Renowned writer, critic, and translator Ryan Ruby visited AAU to discuss his book-length poem “Context Collapse,” which examines the evolution of poetry throughout history.
Over thirty students gathered in the AAU library on December 4th and engaged in discussions led by lecturers Seth Rogoff and Steven Dalbos.
“I don’t consider myself a poet, I just wrote a poem,” responded Ruby after an inquiry from Dalbos. “I’ve come to a point in my life where I will just write whatever, I’m genre-agnostic.”
Based in Berlin, Ruby has contributed to publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Bookforum. His debut novel, the suspense thriller The Zero and the One, has been published internationally.
Rogoff, who organized the lecture, reached out to Ruby following the launch of his own novel, The Kirschbaum Lectures, inspired by Ruby’s work.
AAU students questioned Ruby about his personal experience in the modern age of poetry, especially the difference between Western and Non-Western societies.
“I’m trying to argue that we shouldn’t think of poetry as an object, we should think of poetry as a particular relationship between the person producing it and the audience listening to it,” said Ruby. “Society and social relations cannot be replaced by AI.”
The event was well received by staff and students, some remarking the discussion as, “a fantastic and thought-provoking evening.”
Rogoff intends to continue hosting events like this in Spring 2025 to ensure students receive, “intellectual, philosophical, and creative encounters on campus.”
