PERSONAL MANIFESTO
Yes, this assignment is called a "manifesto." No, it has nothing to do with Karl Marx, seizing the means of production, or overthrowing the bourgeoisie. (Although if your personal manifesto does involve overthrowing the bourgeoisie, I'm genuinely curious to hear about it.)
The word "manifesto" comes from the Latin manifestum — meaning clear, evident, obvious. A manifesto is simply a public declaration of your intentions, motives, and views. Famous manifestos include the Declaration of Independence, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," and — yes — the Communist Manifesto. Also, every tech startup's "About Us" page, though those are considerably less revolutionary.
Your Personal Manifesto is different. It's not about changing the world (though it might). It's about getting clear on what you want your life to be about — before the chaos of post-graduation life makes reflection feel like a luxury you can't afford.
Why does this matter?
Research consistently shows that people who have a sense of purpose live longer, are happier, and are more resilient in the face of setbacks. And yet, most people never take the time to articulate what their purpose actually is. They drift from job to job, decision to decision, reacting to life rather than designing it.
This is your chance to be intentional — to declare, publicly and clearly, what you stand for, what you want, and what kind of life you're building.
So: Workers of BUS479, unite! You have nothing to lose but your ambiguity.
Deliverable Instructions
(a) Upload a 6 slide PowerPoint file to Canvas on the last day of class.
(b) Present a 1.5-minute presentation, summarizing your answers—what is your purpose, vision (what do you want to accomplish before 55), words of encouragement to your peers. This presentation will be done in-person in-class. Make sure not to go over the 1.5 minutes to respect your classmates’ time.
Assignment
Create a PowerPoint deck answering the following questions on a separate slide:
Earlier in the semester, we read an insightful article by David Brooks that delved into the distinction between the capabilities of artificial intelligence and the inherently human attributes that remain unmatched by technology. Drawing inspiration from this article, I want you to revisit your personal narratives, desires, and visions for the future, focusing on the unique human qualities that set us apart in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Instructions
Slide 1 - Purpose and Humanistic Core. Reflect on the moments in your life where you felt a deep connection to your purpose. How do these moments align with the humanistic core that Brooks mentions, which is often absent in AI creations? (You Do Not Need to Answer These Questions Specifically in Your Response: To help think about this, consider times when you felt truly alive, when your emotions, ethics, and spirit felt deeply engaged. Were there instances when you felt you were genuinely making a difference or truly mattered to someone?)
Slide 2 - Skillset & Distinctly Human Skills. Think back to the core skills you identified at the start of the semester. Now, consider the list of uniquely human skills Brooks discussed in his article (such as personal voice, empathy, and creativity). How do your core skills align or differ? (You Do Not Need to Answer These Questions Specifically in Your Response: To help think about this, what do people say you are good at? What have you seen yourself excel at?)
Slide 3 - Desires & Passion. Brooks notes the lack of deeply felt experiences and passion in AI outputs. Ponder upon your own passions and what excites you in life. Write about a time when your desires and passions deeply influenced a decision or experience. What things do you greatly enjoy doing in life? (You Do Not Need to Answer These Questions Specifically in Your Response: To help you think about this, what things could you do for a significant amount of time without getting bored? What things do you daydream about doing? If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?)
Slide 4 - Calling & Human Legacy. What do you feel is your unique calling in a world where many routine tasks might soon be handled by AI? How do you envision leaving a human-centric legacy? (You Do Not Need to Answer These Questions Specifically in Your Response: To help you think about this, business researchers find that people often sense a calling to work in the form of an external summon from either a higher power such as God. Other people simply feel as though destiny has called them to do something. Does this resonate with you?)
Slide 5 - Integrated Response & Vision for the Future. From your responses, create a dream list of two things you would like to accomplish in your life before you are 55 years old.
Slide 6 - Word of Encouragement. As you have reflected during this exercise, and perhaps channeling Brooks’ emphasis on the irreplaceable value of human touch and experience, craft a message of encouragement for your peers. What is a lasting word of encouragement you want to leave with your classmates? Please construct a 1 - 2 sentence encouragement for your classmates. I encourage you to be thoughtful as your words are powerful.
ps. If you would rather not share certain information due to it being sensitive for you, please do not feel the need to share. Please only share what you feel comfortable sharing with your classmates. If you have any questions concerning this, please email me.