Dear readers,
Virginia Woolf once expressed, "Thinking is my fighting," a powerful reflection that resonates in her 1940 essay, Thoughts on Peace In an Air Raid. In this piece, Woolf emphasized the significance of individual thought as a vital response to the threats of war and authoritarianism.
Today, this quote prompts me to reflect on the current state of education. As literacy rates in the U.S. face challenges, an alarming trend has emerged where many individuals are outsourcing even basic cognitive tasks to technology, engaging in endless scrolling on social media, and succumbing to distractions that dull the mind. The trade-off seems to be critical thinking in favor of passive acceptance, leading to a decline in curiosity--all under the guise of efficiency and innovation. Our minds have become commodified.
In response to these trends, a cultural resurgence towards self-education is evident. I, too, find inspiration in this movement of autodidacticism--embracing personal learning paths, digital detoxes, and reading challenges. While these may appear as fleeting internet trends, they signify a deeper, collective yearning to reclaim our thoughts.
However, access to quality educational resources remains a significant hurdle, often hindered by high tuition fees and paywalls. At Colossal, we are dedicated to ensuring accessibility. For over 15 years, every article, interview, and instructional resource on our platform has been completely free. We firmly believe that the opportunity to explore and appreciate art should be universally accessible.
Our community has consistently shared how Colossal has enriched their educational journeys. Many educators have integrated our content into their lesson plans, utilizing our articles and glossary of art terms as essential tools. Personally, I discovered Colossal in a classroom setting, and it has remained a trusted resource throughout my teaching experience.
Learning extends beyond the classroom, and we are thrilled to hear stories of how our daily art features inspire readers to discover new insights, deepen their understanding of contemporary art, and engage with narratives that foster change, connection, and hope.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial to cultivate and protect creative thought, ensuring it remains free from barriers. Our mission to promote this ideal relies on your support. Currently, only 1% of our readers contribute financially to sustain our work. Like many independent platforms, our members are vital to our ability to continue sharing art with the world.
We invite you to join the Colossal community. This is an opportune moment to share creative ideas, rekindle curiosity, and defend the right to think and learn innovatively.
As we honor teacher appreciation this month, we are excited to offer a special discounted membership for current students and educators. Thank you for your continued engagement, sharing, and learning with us.
Warm regards,
Jackie Andres
Online editor, Colossal