Tech Takes: A Student Perspective Series on Technology & Society
Perhaps no group is more affected by -- and has more opportunity to shape -- emerging technology than college students. Technology such as AI can be awe-inspiring, terrifying, underwhelming, and really annoying -- sometimes all at once. We want to hear about your experiences, your perspectives, your hopes, and your concerns.
The Block Center for Technology & Society invites CMU students to take part in Tech Takes. Each month, the Center posts a new prompt about a current issue in technology and society. Students can respond with a short written reflection, and some months, with original visual art.
Winning responses will be selected by a committee, which will prioritize distinctive and well-articulated perspectives that engage the prompt in a compelling and thoughtful manner. A selection of winning student responses will be published in the PRoB under the submitter's byline.
How it works
- Prompts are posted on the first Thursday of each month.
- Submissions are due on the last day of the month at 11:59 PM.
- Selection: A committee reviews all submissions. It looks for distinctive, well-made work that engages the prompt in a compelling and thoughtful way.
- Publication: Selected work is published with attribution on Block Center channels, which reach a broad audience interested in technology’s role in society. It is also published in the Pittsburgh Review of Books (PRoB) under the creator’s name.
- Prizes: Each month, one written reflection is named the “Block Center Student Perspective of the Month” and receives a $250 prize. When a Call for Art is open, one artwork also receives a $250 prize. Prizes are considered taxable income.
If you have any questions about the Student Perspective Series, please reach out to Cole Gessner (coleg@andrew.cmu.edu).
This Month’s Prompt: Social Media and the World
How would your life be different if social media didn’t exist?
Tell us how social media has affected your life, for better or for worse. Respond in writing, through visual art, or both.
Submissions are due November 30 at 11:59 PM.
Written Submission
Submit a response to the question in 250 words or fewer.
Visual Art Submission
We’re looking for visual art in any medium about our personal and shared relationship with social media and the internet. You might explore its effects on mental health, relationships, politics, body image, or the information we take in. What does it feel like, and what does it mean, to live in a world shaped by social media? How might the world look, feel, or behave without it? You can explore these themes or others related to social media and the world.
Please include:
- A high-quality scan or photo of the work [e.g., JPG or PNG]
- Title
- Dimensions and medium
- A brief artist statement (100 words or fewer)
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the use of AI is not permitted.
Yes, all CMU students are welcome to participate, including undergraduates, graduates, and PhD candidates! Please note you must be an actively enrolled student at Carnegie Mellon University to participate.
International students are encouraged to check in with CMU's Office of International Education if they have questions regarding their participation in this program.
You are limited to one written submission per month. If you submit more than one, the team will only consider your first submission.
During months where there is an visual art submission, you can submit one written submission and one visual art submission.