Comments on: a clear and present danger: the humanities http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/ wealth, work and life success Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:43:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: farm fencing http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-28455 farm fencing Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:59:42 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-28455 There are a few subjects that are between the humanities and science categories; for example, some argue that psychology and sociology are science, yet others say they are not and are in the humanities. There are a few subjects that are between the humanities and science categories; for example, some argue that psychology and sociology are science, yet others say they are not and are in the humanities.

]]> By: sundae1888 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11541 sundae1888 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:02:11 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11541 Look at the article non-sarcastically: From a pure economics standpoint, if more people goes into technical fields because of the higher pay, the pay for those jobs would decrease thanks to the supply. Additionally, the pay for humanities jobs would (hopefully) increase if the market really calls for X% of population being great poets/fiction novelists/writers. As long as we make sure the people with (arts) degree are not working as burger flippers or other low-paying jobs they overly qualified for, whether government offers more/less aids to arts/engineering does not affect the government's coffer too much in the long run. Look at the article non-sarcastically:

From a pure economics standpoint, if more people goes into technical fields because of the higher pay, the pay for those jobs would decrease thanks to the supply. Additionally, the pay for humanities jobs would (hopefully) increase if the market really calls for X% of population being great poets/fiction novelists/writers.

As long as we make sure the people with (arts) degree are not working as burger flippers or other low-paying jobs they overly qualified for, whether government offers more/less aids to arts/engineering does not affect the government’s coffer too much in the long run.

]]> By: The Financial Blogger | February Top Ten http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11519 The Financial Blogger | February Top Ten Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:01:31 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11519 [...] A Clear and Present Danger: The humanities by Brip [...] [...] A Clear and Present Danger: The humanities by Brip [...]

]]> By: Steve (Brip Blap) http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11514 Steve (Brip Blap) Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:47:33 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11514 @deepali: Well, yes, there are a million places the US could cut back. I would actually like to see education made easily available... to anyone who meets basic requirements (grades, test scores, writing a strong essay, whatever - just something). And I would agree that education is a means to lifting people out of poverty but a big pet peeve of mine is to point out that it is not a COLLEGE education only that does that. Education can come from community colleges, trade schools, seminars, etc. The US subsidizes college education but won't give you a loan to attend a "get out of debt" workshop. And I certainly think education in the humanities is critical for anyone - I keep my education up to this day through the boring old-fashioned method of reading classic literature and history and philosophy - sans tuition! @deepali: Well, yes, there are a million places the US could cut back. I would actually like to see education made easily available… to anyone who meets basic requirements (grades, test scores, writing a strong essay, whatever – just something). And I would agree that education is a means to lifting people out of poverty but a big pet peeve of mine is to point out that it is not a COLLEGE education only that does that. Education can come from community colleges, trade schools, seminars, etc. The US subsidizes college education but won’t give you a loan to attend a “get out of debt” workshop.

And I certainly think education in the humanities is critical for anyone – I keep my education up to this day through the boring old-fashioned method of reading classic literature and history and philosophy – sans tuition!

]]> By: deepali http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11459 deepali Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:41:13 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11459 I dunno. At the end of the day, it's only money. If we're really so concerned, I imagine the war in Iraq, the subsidies to McDonalds and agriculture, and foreign aid to Israel might be better places to consider cutting back. Education, in any form, is a proven means of lifting people out of poverty... Working at McDs isn't (and the only one benefiting there is McDs - and how!). And actually, as someone who bridges the "divide" between the hard sciences and the humanities - I wish MORE doctors, engineers and financiers had training in ethics and sociology! Anyway - very thought-provoking, if sarcastic. :) In an ironic way, Steve, some of your commenters sort of prove why education in the humanities is a necessary thing (particularly ethics and history)... Eugenics anyone? ;) I dunno. At the end of the day, it’s only money. If we’re really so concerned, I imagine the war in Iraq, the subsidies to McDonalds and agriculture, and foreign aid to Israel might be better places to consider cutting back.
Education, in any form, is a proven means of lifting people out of poverty… Working at McDs isn’t (and the only one benefiting there is McDs – and how!).

And actually, as someone who bridges the “divide” between the hard sciences and the humanities – I wish MORE doctors, engineers and financiers had training in ethics and sociology!

