Technology and Culture Between Stagnation or Progress

Examination of relations between technology and culture through a series of conversations with Peter Thiel, concerning the conditions and limits of progress. How does creativity happen? What gets in the way of change? Discussions of innovation with reference to cultural theory and in light of contemporary developments, through readings by authors such as Leo Strauss, Oswald Spengler, Carl Schmitt, Ernst Jünger, Hannah Arendt as well as Ross Douthat, Joan Didion, and Christopher Caldwell. Taught in English. NOTE: To be considered for enrollment in this course, please complete and submit this short application by August 23, 2021 at 11:59pm PST. Students accepted to participate in this course will be notified on August 30, 2021 by 6:00pm. Auditors are not permitted. Link to application: https://forms.gle/Z9A4uWqyNMe7ixdY6