Those of us who have been involved in new media studies recognize the contributions of the Critical Arts Ensemble. Now one of its members, and a fellow SUNY colleague, Steve Kurtz, has been arrested under the auspicies of the “Patriot Act.” This site details the events and provides further information.

Though I cannot speak to the particulars of this event, I have taught the work of the CAE, and I am otherwise familiar with it. I cannot help but think that this is an egregious overreaction on the part of our government to an artist who legitimately questions the future of our society: a democratic responsibility to which we are all beholden.