Shifting Content to Different Containers

1. After having viewed Module 2: Lecture 2, Read Kenneth Goldsmith's "Being Boring" (2004) http://writing(dot)upenn(dot)edu/library/Goldsmith-Kenny_Being-Boring.html (Link to external website

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In Kenneth Goldsmith's "Being Boring," he claims that "the simple act of moving information from one place to another today constitutes a significant cultural act in and of itself. [He thinks] it's fair to say that most of us spend hours each day shifting content into different containers."



Having read "Being Boring" and reviewed Module 2: Lecture 2, write an essay in which you:



Identify and discuss instances in your own life in which you are engaging in this "shifting of content into different containers." (Hint: memes, reposts, retweets, etc.)

Answer the question: Would you claim that this shifting of content that millions of people engage in (therefore occurring at a massive scale across the world) "constitutes a significant cultural act in and of itself" or is an "unboring boring" task or both? Why? Provide a definition of "unboring boring" in your answer.





You may use additional sources to support your essay. Be careful to not simply reiterate Goldsmith's writing. If using quotes from Goldsmith, be sure to include in-text citations and the appropriate citation in your Works Cited page. Be sure not too rely too heavily on quoting Goldsmith's writing. Your essay should provide a thoughtful reflection of and response to questions outlined above.



It is required that you review the Student Sample Paper and Writing Guidelines to assist you in formatting and writing all essays.

Technical Requirements:

Your response to this assignment must contain between 500 - 700 words to receive top marks with a maximum of 700 words in length (not including bibliography).



Your response must be conceptually polished and fully edited when submitted as a finished product.



Your response must be submitted to its assigned CANVAS assignment box by the due date and time assigned for this assignment.



All research sources used must be fully and accurately documented using the citation standards of the Modern Language Association (MLA). See Writing Guidelines and Student Sample Paper for more information.



Your response must be formatted in a readable typeface (e. g., Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica) and saved as a DOC/DOCX (Microsoft word) file. No other file formats will be accepted for evaluation. Double-spaced, 12 pt. font size, 1-inch margins on all sides, and only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.



Provide a title for all written assignments for modules 1-6 and for the final paper.

When submitting your response to the CANVAS assignment box, please label your file "FIRST NAME LAST NAME ASSIGNMENT #". For example, "Sidney Mullis Assignment 2".



Successful participation in this module exercise will demonstrate the student's ability to:

Identify and analyze this text and recorded lecture, providing an understanding of contemporary art themes, practices, artworks and art terminology.



Identify and analyze this text and recorded lecture, providing an understanding of social and political events that implicate contemporary culture.



Define, apply, and convey his / her understandings of and opinions about contemporary art in discipline-specific written conventions.