Anyway – very thought-provoking, if sarcastic. :)

In an ironic way, Steve, some of your commenters sort of prove why education in the humanities is a necessary thing (particularly ethics and history)… Eugenics anyone? ;)

]]> By: Steve (Brip Blap) http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11061 Steve (Brip Blap) Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:09:48 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11061 Hm, I find it quite interesting that several people found it a better post non-sarcastically than sarcastically! Just goes to show you - different strokes for different folks. Actually I'm sure there's some value to some of the sarcastic points I made, but I still feel that there is some intrinsic value in something like a French major. I think that if the US encourages comp sci or engineering, great - but I don't think we need to be so draconian to assume that music education, for example, is worthless and doesn't deserve at least some subsidizing. I guess it's a point that can be argued either way! Hm, I find it quite interesting that several people found it a better post non-sarcastically than sarcastically! Just goes to show you – different strokes for different folks.

Actually I’m sure there’s some value to some of the sarcastic points I made, but I still feel that there is some intrinsic value in something like a French major. I think that if the US encourages comp sci or engineering, great – but I don’t think we need to be so draconian to assume that music education, for example, is worthless and doesn’t deserve at least some subsidizing.

I guess it’s a point that can be argued either way!

]]> By: Meg http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11058 Meg Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:12:47 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11058 And I am TOTALLY for the government offering more aid and cheaper aid to those willing to obtain a degree in math, engineering, the sciences, or computer technology. Not just so those people can have higher salaries, pay more taxes, and be more likely to pay back their loans, but because this country needs to stay competitive in those fields - and we aren't. And I am TOTALLY for the government offering more aid and cheaper aid to those willing to obtain a degree in math, engineering, the sciences, or computer technology. Not just so those people can have higher salaries, pay more taxes, and be more likely to pay back their loans, but because this country needs to stay competitive in those fields – and we aren’t.

]]> By: Meg http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11057 Meg Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:08:39 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11057 I mostly agree with the article, sans sarcasm. The reason tuition has ballooned like it has is largely because of government subsidies. Schools will do anything they can to absorb the billions of dollars being passed out every year by Uncle Sam - which means continually raising tuition to put it out of the reach of most Americans. So while I think some of these govn subsidies are totally justifiable, there should be limits, not the least of which should include graduating in a timely manner and maintaining good grades. And schools whose tuition is paid mostly by govn aid should be held accountable and regulated as to how they use their tuition dollars and how often they raise tuition. I mostly agree with the article, sans sarcasm. The reason tuition has ballooned like it has is largely because of government subsidies. Schools will do anything they can to absorb the billions of dollars being passed out every year by Uncle Sam – which means continually raising tuition to put it out of the reach of most Americans.

So while I think some of these govn subsidies are totally justifiable, there should be limits, not the least of which should include graduating in a timely manner and maintaining good grades. And schools whose tuition is paid mostly by govn aid should be held accountable and regulated as to how they use their tuition dollars and how often they raise tuition.

]]> By: SJean http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11014 SJean Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:51:20 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11014 Oh also, there ARE cutoffs on federal aid if your grades fall too low. But then students typically just go get private loans.... Ug. Oh also, there ARE cutoffs on federal aid if your grades fall too low.

But then students typically just go get private loans…. Ug.

]]> By: SJean http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/comment-page-1/#comment-11011 SJean Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:41:53 +0000 http://www.bripblap.com/2008/a-clear-and-present-danger-the-humanities/#comment-11011 I think I agree with it more as a non-sarcastic article than as a sarcastic one! Though taken at face value it is obviously too extreme, the notion that (nearly) everyone should go to college and study something is a little silly to my mind. I think there is a lot of waste in the college system, and I've seen first hand people waste years of their lives dilly dallying through generals on student loans with no purpose... Not really getting a true education, but just delaying being a productive member of the world. I think I agree with it more as a non-sarcastic article than as a sarcastic one! Though taken at face value it is obviously too extreme, the notion that (nearly) everyone should go to college and study something is a little silly to my mind.

I think there is a lot of waste in the college system, and I’ve seen first hand people waste years of their lives dilly dallying through generals on student loans with no purpose… Not really getting a true education, but just delaying being a productive member of the world.

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