I used to work in scientific instrumentation. I hired application scientists to help customers use the instruments (and to help sell them)
The best applications scientist I ever worked with had a degree in History. He was amazing at connecting with customers, and understanding their concerns/needs.
This policy by the Trump administration is really going to kill a couple of generations of kids.
I have a kid like that. It makes me sad that he feels he can’t major in history. I remember 20 years ago schools encouraged doctors to major in history and figure the medical stuff out in medical school. Now, everyone has to niche themselves.
While I don't think everyone needs to go to university, the drop in interest in university study (and what Trump is doing) worries me for all the reasons you describe here so well. We need high-quality tertiary training with a wide variety of subject areas because our societies benefit from people who think in different ways. Trying to dumb everyone down or control how they can think is so dangerous.
Excellent Article! Very good writing and highlighted emphasis.
To add: In the time of AI, we need more emphasis on the liberal arts.AI currently is pattern-matching on steroids. Exactly the opposite of the liberal arts creative process!
Good point. It is all a copy of a copy. I remember I had a teacher who used to beat one point into our heads every time we questioned why we needed to learn a particular subject. He would always say, "It's mental gymnastics." We know enough about brain plasticity to understand how AI is dangerous. It causes straight-line thinking - the opposite of creative thinking.
Good to share! I teach AI at the graduate level- 5 years now! I find that there is a huge vacuum between AI tech community and the general public.
So I spent a year( not full time) making a video that is 3 minutes long to explain how current AI works. No math , no equations and no jargon. The video uses ballroom dancing clips done by me and friends!
Carlyn, I wish that you were co-teaching in my high school machine shop. I retired a few years ago, but I still fill in when teachers are away.
I had a conversation with a student yesterday who could not understand the concept of a prècis or why one would use it. I gave her an example of a story of two star crossed lovers who were from opposite sides of society. Was their story going to have a happy ending or not? The student immediately recognized Romeo and Juliette. The point that her English teacher was trying to make, was to write a brief description of a story they were studying without giving away the plot. Now, as you can clearly see, I am NOT an English teacher, but I read. I have worked in the theatre. I have an appreciation for fine music, the ballet, literature, the arts in general. This all came from having excellent teachers with diverse backgrounds and they encouraged us to question everything.
We must not give in to the push to create a society of "worker bees" who only have one function. This is not a career, or a life or anything that we value.
We desperately need to cultivate a far more European philosophy on work, leisure and career.
The concept that we MUST learn is that we "Work to Live, NOT Live to Work".
Excellent points. One of the books that changed my life was The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall. I wish it were required reading in high school. Gottschall shows how stories create meaning in people's lives. I see many young people in a crisis of meaning.
I was taught to think and ask questions. Where will the future lawyers come from, at least the ethical ones, if we aren't taught how to ask questions ?
This is a clear well reasoned argument as to the damage the current potus is creating to American society over the next ten to twenty years. Whilst I am not American, I fear for your society
Excellent article. As I read it, I kept thinking… yeah but… and then kept reading while my point unfolded in your next sentence. I have a Liberal Arts degree because I was simply curious about the world. As a natural salesperson I have never needed this degree to show my qualifications for any profession. I sold myself at face value. However, my degree has deeply enhanced my appreciation of life. Although it came at an exorbitant cost which I resent. If tuition was back to the cost in the 80’s then many could afford what can only be seen as a luxury now. It’s part of their plan-to price out an education that enriches the person in favor of a trade so “they” can enrich themselves with skilled labor.
As a “Liberal Arts” college graduate I agree100%. The argument is not trade v academia. That’s moronic MAGA brain washing for the populace.
Unfortunately this country has also had an anti intellectual gene in the National DNA for quite a while too. Introspection isn’t a quality regarded as valuable in this culture. It’s all about material gains. We are infected with this working for a living” myth to the point where most vote against their own economic interests.
It’s accelerating because the fascists can finally see the long goal, zero education for anyone NOT rich.
