n t o F ri a r s

Mo n k s i
o n ve r t i n g
C
Sch
ola
rs
in
the
Di
git
al
Ag
e

K. A. Laity
Thanks, Dana
 Thanks to
The Department of American Studies
The Association of Graduate Students in English
The Carver Fund
The Department of English
The Freedman Fund
The Department of French and Italian
The Department of German
The Graduate College
International Writing Program
The Iowa Writers’ Workshop
The Project on Rhetoric of Inquiry
University of Iowa Student Government
This event was made possible in part by ECGPS
Lucky Jim
However,
after…
Kurt Vonnegut
Wear Sunscreen
Amity, as you know, means "friendship".
Authority & Authenticity
Ellesmere
Manuscript

15th Century
©Peter
Steiner
Ellesmere Manuscript

15th Century
Hunt of the Unicorn
Annunciation
(ca. 1500)

Credit: Joseph
Zahavi/Morgan
Library
—but I’m ready.
MS Cotton
Vitellius A.xv
 +

=
Tolkien was a
medievalist.

I’m not a fan…

…but I like the films.
The Pricke of Conscience
Not as racy as it sounds
Not this kind…
 Þæs ofereode,
þisses swa mæg.
Want to hear them now?
If it’s any comfort,
my Latin is weak.
These do.
How’s that working out?
 Sturgeon’s Law (or Revelation)*

_________________________________________________________________
Not Crap 10% | Crap 90% 

*applies to everything, not just fish

 H2O
You knew, right?
Did I mention how
many languages I had
to master for my PhD?
My references are in the notes
to each slide.
This presentation will be available
online soon.
Benjamin was right
Language is a living
thing: we adapt.
Stop mithering!
 From tree to tree, from you to me,
Traveling twice as fast as on any
freeway,
Every single dream wrapped up in the
scheme,
They all get carried on the relay.

—Lyrics by Pete Townshend

⌘ Digital media is pervasive

⌘ Digital interactions are here to stay

⌘ We don't know what all this means

Cat trolls?
“Whatever talent I have for writing lies in
being friends with my head.”