“Is Literature Still Relevant in the Digital Age? Here’s What Prof. Manneke Budiman Has to Say

HUMANIORA – (9/7/2023) – In the digital era, medium and message become one, inseparable entity, bringing about a more complex and radical transformation in the human mind. This was conveyed by Prof. Manneke Budiman at the University of Indonesia, who presented an intriguing session titled "The Dawn of Digitality and the Dusk of Literacy: What will happen to literature in the digital age?" at the Annual International Conference on Language, Literature, and Media (AICOLLIM) 5, held on the second day, Thursday, September 7, 2023.  

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During his presentation, a graduate of the University of British Columbia in Canada, questioned the role of literature in the increasingly advanced digital era. He began by observing the emergence of technology and digitalization, which has become an integral part of human life.

"Technology can do things that were never possible for humans with their physical abilities and interaction with the surrounding environment," he said.

In Prof. Manneke Budiman's view, digitality is like a magical technology that can provide access to all information simply by thinking beyond human capabilities. Prof. Manneke Budiman's Presentation at the Plenary Session of AICOLLIM 5, 9/7/2023

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Prof. Manneke Budiman also highlighted the challenges faced by humans, especially in the context of literature. He questioned whether literature still has relevance in this digital era. He pointed out that in its traditional form, literature may no longer be needed. Examples such as Afrizal Malna, who creates poetry from computer code, or Martin Suryajaya, who composes poetry using the GPT chatbot, demonstrate a shift in how literature is produced and consumed.

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However, Prof. Manneke Budiman also reminded that many remain optimistic about the role of literature in the digital age. They argue that in the digital era, we actually read and write more than ever before. "The question then is, what are we reading, and how are we using it to improve our understanding and abilities?" he urged participants to reflect.

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In the same context, Prof. Manneke Budiman emphasized that the digital era presents new challenges.

"Currently, the digital era follows the principle of multi-modality, where various literacies or modes contribute to our understanding of a composition. This involves all aspects, from image layout to content delivery methods, creating meaning in a more complex way," he stated.

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One of the most important points discussed by Prof. Budiman is that machines cannot create subjectivity like humans. Subjectivity is what makes us human, and this is what makes literature essential. "Literature plays a crucial role in maintaining human existence in the midst of the increasingly advanced digital era," he added.

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Still in his presentation, Prof. Manneke Budiman reminded us that human capabilities to create and analyze content are far from being replaced by machines. He urged us to see literature as a fortress that can help us survive in this digital era.

"Literature can be a means to improve what is good, filter out what is harmful, and enrich our quality and morals," he concluded.

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Prof. Manneke Budiman's presentation has sparked various important questions about the role of literature in the digital era. This discussion continues at AICOLLIM 5, which serves as a platform for exploration, critical thinking, and new discoveries in the world of language, literature, and media. [al]