Great article, but your conclusion is missing something very important, the plumbers and the builders also need to learn the humanities and the philosophers should learn how to use a hammer and a wrench to fix basic things around the house. It’s all important and valuable for everyone
Back when I taught high school, when people asked me what I taught, my usual reply was “thinking.“
When pressed, I would confess that I taught physics. When they would puzzle about how that’s about thinking, I would say it’s right next to metaphysics.
No more abiding false frights. The time is here to bask in all shades of our darkness and light. Into our likenesses; to be true to our selves. To stop listening to the sinister commands of, “or else”. Dream and sleep soundly, safe and loved through your nights, and awaken again into your true light’s pure might. We’re onto something. We’ve done ourselves right. Some may feel jealous, wanting others hidden away or to bask too in the light, for their own light-filled days. Let us all take up space. There’s enough room to bloom. Don’t hide. Don’t heed. Beam forth what’s true for you. Cheer on others as we all do that too. Hold firm to who you are, so dear, and be an example to draw other truth-beings near. Show how free we can be when we banish all fears. The creativity is flowing, a movement of gears. Oh how we’ve longed for this variety through the years. Hear this: all flames glow, and now everyone can see. Everyone knows. We all can be free. And when dusk breaks, we get to decide, “do I dip into my shadow and go for a ride?” Stay here awhile. Explore my authentic me. Say, “come what may. Will I be swayed by another’s dark zone of gray? How will I know if we never can play?” In shadow we’re in the midst of such a grand gall, closer to deciding whether to rest, climb or fall. In shadow we can hang out and observe all the colors of life, the joys and the strife and the confusion we’ve heard…All the herding of sheep, on their backs each a bird, tweeting and chirping a whirl of words. Sip the gossip. Brave the noise. Someone is coming with a bounty of toys. And the shadow brings a respite that’s cool too. Although perhaps with a confusion of who rules who. Ponder the fools here, we know we’re all one. It’s not a delusion when we’re the suns of these guns. Here in our shadow there’s a muddle in the middle. You might be asked to stay little, not honoring your strength. Tricked and deceived to join a bully’s higher ranks. Or to be submissive to a dominant friend. Only you can know where your own boundaries’ end. And maybe today I want to be mean. I can go into my darkness and be a merciless machine. So perhaps with glee I take a trip into my dark. Maybe here I can better light up my spark. This journey we’ll embark upon may bring memories of pain. We may find ourselves surrounded by others with an aim to non-consensually maim. Some are snatched from the shadows and snatched from the light and there’s some sadistic pleasure in not caring what’s wrong or what’s right. You can let the weight fall; party hard. Have a ball. But our souls pay the toll and our egos know, so when we step back into the light it may all be too bright, and maybe we’ve woven something so wrong, so we’ll need a mask to breathe, no relief, to disguise our false thief. The horror of causing another life grief. After the fall it may all seem too hot and sunny. And we’ll be reminded…we need money. We’ll be asked to steal some hunny. And we’ll likely think ,”this doesn’t seem fair. We had such fun in that deep dark lair. There was something authentic in letting down my hair. It seemed so stealthy; not a worry or care.” Still perhaps someone saw us, caught unaware. And so with newfound knowledge, knowing more clearly my edges, I can burst into the light and I won’t hide what was there. I take pleasure in knowing that we’re all here to be cared for and care. And to carry the burden of all that’s hurting when we’re uncertain. Somehow we must look behind the curtain. Step out and take a bow. The time to show our true hearts is now. No matter dark, shadow or light, we are entrusted to share these dazzling days and nights. For no one is to be left out of the fun. All is to come out right, fair and won. We are a wondrous oneness that cannot be undone.
Spot on Carlyn.
I used to work in scientific instrumentation. I hired application scientists to help customers use the instruments (and to help sell them)
The best applications scientist I ever worked with had a degree in History. He was amazing at connecting with customers, and understanding their concerns/needs.
This policy by the Trump administration is really going to kill a couple of generations of kids.
I have a kid like that. It makes me sad that he feels he can’t major in history. I remember 20 years ago schools encouraged doctors to major in history and figure the medical stuff out in medical school. Now, everyone has to niche themselves.
