Small Doses with Amanda Seales Side Effects of Imagination as Resistance (with Ruha Benjamin)
Jul 16, 2025
Ruha Benjamin, a sociologist and author of *Imagination: A Manifesto*, dives into the transformative power of imagination in disrupting the status quo. She discusses how creativity can challenge traditional norms and promote social justice. Benjamin emphasizes the vital role of education in inspiring action and empowering students to confront uncomfortable truths. The conversation also highlights the intersection of imagination and economic narratives, urging a reevaluation of societal standards while advocating for collaboration across generations in the fight for equity.
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Schooling Suppresses Imagination
- Imagination is crucial but often suppressed by standardized schooling.
- Institutions enforce conformity, diminishing creativity and divergent thinking over time.
Creative Academic Assignment
- Amanda Seales recalls a professor letting her submit a poem instead of a paper.
- The condition was performing it live to the class, embracing creativity in academia.
Education as Conformity Engine
- Education enforces conformity to control populations.
- Schools prioritize obedience over nurturing imagination and potential dissent.