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‘Loaded’ Forum To ‘Play’ With Novel’s Themes

Nov. 7, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

 

From gaming to trolling and from language to the way we share information Sam Houston State University will be “ready” to discuss all of the thematic intricacies of the Ernest Cline novel during the Bearkats Read to Succeed Author’s Forum Nov. 11-13.

The event will include four sessions that explore various themes of Cline’s “Ready Player One”—this year’s common reader selection—as well as an art exhibit, a keynote address featuring the author, himself, and a meet-and-greet with Cline.

On Tuesday (Nov. 11) Andy Bennett, director for SHSU’s Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics, will examine “The Tradeoff Between Anonymity and Accountability,” from 3-4 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.

Ernest Cline (above) will visit campus next week (with his Delorean) to discuss his book "Ready Player One." —Above photo from Readyplayerone.com

His presentation will explore the real-world consequences of online behavior in everyday life and how we, as a society, must decide about growing concerns between online anonymity and free speech versus social responsibility.

That evening, art department chair Michael Henderson will announce the winners of this year’s “Ready Player One” Juried Art Show at 5 p.m. in the LSC Art Gallery.

Attendees can view the various novel-inspired artworks created by students in the media of paint, sculpture, sketches, digital art, and photography, before the LSC-sponsored prizes are announced for “Best in Show,” second place and honorable mention.

Wednesday (Nov. 12) could be considered “Ernest Cline Day at SHSU,” as Cline comes to campus for a series of events that will allow students to meet him, take pictures with his DeLorean and chat about the book.

The first even, a meet-and-greet, will begin at 10 a.m. in the LSC Mall Area. Cline’s 80s-inspired DeLorean will be parked in the mall, and students will have the opportunity to snap a selfie with Cline and the car.

At 1 p.m., Cline will move to the LSC Gallery to view the prize-winning and other book-inspired art, while also chatting with students.

At 3 p.m., Cline will give his keynote address at 3 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom, during which he will discuss the novel, the movie adaptation of the book that is being created by Warner Bros., and his newest novel, the rights to which Universal Pictures have already purchased.

A New York Times bestseller, “Ready Player One” is the tale of a penniless teenager’s journey through cyberspace to find hidden treasures and save the world from an evil corporation. Following his discussion, Cline will sign copies of the book.

On Thursday (Nov. 13), the author’s forum will wrap up with a series of presentations, beginning at 9:30 a.m., when Andrey Koptelov, assistant professor in the College of Education’s department of curriculum and instruction, will discuss “Playing Games, Making Games, Learning Through Games” in the LSC Kat Klub.

Koptelov’s presentation will focus on finding the best and the most exciting ways for students to become engaged in research and exploration during the process of designing and developing computer games for instruction.

Participants also will be able to discuss the idea of developing computer games for education and learn to create a game.

At 11 a.m., SHSU alumnus Dan Phillips will present “Close Your Eyes, Touch Your Nose: A Vaccine for Cultural Viruses” in the LSC Theater.

Phillips, founder of The Phoenix Commotion, will engage students in the idea that viruses that infect our computers pale compared to the viruses borne by our symbol systems.

“Language carries colossal cultural baggage in the form of mindsets that are as insidious as the worst of the malware sneaking onto our hard-drives,” he has said.

Through his photo presentation, Phillips will explore how these mindsets impact the building industry, as well as our food, clothing, resource consumption, and belief systems.

Finally, at 2 p.m., Global Center for Journalism and Democracy executive director Kelli Arena will address “One: Expanding Your Virtual Vision. Let's Welcome the Fab Five!” in the LSC Theater.

Arena’s address will emphasize “good, old-fashioned human interaction,” its importance, the evolution of communication, and how to make the most of it.

“No matter who you are dealing with, body language and other signals can often provide a wealth of information that you simply can't find online,” she has said.

For more information on any of these events, contact the Student Success Initiatives Office at 936.294.2232 or fye@shsu.edu.

 

 

 

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