Carlyn you are a wonderful, thought provoking writer- the diversity of the subject matter you write about is nothing short of incredible.
Awww. Thanks for the kind words. I will remember them when I throw out a dud or two. 😉
I not sure you are capable of a “ dud” - but I will keep an eye out
While I don't think everyone needs to go to university, the drop in interest in university study (and what Trump is doing) worries me for all the reasons you describe here so well. We need high-quality tertiary training with a wide variety of subject areas because our societies benefit from people who think in different ways. Trying to dumb everyone down or control how they can think is so dangerous.
Excellent Article! Very good writing and highlighted emphasis.
To add: In the time of AI, we need more emphasis on the liberal arts.AI currently is pattern-matching on steroids. Exactly the opposite of the liberal arts creative process!
Good point. It is all a copy of a copy. I remember I had a teacher who used to beat one point into our heads every time we questioned why we needed to learn a particular subject. He would always say, "It's mental gymnastics." We know enough about brain plasticity to understand how AI is dangerous. It causes straight-line thinking - the opposite of creative thinking.
Good to share! I teach AI at the graduate level- 5 years now! I find that there is a huge vacuum between AI tech community and the general public.
So I spent a year( not full time) making a video that is 3 minutes long to explain how current AI works. No math , no equations and no jargon. The video uses ballroom dancing clips done by me and friends!
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4tLBeoVouo
Curious to know your response to this video! 😊
Zero sum philosophy? If one wins, the other must lose. Bullshit. A high tide raises all boats.
Yep. That's pretty much why humans are at the top of the food chain. Not because we are the most violent apex predator. It's because we are prosocial.
Carlyn, I wish that you were co-teaching in my high school machine shop. I retired a few years ago, but I still fill in when teachers are away.
I had a conversation with a student yesterday who could not understand the concept of a prècis or why one would use it. I gave her an example of a story of two star crossed lovers who were from opposite sides of society. Was their story going to have a happy ending or not? The student immediately recognized Romeo and Juliette. The point that her English teacher was trying to make, was to write a brief description of a story they were studying without giving away the plot. Now, as you can clearly see, I am NOT an English teacher, but I read. I have worked in the theatre. I have an appreciation for fine music, the ballet, literature, the arts in general. This all came from having excellent teachers with diverse backgrounds and they encouraged us to question everything.
We must not give in to the push to create a society of "worker bees" who only have one function. This is not a career, or a life or anything that we value.
We desperately need to cultivate a far more European philosophy on work, leisure and career.
The concept that we MUST learn is that we "Work to Live, NOT Live to Work".
Awesome article, as always.
Excellent points. One of the books that changed my life was The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall. I wish it were required reading in high school. Gottschall shows how stories create meaning in people's lives. I see many young people in a crisis of meaning.
I have not heard of Mr. Gottschal before. I will look him up.
Thank you for the reference.
Colin
I have 2 degrees in american history.
Good degrees for law school - law is history.
I was taught to think and ask questions. Where will the future lawyers come from, at least the ethical ones, if we aren't taught how to ask questions ?
It's all so grim....
Thanks Carlyn, succinct and articulate.
This is a clear well reasoned argument as to the damage the current potus is creating to American society over the next ten to twenty years. Whilst I am not American, I fear for your society
Excellent article. As I read it, I kept thinking… yeah but… and then kept reading while my point unfolded in your next sentence. I have a Liberal Arts degree because I was simply curious about the world. As a natural salesperson I have never needed this degree to show my qualifications for any profession. I sold myself at face value. However, my degree has deeply enhanced my appreciation of life. Although it came at an exorbitant cost which I resent. If tuition was back to the cost in the 80’s then many could afford what can only be seen as a luxury now. It’s part of their plan-to price out an education that enriches the person in favor of a trade so “they” can enrich themselves with skilled labor.
As a “Liberal Arts” college graduate I agree100%. The argument is not trade v academia. That’s moronic MAGA brain washing for the populace.
