The Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology at Yerevan State University recently hosted the theatrical performance "In the Digital 'Cave' of the 21st Century".
According to Ovsanna Nahapetyan, lecturer at the Chair of History, Theory, and Logic of Philosophy, the uniqueness of this performance lies in the fact that it does not provide ready-made answers. Instead, it invites the audience to engage in reflective thinking and self-critical examination.
"This is not merely an entertaining performance; it is an attempt to become conscious of one's own involvement in digital reality," emphasized Nahapetyan. She added that such initiatives in a university setting contribute to the development of critical thinking and the formation of students as reflective, thinking subjects.
The co-author and director of the performance was Arpi Shamoyan, a fourth-year student of the Department of Philosophy. Born out of student experience, the performance stood out for the sincerity of its contemporary questions and its critical audacity.
The script of the performance centers on the gathering of three friends. They decide to spend time together, converse, and restore the daily contact. However, what begins as an ordinary meeting gradually evolves into a deep, multi-layered discussion that reveals the impact of digital environments on human thinking, identity, and interpersonal relationships. During their gathering, several key questions arise: Do digital technologies contribute to human liberation, or do they create new mechanisms of control? How are social relations transformed under conditions of virtualized interaction? And is it possible to get out of the digital "cave"?
The performance "In the Digital 'Cave' of the 21st Century" was valuable not only from an educational standpoint but also in terms of public discourse. It created a platform where art served as a stimulus for reflective thinking. Discussions following the performance demonstrated that the topic resonated particularly strongly with young people, who constantly navigate the possibilities and limitations of digital reality.
As a self-reflective mirror of contemporary society, the performance reminds us that technological progress alone does not guarantee human advancement unless it is accompanied by critical thinking and awareness of the primacy of appropriate values. In this regard, dialogue and face-to-face interactions may serve as steps toward getting out of the modern "cave".
