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An internationally acclaimed photographer's lecture at one of China's most prestigious art schools ended abruptly when the speaker left the stage, frustrated by students constantly looking at their phones. The incident has sparked a heated debate about respect, attention spans, and modern technology use in academic settings.
On September 19th, Stephen Shore, the 77-year-old American photographer and pioneer of color photography, was invited to give a lecture titled "Five Experiences That Changed My Life and How They Led Me to Become an Artist" at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing. Shore, considered a living legend in the photography world, is known for his contributions to the "New Color Photography" movement.
What should have been an inspiring exchange of artistic ideas took an unexpected turn. According to social media posts the following day, many students in the audience were constantly looking at their phones throughout the lecture. This behavior eventually prompted Shore to interrupt his talk.
In a video circulating online, Shore can be heard saying through a translator: "I apologize for the interruption, but what I'm about to say might be a bit offensive." He continued, "Since we're discussing the topic of attention, and you know I'm talking about attention, you should understand the importance of attention in daily life. I've noticed that many of you have been looking at your phones from the beginning. You came here specifically for this lecture, but you can't focus. How can you then be mindful of the food you eat or the feeling of sunlight on your skin? We'll end here today. It's been good."
After these words, Shore slowly stood up, left the podium, and returned to his seat in the audience.
The incident has sparked a flurry of comments on Chinese social media platforms. Some defended the students, claiming they were using their phones to take notes. One commenter wrote, "I took photos and videos of everyone's notes and showed them to Shore. He said he felt much better after seeing them."
However, many netizens criticized the students' behavior as disrespectful. "This is the current state of university students," one person commented. Another added, "They don't respect the master."
Some offered a different perspective, suggesting that students are often forced to attend lectures they're not interested in, leading to disengagement and phone use. Others argued that if the lecture was engaging, students would naturally pay attention.
The incident has raised questions about modern attention spans and the impact of technology on learning. One commenter noted, "In today's society, very few people can resist looking at their phones for extended periods. We may not have noticed that we've been completely hijacked by our phones."
The story has also prompted discussions about generational differences and changing attitudes towards Western expertise. Some netizens argued that young people today are less in awe of Western figures and more critical of content, regardless of the speaker's reputation.
