Living Deliberately through Existential Despair

Justin McDaniel, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Endowed Professor of the Humanities, shares the experiences from two of his Penn courses in which students take on “monastic” challenges—like giving up cellphones and computers for a month, staying silent, or even reading books straight through from 5 p.m. to midnight. He dives into the surprising reactions and lessons learned, showing how unplugging from distractions and focusing on one thing at a time can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and moments of clarity. It’s a fascinating look at how simplifying our lives can open up new ways of thinking.