The words that you read on this website were inspired by a class that I took in graduate school ME378 with Dr. Barbara Karanian who is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Design; and the d.school. Her classes are incredibily unique.
It is labeled under the ME course code, which is quite obviously letting students know that this class can be taken for credit under the mechanical engineering department. This is always appealing to students, but my first encounter with Barbara was in ME310 where she came in and spoke about the power of storytelling. I do love myself a great story. The type of stories that make you dream and your mind wander in real time. I like to think that the best stories allow your mind to create its own story in parallel with the one being told right in front of you.
I took Barbara's class twice. Spring Quarter 2023 and once again the following Winter. I felt like there was a part of my story that needed to be told that was not finished. I also thoroughly enjoyed hearing about other peoples stories and how their stories could enrich my perspective on life. I almost selfishly took the class twice. It is a place to reflect and think about the pages of your book. The pages that have been creased, ink smudged, torn, the pages that deserved to be treated with grace. Just like most things in life -- you get to pick how your experience plays out in her class. You can dive in or walk along the river bank. You get to choose. I will be biased and tell you to jump in. There is no growth in comfort. But I understand if you are not ready for growth, I know that story all too well.
Most of the pieces that are on this website were pieces created while taking ME378. Some were class assignments and other were just random spikes of energy that flowed through the universe and made themselves to my mind.
There is creativity in all of us. It never needs to be perfect. Explore the subtext within your mind and you might be surprised at what lies within. I know I was.
p.s. Barbara coined the term "poetic fragility" all credit goes to her for the name of this site.
juan