Higher Education Gone Wrong?

[tango]

Hmm ... maybe this should have gone in Indoctrinate U?

Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace

Higher Education Gone Wrong: Universities Are Turning into Corporate Drone Factories

By Chris Hedges, Truthdig. Posted March 28, 2009.

Unless we take hold of the reins we will be cursed with a more ruthless form of corporate power wielded through naked repression.

In decaying societies, politics become theater.

The elite, who have hollowed out the democratic system to serve the corporate state, rule through image and presentation. They express indignation at AIG bonuses and empathy with a working class they have spent the last few decades disenfranchising, and make promises to desperate families that they know will never be fulfilled. Once the spotlights go on they read their lines with appropriate emotion. Once the lights go off, they make sure Goldman Sachs and a host of other large corporations have the hundreds of billions of dollars in losses they incurred playing casino capitalism repaid with taxpayer money.

We live in an age of moral nihilism. We have trashed our universities, turning them into vocational factories that produce corporate drones and chase after defense-related grants and funding. The humanities, the discipline that forces us to stand back and ask the broad moral questions of meaning and purpose, that challenges the validity of structures, that trains us to be self-reflective and critical of all cultural assumptions, have withered. Our press, which should promote such intellectual and moral questioning, confuses bread and circus with news and refuses to give a voice to critics who challenge not this bonus payment or that bailout but the pernicious superstructure of the corporate state itself. We kneel before a cult of the self, elaborately constructed by the architects of our consumer society, which dismisses compassion, sacrifice for the less fortunate, and honesty. The methods used to attain what we want, we are told by reality television programs, business schools and self-help gurus, are irrelevant. Success, always defined in terms of money and power, is its own justification. The capacity for manipulation is what is most highly prized. And our moral collapse is as terrifying, and as dangerous, as our economic collapse.

Theodor Adorno in 1967 wrote an essay called "Education After Auschwitz." He argued that the moral corruption that made the Holocaust possible remained "largely unchanged." He wrote that "the mechanisms that render people capable of such deeds" must be made visible. Schools had to teach more than skills. They had to teach values. If they did not, another Auschwitz was always possible.

"All political instruction finally should be centered upon the idea that Auschwitz should never happen again," he wrote. "This would be possible only when it devotes itself openly, without fear of offending any authorities, to this most important of problems. To do this, education must transform itself into sociology, that is, it must teach about the societal play of forces that operates beneath the surface of political forms."

Our elites are imploding. Their fraud and corruption are slowly being exposed as the disparity between their words and our reality becomes wider and more apparent. The rage that is bubbling up across the country will have to be countered by the elite with less subtle forms of control. But unless we grasp the

"societal play of forces that operates beneath the surface of political forms"

we will be cursed with a more ruthless form of corporate power, one that does away with artifice and the seduction of a consumer society and instead wields power through naked repression.

Ok, so I'm not into the total fear-mongering tone of this extreme scenario.

I'm sure there's a balance to be considered, and this is only one point of view.

At the same time, if there's corporate research that needs to be done and paid for, jobs to be had for students and efficiencies in innovation, the cohabitation of corporate and academic research and innovation makes total sense.

And I think the phrase

"societal play of forces that operates beneath the surface of political forms"

is very important.

That's us ... the people ... most of whom want to live comfortably both economically and ethically, in the middle.

Edited April 13, 2009 by tango

[Machjo]

Never mind higher education. Just look at the state of our elementary education. Not everyone goes to university, but everyone can vote as an adult and everyone is supposed to go to high school at least. If we want more responsible voters, we need to improve our compulsory education before we can even begin to worry about higher education. We really are nose-diving right now.

[Griz]

Never mind higher education. Just look at the state of our elementary education. Not everyone goes to university, but everyone can vote as an adult and everyone is supposed to go to high school at least. If we want more responsible voters, we need to improve our compulsory education before we can even begin to worry about higher education. We really are nose-diving right now.

I'II applaud the day when we see more responsibility! Especially when you look around our society and you see so-called grown men who are worse than little kids--I call them "right wing lil boyz" No wonder the world is so messed up!! You have all these idiots who think they have all the answers...yet they're a bunch of fools

[sharkman]

At the end of the day it's not a right/left wing problem. And it's not a higher education problem. And it's not a corporation problem. It's a problem with morality, there's no right or wrong anymore.

When everyone polices their own actions/decisions from an early age as they are taught to judge between what is right and wrong, fewer problems arise in one's life, and therefore in society as a whole. When no one polices their actions/decisions anymore since it is taught that there is no right or wrong, you can't hire enough police.

[charter.rights]

At the end of the day it's not a right/left wing problem. And it's not a higher education problem. And it's not a corporation problem. It's a problem with morality, there's no right or wrong anymore.

When everyone polices their own actions/decisions from an early age as they are taught to judge between what is right and wrong, fewer problems arise in one's life, and therefore in society as a whole. When no one polices their actions/decisions anymore since it is taught that there is no right or wrong, you can't hire enough police.

