The power of forgetting

We know too well who we are as classicists and what we do: part of our charm, as some might think. But surely we can take the risk of seeking fresh ways of thinking. Can we consciously choose to forget the master names and master narratives that have constituted our self-understanding? Can we genuinely collaborate with other disciplines—and not only humanistic disciplines? Can we transform our PhD programs to make them authentically and successfully inviting to young people who might not otherwise be tempted to join our collective efforts? The correct answer to each of those questions is “yes.”