Cultural Futures: Pitt-Greensburg Symposium Showcases the Impact of Digital Studies

Pitt-Greensburg hosted its first annual Digital Studies Symposium entitled “Cultural Futures” on Jan. 21, featuring

guest speaker Dan Sinykin, assistant professor of English at Emory University.

Sinykin explained how the future of human culture is impacted by politics, artificial intelligence, and social media. He explained that conglomerates in publishing control the art that gets published. This, along with widespread AI, makes it harder for people to get their innovative ideas seen by the masses. 

But change, Sinykin said, is possible.

“They have money and power,” Sinykin said. “We have each other and that makes us stronger.”

Large publishers will only publish literature that will make them money, so writers can not write what they want if it will not produce a profit. Many non-profit publishers, such as Graywolf Press and Transit Books, are giving the power back to the writers. 

Sinykin explained that people must continue to create and respect what others have created in order to create change in human culture.

Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Center for Digital Studies Sean DiLeonardi said, “Creating things is better than destroying things. If we keep creating, we can resist some of the tide of destruction.”

According to DiLeonardi, many people feel helpless as AI takes over their social media feeds and the news constantly shows tragedy. People feel alone when they are isolated in their own filter bubble. That is why having events like this symposium is vital, DiLeonardi said. This symposium and events like it are a way to connect with others who care about the future of human culture and want to enact change.

“That feeling of helplessness is only because we are meant to feel like we exist in isolation,” DiLeonardi said.

Some students decided that they wanted to get involved in sharing and preserving local literature.

Senior Creative and Professional Writing majors Ali Brown and Shannon Grace presented their project for the new Pitt-Greensburg podcast, “Route 30: Stories from Westmoreland County,” at the symposium. The official launch party of their podcast episode, “Get Lit Westmoreland,” will be announced this semester.

The students wanted to uncover local literature, so they spoke with many local writers.

“I enjoyed interviewing Claire Ertl,” Grace said. “She works at the Westmoreland Museum of Art, and I got to interview her about the museum’s Poetry Bridge. I also got a sneak peek of their winter immersive experience.”

Grace and Brown dedicated a lot of time to the project.

“It was hard to schedule the interviews, but it was so rewarding. I talked to a poet, Joy Katz, who is very accomplished, and she gave me wonderful answers,” Brown said.

The podcast is sponsored by the Center for Digital Studies and supported by an Innovation in Education Grant. DiLeonardi asked the students to present at the symposium to demonstrate how digital studies can be used to shape culture in the digital age.

Brown said, “The concepts we are learning are beneficial for incorporating what we love about art and writing into the digital age.”

DiLeonardi is part of the Pitt-Greensburg Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (PURCS). This symposium will be held on April 9 and is a great way for students to get involved and showcase their work. 

“PURCS has become a crucial event on our campus that really shows students just how important their work can be,” DiLeonardi said.

Sinykin and DiLeonardi believe that change is possible if we create, consume, and respect art.

“Study books. Make books. Make art,” Sinykin said. “Take care of the books and art others have made.” 

If you have questions about PURCS or the Digital Studies certificate, you can reach DiLeonardi by email at sdileonardi@pitt.edu.