Of course this is leading off topic, but the crime rate has generally fallen since 1992 and would indicate that less interference in the actions/decisions of people has been beneficial to society, and not as you claim, a greater burden on police. Crime Rate 1992 to 2007

The entire education system since the industrial revolution has been used to make good workers and good corporate citizens who obey orders and do not question "authority". It has only been in the last 10 years or so that real and sincere critical thinking has been taught in schools. Yet there is still a push by educators to mold students into compliant peons so that the corporations can thrive unchallenged.

[sharkman]

Of course this is leading off topic, but the crime rate has generally fallen since 1992 and would indicate that less interference in the actions/decisions of people has been beneficial to society, and not as you claim, a greater burden on police. Crime Rate 1992 to 2007

The entire education system since the industrial revolution has been used to make good workers and good corporate citizens who obey orders and do not question "authority". It has only been in the last 10 years or so that real and sincere critical thinking has been taught in schools. Yet there is still a push by educators to mold students into compliant peons so that the corporations can thrive unchallenged.

I'm not speaking of the crime rate per say, but the kind moral decisions that leads one to wake up at age 40 divorced with 2 kids that hate your guts, knowing that of course it's not your fault at all, but everyone elses, and the system.

I'm speaking of 18 year olds who have become so self absorbed by a lifetime of mom and dad buying them everything and taking them to every single event that they could not afford when they were young that the youth expects a spouse to treat them the same way in a marriage(which of course doesn't last when they fall out of lust). And btw they are pretty much unemployable.

Sorry for the thread wander.

[Oleg Bach]

Higher has become lower.

[Hydraboss]

At the end of the day it's not a right/left wing problem. And it's not a higher education problem. And it's not a corporation problem. It's a problem with morality, there's no right or wrong anymore.

When everyone polices their own actions/decisions from an early age as they are taught to judge between what is right and wrong, fewer problems arise in one's life, and therefore in society as a whole. When no one polices their actions/decisions anymore since it is taught that there is no right or wrong, you can't hire enough police.

Nailed it. Good job sharkman.

[charter.rights]

I'm not speaking of the crime rate per say, but the kind moral decisions that leads one to wake up at age 40 divorced with 2 kids that hate your guts, knowing that of course it's not your fault at all, but everyone elses, and the system.

I'm speaking of 18 year olds who have become so self absorbed by a lifetime of mom and dad buying them everything and taking them to every single event that they could not afford when they were young that the youth expects a spouse to treat them the same way in a marriage(which of course doesn't last when they fall out of lust). And btw they are pretty much unemployable.

Sorry for the thread wander.

You can blame the youth of today or the parents of yesterday for the state of moral decay but it will not detract from our own moral ineptitude. We must all accept responsibility for our own behavior instead of pointing the finger at ~society~ and expecting everyone else to change. The minute you blame education, or the police, or the justice system or the government or 18 year old's for the condition of the society you have diverted the blame away from the real culprit - yourself.

20 somethings have always be irresponsible, carefree and impulsive, maturing with age and responsibility. Its nothing new, nor is it something to be alarmed about. Let's just hope that there are still enough of us around as responsible people to model respect, consideration, bravery, understanding etc. If not then we only have ourselves to blame.

Ah...and this has nothing to do with "right or wrong". It has everything to do with fairness, balance and equity.

Edited May 1, 2009 by charter.rights

[sharkman]

You can blame the youth of today or the parents of yesterday for the state of moral decay but it will not detract from our own moral ineptitude. We must all accept responsibility for our own behavior instead of pointing the finger at ~society~ and expecting everyone else to change. The minute you blame education, or the police, or the justice system or the government or 18 year old's for the condition of the society you have diverted the blame away from the real culprit - yourself.

20 somethings have always be irresponsible, carefree and impulsive, maturing with age and responsibility. Its nothing new, nor is it something to be alarmed about. Let's just hope that there are still enough of us around as responsible people to model respect, consideration, bravery, understanding etc. If not then we only have ourselves to blame.

Ah...and this has nothing to do with "right or wrong". It has everything to do with fairness, balance and equity.

I am blaming we the people. You can't get more 'yourself' than that. Why is it that families and marriage are in such rough shape? And this is what leads to adult children with disfunctional/unhealthy lives. Not all adult children, but more than before, which grows the cycle.

I came across this example once and realized it fit me, so let me try it on you. It is interesting to note that North American parents want their children to be happy. Asian parents, in contrast, want their children to be successful. My parents were different. They wanted me to be good. So with those examples of parents with differing views, let me ask you this: do you suppose that one of those is worse than the others? Is one better, or all they all the same and who are we to judge.

[charter.rights]

I am blaming we the people. You can't get more 'yourself' than that. Why is it that families and marriage are in such rough shape? And this is what leads to adult children with disfunctional/unhealthy lives. Not all adult children, but more than before, which grows the cycle.

I came across this example once and realized it fit me, so let me try it on you. It is interesting to note that North American parents want their children to be happy. Asian parents, in contrast, want their children to be successful. My parents were different. They wanted me to be good. So with those examples of parents with differing views, let me ask you this: do you suppose that one of those is worse than the others? Is one better, or all they all the same and who are we to judge.

