The metaphor of the sun as a source of illumination through Plato's cave allegory has been crucial to my Arts education at UBC. Plato's allegory of the cave illuminated my relationship with learning and knowledge. The evolution of technology from fire to computers has changed the way our minds become illuminated from the unknown. The Internet has transformed the way knowledge is shared. From books to images of books on the Internet, from linear pages to networks of hyperlinks, from classrooms to cyberspace, from class discussions to social media discussions, from a text-based version of Plato's cave allegory to a multimedia version, computers have become my portal to knowledge, or the light, even when I am inside the cave, or in the comfort of my own home. I no longer need to physically be at UBC to ascend from the cave. All I need to do is log on to my Campus Wide Log-on from my computer to access a wealth of knowledge. The light from my computer illuminates me and provides opportunity for growth and nurture much like the sun. Throughout my Arts education, the material I learn is often shocking at first, but eventually I learn to appreciate being freed from illusions and blessed by epiphanies. Through the computer screen, I am able to learn, share and reflect on my learning so I am able to apply my knowledge when I descend back to the cave, or graduate from UBC.
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Shot on a Canon Rebel T2i and edited with FCP 7 and Factory FX Pro. Special thanks to Vania Chan and K-Rec.