Image: Zsolt Botykai
Whoever said the internet is a waste of time obviously didn’t know what they were talking about—as if to counter this statement, the University of Pennsylvania has introduced an actual course titled ‘Wasting time on the Internet’.
To be offered next semester, the course will consist of randomly surfing the internet for three hours every Wednesday afternoon, according to Motherboard.
It will be taught by professor and poet Kenneth Goldsmith, who says that its aim is “to wrench an artistic product out of that state of distraction that’s naturally created by talking on the phone with someone and surfing the internet at the same time, or by watching a video and chatting.”
Electronic distractions are highly encouraged, as he believes they aid in nurturing imagination and thus spur students to be more creative.
There is a method to the seeming madness however. In the midst of all this time wasting, students are required to channel their browsing into a “compelling and emotional work of literature.”
Citing 20th century artists who devoted time and energy towards achieving subconsciousness as inspiration for new works, he argues that multi-tasking and gadgets are the modern-day equivalent of surrealism, allowing for the concentration necessary to create something great.
Goldsmith added that he wants to erase the guilt of constantly being told that spending time on the internet is bad. “I think it’s complete bullsh*t that the internet is making us dumber. I think the internet is making us smarter.”
Of course, slacking online is something that most of us already do, and intended purpose aside, the course sounds like an easy way to obtain college credit.
What do you think of this unusual course—would you enroll in it?
[via Konbini and Motherboard, image via Imgembed]