Blum in elementary school.
Courtesy | Peter Blum

In this Quick Hits, Peter Blum, professor of philosophy and culture and director of sociology and social thought, talks about Stephen King, his stuffed sloth, and folklore.

How do you describe what you teach?

I tend to emphasize reading difficult texts published in the last two to three centuries, and learning that they often don’t say exactly what the people who are dismissive of them think they say.

What’s something you wish more people understood about sociology? 

That there are still a lot of sociologists who are not leftist ideologues, and who reject the idea that sociology is about politicizing students.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever overheard a student say? 

Not exactly crazy. A student once told me: “I thought I was conservative, but then I came to Hillsdale, and the people here are, like, squirrels on crack!”

If you could have met Frank Zappa, what would you have told him?

I’m afraid that he would not be impressed by me at all. But if he would’ve listened, I would have told him that a lot of people would eventually recognize and appreciate him as a serious composer. That was mainly how he understood himself. I’d also mention that “Montana” is one of the best songs ever.

If you could live in any fictional universe, where would you live?

I think where I’m currently living is a fictional universe. And, I think the bad news is that it may be the best of all possible worlds.

What about AI?

AI is a danger and a controversy. It brings much benefit, but some critics say that it badly affects quality of writing and living. It continues to become more applicable, pervasive, and unpredictable. In sum, there are people who like AI and people who don’t.

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If Dr. Arnn were to ask you to add one great yet overlooked figure to the great Western canon, what would you tell him?

Stephen King. Because of “The Dark Tower.” (This is one of the many reasons why Dr. Arnn does not often ask for my advice.)

You suddenly gain the power to revive a Presocratic philosopher from the dead and hypnotize him to share with you the entirety of his philosophical thought. Who would you choose and why?

Probably Heraclitus. Because, you know, flux! And we could talk about the gods in my stove.

What was your favorite class that you took in college? 

Folklore. It was transformative in all sorts of subtle ways. I learned about urban legends before they were cool.

Do you have a favorite stuffed animal?

Yes, I have a rather large sloth. When I met him in Walmart, he introduced himself to me as “Amos Roth, the Mennonite Sloth.” He grew up in a strict Old-Order Mennonite community that left him with a lot of issues. He asked to come home with me, and I said “sure.” He tends to drink pretty heavily, but he’s a great conversationalist. He understands when I need to vent about organized religion.