UC Berkeley Professor Smashes His Laptop in Front of Students to Make a Point About Expectations

Eric Paulos Smashing Computer

Eric Paulos, an associate professor at UC Berkeley and friend of Laughing Squid made a dramatic impression upon the astonished students of his Critical Making class when he suddenly threw his laptop across the room, smashing it into pieces. Paulos was making a point about leaving expectations and proverbial baggage behind.

On the first day of my Critical Making class at UC Berkeley, I wanted to make a point about expectations – about expectations for this course and more importantly about leaving them behind as we enagage in the material and topics within Critical Making. Rather than say it or even show a slide, I unexpectedly and dramatically lifted “my” laptop and smashed it across the floor of the classroom.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.