Delta students search for wonder and experiences

Why would someone work an unsatisfying job or take classes they find boring? Those are just two questions brought up by and answered by the brown bag discussion on hunger on March 25.

The event wasn’t about world hunger or physical hunger, but the psychological and physiological hunger for experience.

The event had a relaxed atmosphere, with students sitting on the floor if they chose. The event had the theme “Awe and the Numinis.” The event began with English professor Chey Davis defining “numinis” as being Latin for “transcendence.”

Davis also introduced the phrase “mysterium tremendum et fascinans” with Rudolf Otto’s theory of Numinis. Mysterium meaning wholly other, tremendum meaning overpowering and fascinans meaning potent charm.

David described it as “an experience that brings you to trembling and fascination.” Davis asked attendees if they had ever experienced “mysterium tremendum et fascinans.” She was only answered by one student, who said that was the experience she had when her kids were born.

Davis asked “Why suffer for a want?” Davis explained that people given the choice of having a tent (shelter) and having food and water handed to them would not take up that option in favor of having more, despite having to work at a job they hate. She addressed stress as a cause for students’ and professors’ anxieties at this part of the semester.

“We are stressed, over-consuming and unhappy in search of an experience,” said Davis.

Davis dared attendees to take 60 seconds out of their day and find something wonderous. At the beginning of the event, Davis passed out colorful folded squares of paper and had people who came in pick up one at the door.

Attendees were asked not to open the squares. At the end of the event, they were asked to open the squares, which Davis said contained something for and about them. The squares contained words typed on the inside of them such as ‘Awe,’ ‘Charm’ and ‘Wholly Other.’

She asked the attendees why they commit to classes if they aren’t enjoyable.

“I’d never discourage you from going to college,” said Davis. “I’d encourage you to make informed decisions.”

Davis said Delta students are some of the richest people in the world, because they exist, have survived life to the current moment and have access to resources.