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Mission
Each of us experiences the world as a being who is self-aware, reflective, connected with others and unique — as a self. What is this fundamental unit in the experience of being human? Where does it come from? How do insights from a range of disciplines contribute to the idea of a self? Self Cluster seminars and co-curricular events will engage these and other questions as we explore the theme of "The Well-Curated Life."

We see it all around us: social media "influencers" craft that perfectly manicured image of one's "best life." But, even the most private persons struggle with the relationship between a complex, often contradictory interior life — a life in a constant process of finding meaning, connection and individuality — and an identity that one presents to the world. Especially in the age of social media, that public self can, very often, fall beyond our control. "Curation" implies making a deliberate decision to bring something of value to the forefront. While our conversations will explore the social forces that shape and complicate self curation, we will also examine the challenges and responsibilities of representing the experiences and lives of others. Self Cluster seminars will bring perspectives from the visual and performing arts, literature, language, history, psychology, economics, accounting and sociology into our conversations.

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