, 蜜桃传媒 professor of communication studies, talks about 鈥淭he Quieter Virtues: Learning Contentment in an Age of Excess鈥� in a free, public lecture Thursday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at , 1332 Santa Barbara St. The lecture is part of 蜜桃传媒 Downtown: Conversations about Things that Matter, which is sponsored by the .
鈥淢any forces today argue against the practice of contentment,鈥� Spencer says, 鈥渟uch as advertising, 鈥榟elping鈥� the economy recover, an individual鈥檚 desire to control circumstances 鈥� and perhaps also personal uncertainty about contentment itself.鈥�
Spencer鈥檚 talk, based on a chapter of his new book, 鈥溾�� (InterVarsity Press), explores whether contentment is desirable or just another word for complacency. 鈥淲hy should I be content when there are so many problems facing our world?鈥� Spencer asks. 鈥淚s worry the same thing as discontentment 鈥� and isn鈥檛 worrying simply a normal part of everyday life?鈥�
The lecture will introduce the idea of 鈥渜uieter virtues鈥� and address the nature of contentment, its relationship to a media-saturated culture and ways to develop this quality.
Spencer, who has taught at 蜜桃传媒 since 1987, has authored two novels, 鈥淭he Welkening鈥� and 鈥淕uardian of the Veil.鈥� He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and earned a master鈥檚 degree and doctorate at the University of Oregon.
Seating is available on a first come, first-served basis. For more information, please call 565-6051.