Jian Ghomeshi speaks at Mount Allison (President's Speaker's Series: Year of Culture and Creativity Speech: Pop Culture for Social Change)

In case you missed it, Jian Ghomeshi, voice of Radio Q, delivered the Josiah Wood Lecture as part of the President's Speakers Series on Culture and Creativity on November 19th entitled "Pop Culture for Social Change". Unfortunately there seems to have been little coverage outside of the Mt. A announcement, a snippet in the Times and Transcript (on page C2 under the heading Riverview Canadian Tire opens tomorrow), and an article in the Argosy dead-tree edition but not online (the website, argosy.ca, as I've mentioned, has been mangled beyond all recognition and hasn't been updated since May, although their twitter account is active...).

It was a really interesting talk touching on different themes including how pop culture isn't necessarily shallow and meaningless but can be a way starting point for people to connect. He mentioned about how Twitter aided the almost Green Revolution in Iran. His main focus seemed was on the distinction between high and low culture and how there ought not to be one and how his more-than-radio show Q has a variety of guests and how that the popularity of the show demonstrates then when 'high' culture is communicated effectively, without artificial barriers, it can become popular.

I know there were some people recording the event but there's nothing posted online yet. Something like the President's Speakers Series would be something good to have a record of besides simply speaker, date, and time.

Below is the press release and poster.

Award-winning CBC Personality Jian Ghomeshi to speak at Mount Allison

2010-11-15 09:15:31

Lecture part of the University’s Year of Culture and Creativity Series

SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University welcomes noted CBC broadcaster, writer, and musician, Jian Ghomeshi to campus on Friday, November 19 to deliver the Josiah Wood Lecture, as part of Mount Allison’s President’s Speakers Series. Ghomeshi’s lecture, entitledPop Culture for Social Change will take place at 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall.

Ghomeshi is the host and co-creator of the national daily talk program,Q, on CBC Radio One and bold TV. Since its 2007 inception,Q has become one of the most popular programs in CBC Radio’s history. A known contributor and commentator in the arts, Ghomeshi has appeared on several programs including CNN Today, the National, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He has also been published in many national and international newspapers, including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail.

Mount Allison English professor and director of the University’s CultureWorks research program, Dr. Janine Rogers says, “Jian Ghomeshi’s CBC program Q has become an important venue for discussion and debate in the Canadian arts and culture scene. We are excited to welcome him to campus to contribute to the Year of Culture and Creativity at Mount Allison.”

The lecture is co-sponsored by CultureWorks and the Josiah Wood Fund at Mount Allison University. CultureWorks is a research program at Mount Allison that supports interdisciplinary, innovative, and creative research and practice — engaging culture and community from artistic, academic, archival, and administrative approaches.

The Josiah Wood Lectureship was founded and endowed at Mount Allison in 1925 by the Honourable Josiah Wood, D.C.L., a member of the first Mount Allison class. Previous speakers have included: Lester Brown (2009); Flora MacDonald (2006); John Kenneth Galbraith (1985); Robert Stanfield (1978); Wilder Pennfield (1967) and Vincent Massey (1957).

The Year of Culture and Creativity will emphasize the role that traditional ‘arts’ departments and programs such as Fine Arts, Music, and Drama play at Mount Allison. It will also recognize and celebrate the creative role that all scholars bring to their respective disciplines (www.mta.ca/culture).

The lecture is free of charge and all are welcome to attend.

Jian Ghomeshi Culture and Creativity Poster