The document discusses the role of English studies in the knowledge economy. It argues that English studies should: 1) Help turn information into knowledge by imparting critical thinking and production strategies. 2) Address literacy divides by intervening in technological and economic factors that exacerbate inequities. 3) Explore the human need for social interaction and develop students' capacity for interaction. 4) Facilitate cross-cultural understanding by going beyond the classroom. The document suggests English studies can achieve these goals by directly creating and combining information systems, becoming agents of technological change, and promoting social support in our societies.

1. What is the Role of English Studies in the Knowledge Economy? MCEA 2006 Bill Hart-Davidson Michigan State University [email_address] www.wide.msu.edu

6. Reclaiming Innovation Value, in a knowledge economy, comes from an ability to foster what Zuboff & Maxmin have called “deep support.” Empathy, Ethics, Eloquence …in this model become economic fundamentals alongside Efficiency, Exchange Value…

7. Deep Support “ Deep support enables psychological self-determination. It produces time for life. It facilitates and enhances the experience of being the origin of one's life. It recognizes, responds to, and promotes individuality. It celebrates intricacy. It multiplies choice and enhances flexibility. It encourages voice and is guided by voice. Deep support listens and offers connection. It offers collaborative relationship defined by advocacy. It is founded on trust, reciprocity, authenticity, intimacy, and absolute reliability.” Zuboff & Maxmin, The Support Economy

8. Invention & Innovation Premise: Winners in a Knowledge Economy develop “Deep Support.” Example: Threadless (SkinnyCorp)

11. Texts, Reading & Writing What constitutes “competence” and the “opportunity to express competence” for a system like Tivo? Tivo textualizes everyday, mundane action… Does it free us from TV? What does it free us to do?

12. Who Can Read? Write? As more and more of our lives are lived in networked spaces, the “actions” of life are increasingly textualized. We then can act on these texts…changing our lives and the lives of others. In theory…

13. What if… We could tell our own stories? http://grassroots.wide.msu.edu

14. Foregrounding Social Interaction Cameraphone + Flickr.com Suddenly, Bill is a better son-in-law! Information Technologies are used to achieve social goals. We rely on them not for “computing tasks,” - these are far below our level of consciousness most of the time. We rely on them to help us communicate, but we don’t stop there.

16. Connect It’s not about selling books, it’s about being a good father.

17. What if… We had a way to see the connections our texts helped us, and others, to make?

18. Going Global Manuel Castells, The Rise of the Network Society “ A global economy is something different: it is an economy with the capacity to work as a unit in real time on a planetary scale.” “… we are not living in a global villiage, but in customized cottages globally produced and locally distributed.” Hands Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainspiration/131080695/ Cottage Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartyeates/59767046/

19. The Long Tail “ The phrase The Long Tail , as a proper noun, was first coined by Chris Anderson. Anderson argued that products that are in low demand or have low sales volume can collectively make up a market share that rivals or exceeds the relatively few current bestsellers and blockbusters, if the store or distribution channel is large enough.” Image: http://www.thelongtail.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Tail

20. What if… A whole world of information could be put to use locally, on demand? gurulib.com uses catalogue info from Amazon.com & 500+ public libraries to help you organize your home book collection antennasearch.com shows you where cell phone reception towers and antennae are…and are not…

21. Can you hear me now?

24. Thank You! MCEA 2006 Bill Hart-Davidson Michigan State University [email_address] www.wide.msu.edu