Unfortunately this country has also had an anti intellectual gene in the National DNA for quite a while too. Introspection isn’t a quality regarded as valuable in this culture. It’s all about material gains. We are infected with this working for a living” myth to the point where most vote against their own economic interests.
It’s accelerating because the fascists can finally see the long goal, zero education for anyone NOT rich.
Great article, but your conclusion is missing something very important, the plumbers and the builders also need to learn the humanities and the philosophers should learn how to use a hammer and a wrench to fix basic things around the house. It’s all important and valuable for everyone
Back when I taught high school, when people asked me what I taught, my usual reply was “thinking.“
When pressed, I would confess that I taught physics. When they would puzzle about how that’s about thinking, I would say it’s right next to metaphysics.
No more abiding false frights. The time is here to bask in all shades of our darkness and light. Into our likenesses; to be true to our selves. To stop listening to the sinister commands of, “or else”. Dream and sleep soundly, safe and loved through your nights, and awaken again into your true light’s pure might. We’re onto something. We’ve done ourselves right. Some may feel jealous, wanting others hidden away or to bask too in the light, for their own light-filled days. Let us all take up space. There’s enough room to bloom. Don’t hide. Don’t heed. Beam forth what’s true for you. Cheer on others as we all do that too. Hold firm to who you are, so dear, and be an example to draw other truth-beings near. Show how free we can be when we banish all fears. The creativity is flowing, a movement of gears. Oh how we’ve longed for this variety through the years. Hear this: all flames glow, and now everyone can see. Everyone knows. We all can be free. And when dusk breaks, we get to decide, “do I dip into my shadow and go for a ride?” Stay here awhile. Explore my authentic me. Say, “come what may. Will I be swayed by another’s dark zone of gray? How will I know if we never can play?” In shadow we’re in the midst of such a grand gall, closer to deciding whether to rest, climb or fall. In shadow we can hang out and observe all the colors of life, the joys and the strife and the confusion we’ve heard…All the herding of sheep, on their backs each a bird, tweeting and chirping a whirl of words. Sip the gossip. Brave the noise. Someone is coming with a bounty of toys. And the shadow brings a respite that’s cool too. Although perhaps with a confusion of who rules who. Ponder the fools here, we know we’re all one. It’s not a delusion when we’re the suns of these guns. Here in our shadow there’s a muddle in the middle. You might be asked to stay little, not honoring your strength. Tricked and deceived to join a bully’s higher ranks. Or to be submissive to a dominant friend. Only you can know where your own boundaries’ end. And maybe today I want to be mean. I can go into my darkness and be a merciless machine. So perhaps with glee I take a trip into my dark. Maybe here I can better light up my spark. This journey we’ll embark upon may bring memories of pain. We may find ourselves surrounded by others with an aim to non-consensually maim. Some are snatched from the shadows and snatched from the light and there’s some sadistic pleasure in not caring what’s wrong or what’s right. You can let the weight fall; party hard. Have a ball. But our souls pay the toll and our egos know, so when we step back into the light it may all be too bright, and maybe we’ve woven something so wrong, so we’ll need a mask to breathe, no relief, to disguise our false thief. The horror of causing another life grief. After the fall it may all seem too hot and sunny. And we’ll be reminded…we need money. We’ll be asked to steal some hunny. And we’ll likely think ,”this doesn’t seem fair. We had such fun in that deep dark lair. There was something authentic in letting down my hair. It seemed so stealthy; not a worry or care.” Still perhaps someone saw us, caught unaware. And so with newfound knowledge, knowing more clearly my edges, I can burst into the light and I won’t hide what was there. I take pleasure in knowing that we’re all here to be cared for and care. And to carry the burden of all that’s hurting when we’re uncertain. Somehow we must look behind the curtain. Step out and take a bow. The time to show our true hearts is now. No matter dark, shadow or light, we are entrusted to share these dazzling days and nights. For no one is to be left out of the fun. All is to come out right, fair and won. We are a wondrous oneness that cannot be undone.
Well said, my dear!