Program Description

The Observing Self: How living in our highly mediated culture can lead to increased self-consciousness and isolation, and what to do about it.

“Why do I have 600 Facebook friends yet feel so alone?”

From a lead column in the New York Times Magazine lamenting the “Twitterati’s unnatural self-consciousness” and their blurred “lines between the authentic and contrived self,” to the existential loneliness depicted by many celebrated modern novelists (Jonathan Franzen, the late David Foster Wallace, etc.) to recent sociological studies, it’s more and more evident that we are leading increasingly isolated lives, even though we are more technologically connected than ever. Zweig’s powerful multi-media presentation explores this paradox and offers launching points for ways to combat the alienating nature of our mediated culture while still living within the mainstream, or even the vanguard, of our technologically-dependent world.

“I love my iPhone, but the best way to enjoy it is to know when to turn it off.”

Through an interdisciplinary approach, Zweig examines how, today, we are living in an “observational reality” rather than the historically dominant “experiential reality.” For the first time in history people are spending more hours of their day immersed in Fiction (television, movies, the internet, social media, ubiquitous advertising, even the news) than living “in the moment” (i.e. engaged directly with others or the environment). A 2009 study showed that American teenagers are spending nearly eleven hours a day immersed in media. This is a fundamental change in how humans have lived for all of history. And, living this highly mediated life — which, for many of us, means being immersed in Fiction for the majority of our waking hours — inevitably alters the way one perceives oneself and reality itself.

Zweig addresses how our minds work differently when we are observing media (yes, even interactive media like the web) than when we are engaged directly with each other or our environment, and how this can lead to an altered sense of self — the most extreme version of which is depersonalization, a dissociative disorder where one literally views oneself from afar, as if in a movie or a dream.

Rigorously researched and academically lauded, Zweig’s theory, Fiction Depersonalization Syndrome (and its broader hypothesis The Observing Self), has exploded within the academic community since it was introduced as the thoughts of the protagonist in his 2009 novel, Swimming Inside the Sun. Zweig has been invited to lecture about his hypothesis at numerous prestigious scholarly meetings, including the Media Ecology Association’s annual convention at the University of Maine, the Junge Philosophie Conference at the Technische Universität Darmstadt in Darmstadt, Germany, and the Institute of General Semantics annual symposium at Fordham University in New York City. The hypothesis has gained the international support of renowned academics from a variety of fields, including neuroscientists, communications theorists, psychologists, philosophers, and anthropologists. It has been referenced in multiple scholarly papers and PhD dissertations. Lastly, Fiction Depersonalization Syndrome has been added to the curricula at several universities for classes starting fall 2010.

Bio

David Zweig is the author of the acclaimed novel, Swimming Inside the Sun, called a “terrific debut from a talented writer” by Kirkus Reviews.  Heralded as a “symphonic pop prodigy,” Zweig has released two critically praised record albums, All Now With Wings and Keep Going, both charting in the Top 50 on college radio.  He is currently developing a book and documentary centered on his groundbreaking philosophical hypothesis Fiction Depersonalization Syndrome.

Program Description

In her lectures, Kayla not only discusses her experiences negotiating the changing demands on today’s military, but she addresses the changing role of women in society.  She expounds on the notion that as society changes, the military must necessarily change along with it – but, as we’ve seen with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military is often slow to accept and reflect the evolving views of society.  And, unfortunately, many of the issues that women face in the military are not exclusive to the military or to war.

In her role as an interpreter, Kayla was able to garner a deeper understanding of the Iraqi culture, and reinforce her view that it is crucial to the health of our society to embrace diversity and uphold the doctrines of basic human rights.  Kayla is able to help audiences better understand that their own challenges, navigating a society with ingrained gender roles and cultural preconceptions, are equally valid.

Kayla’s experiences in Iraq, and her struggle to reintegrate into civilian society upon her return home, enable her to relate to many different types of audiences.  She vividly describes the sometimes harrowing and heartrending challenges of being both a soldier/veteran and a wife, and how difficult it is sometimes to reconcile the two roles – this audio interview at NotAlone.com is a lucid encapsulation of Kayla’s experience.  Also, she is able to relay a first-hand perspective on the questionable treatment of Iraqi prisoners (she witnessed soldiers cross the line between interrogation and torture), the stress of combat, and the effects of physical injury and PTSD — her husband (also a veteran) suffered a serious brain injury sustained in combat.

