So I already told you about how much I <3 Jonathan Kozol, and how much fun HOK was having at SCUP, but I didn’t get a chance to tell you about the closing plenary presentation: Mediated Culture and the Future of the University.

I was ready to start my vacation a few hours early, but the description was intriguing enough for me to hang in for one last session (well, the idea of brunch helped, too!).  I was thrilled that I did stay because this was another fascinating and inspirational presentation.

Michael Wesch is an Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University.  He’s a young guy (definitely in my generation) who’s had tremendous experiences as part of his doctoral research (spending years doing fieldwork in Papua New Guinea), and has been studying the impact of media on society and culture (and using his students as guinea pigs and researchers all at the same time).

During his presentation he talked about how media is changing culture, ‘mediating’ conversations.  This ranged from the way a census in Papua New Guinea changed the way people name themselves and organize their homes and communities, to how blogs allow us the freedom to comment and say pretty much whatever we want, without fear!

His presentation was punctuated by numerous video clips, including a digital history of “whatever” ranging from Bart & Lisa Simpson introducing “meh, M-E-H, meh!” to Eric Cartman’s declaration “Whateva, I do what I want! … Whatevaaaaa!”

He truly engaged the audience, from those few of us Gen-Y to the SCUP-tegenerians.  I can’t even begin to do him justice, and was so engaged that I failed to take notes.  So, instead of trying to tell you what he said, I encourage you to check out his work yourself:

Watch one of his presentations on YouTube:

Or, if you’re not allowed to stream at work (gasp!), check out some digital print on his work (videos included here, too):

• His Digital Ethnography website at KState
• KState list of Michael Wesch info
• Rave award from Wired Magazine
• Interview on Searchblog

Definitely go hear this guy out if you have the opportunity!