads, Paris: Missed Opportunities

What should one do in an academic conference when no one on the podim wants to or is able communicate and everyone in the audience whispers discontent amongst themselves but nonetheless pretends that knowledge is being transmitted and worthwhile conversations are happening? I found myself in this dilemma on day one of the Crossroads conference. It's one of my favourite conferences because it always takes place in an interesting city (often truly a "crossroads" city like Istanbul and Hong Kong) and cultural studies remains one of the most interdisciplinary, socially engaged, and genuinely creative academic fields. Yet, lecture after lecture, from gifted intellectuals many of whom are giants in the field, very little efforts were made to engage the audience, let alone inspire, move, or just surprise them! In some cases, there was not even a transmission of ideas or information, either because of an incomprehensible accent, poor room acoustics, or just an inability to speak at a speed or in a manner attuned to the ear, not the eye. In many cases, it's sadly a combination of all three. Having given lectures to large groups, I understand how much effort it takes to truly try to communicate. It's often tempting to just read out a piece of writing that's there already, heading for publication, admittedly the "true" destination of the work. Yet, in a conference, one is given an opportunity to connect with people who might never read your work, whose only potential contact with one's ideas is just this moment, in the auditorium. When gifted with such a precious opportunity, an invitation from an audience to reach out, to enthrall, to persuade ... why do most academics, especially those who are most accomplished, choose to ignore?

 

 

Posted with Blogsy