One of Kayla’s overarching messages is that we MUST take care of our veterans.  We all have a role in the war effort, regardless of personal politics, and it is crucial that our returning soldiers get what they need in order to become contributing members of civilian society once again.  She recently addressed United States House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on this issue.  Her remarks, entitled “The Growing Needs of Women Veterans: Is the VA Ready?” can be found here.

Bio

Kayla is a member of the Board of Directors of Grace After Fire, a senior adviser of VoteVets.org and she regularly blogs at The Huffington Post and VetVoice.com.  She has appeared on numerous media outlets including CNN, Fox, NPR and HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and elsewhere, to discuss the challenges faced by women serving in the armed forces and the additional challenges they face re-adjusting to civilian life as veterans.  She recently earned a Masters degree in International Affairs with a focus on the Middle East from American University, and continues to work on issues related to U.S. policy and the treatment of veterans.

Brandon is, himself, a prime example of how the romanticism and sterilization of war and combat stand in stark contrast to the realities of service and the difficult transition of re-integrating into the “real world.” Brandon has found his voice in print, on TV and on the web, and he continues to use all means at his disposal to help veterans find their own voices, and to speak on their behalf.

Program Descriptions

Leading under Fire: Lessons from Afghanistan and Iraq

As an infantry officer in the Army’s elite 101st Airborne Division, Brandon Friedman successfully led platoons in combat against hardened al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and against shadowy insurgents over long months in Iraq.  The lessons he learned on those battlefields are just as valuable in today’s classrooms and boardrooms.  Friedman draws on his experience to explore the nuances of leadership, team cohesion and focus, the reactions of stressed people in stressful situations, and the relationship between caring for your people and completing the mission.

The War I Always Wanted: The Illusion of Glory and the Reality of War

Obsessed with war movies as a kid growing up, Brandon Friedman always envisioned being a hero one day.  But 15 years later, as a young lieutenant in the Army’s famed 101st Airborne Division, he learned that real, in-your-face war was far more physically brutal and emotionally crushing than anything he’d seen on the big screen.  From the mountains of Afghanistan shortly after 9/11 to the bloody streets of Iraq, Friedman transformed from a gung-ho, eager college kid, to a somber realist who’s seen both the best and worst of humanity throughout the Middle East.  Captured originally in his memoir, he now relates his war stories from both fronts-and his personal metamorphosis-to audiences.

Combat PTSD: The Long Road Home

Brandon Friedman led soldiers on numerous combat missions throughout Afghanistan and Iraq-from the chaotic Shah-e-Kot Valley to the bloody streets and alleyways of Baghdad and Tal Afar.  When it was all over, the Army sent him home with two Bronze Stars, plenty of good war stories, and a disconcerting case of post-traumatic stress disorder.  While most returning vets are reluctant to describe in detail what the aftereffects of combat are like, Friedman is brutally frank in the way he explains how war changes a person both inside and out.  From the nightmares and insomnia to the mood swings and emotional numbness, Friedman tells how PTSD is a treatable combat injury like any other.

Blogging: How New Media is Changing Old Politics

As a writer who accidentally stumbled upon political blogs before the 2004 presidential election, Brandon Friedman has become a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post and Daily Kos-the largest blogs in America.  As a political professional, he’s also the Editor of VetVoice-a blog that walks the often-awkward line between the military and politics.  Along the way, he’s learned how old media is giving way to new media, why that’s a good thing, and how individuals and organizations can involve themselves in the process with little or no experience.

Bio

Brandon served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Iraq.  In March 2002, he led a rifle platoon into Afghanistan’s Shah-e-Kot Valley in order to engage Taliban and al Qaeda fighters as part of Operation Anaconda-a battle later written about by award-winning journalist Sean Naylor in Not a Good Day to Die. A year later, Brandon commanded a heavy weapons platoon during the invasion of Iraq.  He led troops during combat operations in Hillah, Baghdad, and Tal Afar.  Brandon eventually left active duty in 2004, after having spent the latter half of his Iraq tour as an executive officer in the northern part of the country as the insurgency intensified.  He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Brandon has been interviewed by ABC News, the Associated Press, McClatchy, Bloomberg, the UK’s Press Association, Guardian, and Daily Telegraph, the Dallas Morning News, the Military Times, and other news organizations.  He has also appeared on ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and C-SPAN, as well as on numerous radio stations across the country.  Brandon’s writing has been featured on a wide range of new media outlets to include the UK’s Guardian Unlimited, The Huffington Post, Daily Kos, and, most recently, as the Editor of VetVoice-a blog on politics and the military.

Brandon holds a B.A. in History from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and an M.P.A. in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.  He is currently a Captain in the Individual Ready Reserve.