As a philosophy major studying the ethical issues surrounding emerging technologies, TETRAH CLARK ’24 grew to appreciate the role that the humanities could play in helping people become better digital citizens.

“I think the humanities are more important than ever,” creating an academic rigor through which people can “think critically about the information and technologies they encounter,” says Clark, who is pursuing a master of library science degree from Indiana University and hopes to work for a “cyber library” or internet archive. “I think the humanities need people from all different backgrounds contributing to conversations going on within them.”

As a home-schooled student growing up in Massachusetts, Clark developed a passion for libraries, where she spent hours reading, studying, and writing.

Later at Clark, she took Philosophy Professor Arden Ali’s course, Technology, Ethics, and Public Policy, where she conducted research and submitted public comments solicited by governmental organizations like the Federal Communications Commission and the United Nations.

The assignments allowed her to tap into her love of libraries and further explore the role they can play in educating the public.

Story from Clark University Magazine, fall 2024

“Libraries are more important than ever because they provide access to learning and access to how to navigate learning,” Clark says. “But I don’t think the future of libraries is a return to physical assets like books and a card catalog.” Instead, she adds, “libraries are becoming a space to educate people on how to navigate the information presented to them, especially online and with technologies like generative AI.”

For her capstone research project, Clark further investigated the intersections between philosophy and technology by studying how people use memes to communicate. She presented her project, “What Do You Meme? The Philosophy of Language and Memes,” at ClarkFEST, the semiannual undergraduate research event.

When the printing press emerged during the 15th century, she explains, “our language changed, and we began to create new symbols to save space and to attribute new meaning to symbols and pictures.”

Today’s technology integrates not just text but more images, videos, and other visual assets. “Memes,” she says, “are the next way we’re communicating.”

“MEMES ARE THE NEXT WAY WE’RE COMMUNICATING.”

Much like her research projects, the field of library science and information sciences “perfectly encapsulates the interdisciplinary nature of the humanities,” Clark says, and will allow her to continue to explore deep philosophical questions.

“I consider myself a philosopher first and foremost,” she says, “and within that, I think about the philosophy of technology and the philosophy of information.” ▣