You are still asking the wrong questions:

Why is it that YOUR family is in such rough shape? This is what will lead to YOUR children being dysfunctional and unhealthy........

[sharkman]

I'm not sure we are on the same wave-length. I am looking at the macro view, and you seem to insist that the micro view is the best way to approach analyzing society. Or are you actually commenting on my family? I have none, kids that is, just my wife and I who will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this summer.

I am sincerely trying to discuss this and I am not sure you are willing to. What is wrong with looking at society from a macro view? Why were you unwilling to answer the question I put to you in my previous post?

Would anyone else like to put in their 2 cents?

[charter.rights]

I'm not sure we are on the same wave-length. I am looking at the macro view, and you seem to insist that the micro view is the best way to approach analyzing society. Or are you actually commenting on my family? I have none, kids that is, just my wife and I who will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this summer.

I am sincerely trying to discuss this and I am not sure you are willing to. What is wrong with looking at society from a macro view? Why were you unwilling to answer the question I put to you in my previous post?

Would anyone else like to put in their 2 cents?

I am certainly serious about this discussion.

It is easy to blame others for the condition of society and a whole lot harder to self-examine and admit that we (you) are part of the problem.

The issue of family, community and social morality is not outside of your own personal responsibilities. Once you understand that then you might start thinking about the ~right~ questions.

[sharkman]

I am certainly serious about this discussion.

It is easy to blame others for the condition of society and a whole lot harder to self-examine and admit that we (you) are part of the problem.

The issue of family, community and social morality is not outside of your own personal responsibilities. Once you understand that then you might start thinking about the ~right~ questions.

Who am I blaming? I am saying the responsibility lies with us, we the people. I don't know how much more clear I can make that. This encompasses 'you'. We are all a part of the problem(you).

We are failing our children, because our parents failed us. I am saying it is a cycle, and instead of admitting responsibility and changing ourselves, we have tried to fix it by the above ways I mentioned. But it hasn't fixed anything, and now we see teenagers swarm killing innocents or shooting as many students as they can. Our lows are getting lower. Our highs are not getting higher.

Immigrant students regularly outperform Canadian born ones. Why are our children doing worse when they have so much more? My wife is a teacher, and she says it is because the immigrant kids work harder. The Canadian kids want to entertain themselves instead (xbox, movies, hanging out, parties/drinking/drugs, internet entertainment), and are simply outworked, and who do you think does better in university and getting the better jobs?(disclaimer: There is nothing wrong with immigrants or them benefiting from our system)

This is something we haven't ever seen before. It's not the same as it ever was as you seem to think with your 20 yr olds always being irresponsible comment. In recent history in Canada we have seen the rise of serial killers, child porn, children killers and the above mentioned swarmers. This is not right. It is wrong. The first step is realizing there is a problem. In Canada, we choose to ignore the symptoms and say there is no problem.

Edited May 1, 2009 by sharkman

[sharkman]

I'm not speaking of the crime rate per say, but the kind moral decisions that leads one to wake up at age 40 divorced with 2 kids that hate your guts, knowing that of course it's not your fault at all, but everyone elses, and the system.

I'm speaking of 18 year olds who have become so self absorbed by a lifetime of mom and dad buying them everything and taking them to every single event that they could not afford when they were young that the youth expects a spouse to treat them the same way in a marriage(which of course doesn't last when they fall out of lust). And btw they are pretty much unemployable.

Sorry for the thread wander.

I still think you don't understand me, charter, or at least you misunderstood this comment. When the divorced 40 yr old mentioned above with the hateful kids responds by blaming the system or everyone else, I was meaning that this was denial instead of realizing there is a problem with him/her.

And I am not blaming 18 yr olds! I am saying they are a product of our society, or at a micro-level, you. We are causing our children to become as I described above.

[charter.rights]

Who am I blaming? I am saying the responsibility lies with us, we the people. I don't know how much more clear I can make that. This encompasses 'you'. We are all a part of the problem(you).

We are failing our children, because our parents failed us. I am saying it is a cycle, and instead of admitting responsibility and changing ourselves, we have tried to fix it by the above ways I mentioned. But it hasn't fixed anything, and now we see teenagers swarm killing innocents or shooting as many students as they can. Our lows are getting lower. Our highs are not getting higher.

Immigrant students regularly outperform Canadian born ones. Why are our children doing worse when they have so much more? My wife is a teacher, and she says it is because the immigrant kids work harder. The Canadian kids want to entertain themselves instead (xbox, movies, hanging out, parties/drinking/drugs, internet entertainment), and are simply outworked, and who do you think does better in university and getting the better jobs?(disclaimer: There is nothing wrong with immigrants or them benefiting from our system)

This is something we haven't ever seen before. It's not the same as it ever was as you seem to think with your 20 yr olds always being irresponsible comment. In recent history in Canada we have seen the rise of serial killers, child porn, children killers and the above mentioned swarmers. This is not right. It is wrong. The first step is realizing there is a problem. In Canada, we choose to ignore the symptoms and say there is no problem.

First of all, there is not a "rise of serial killers, child porn, children killers.....etc" as far as I know. There is just more people getting caught and fewer people accepting of it today than in the past.

But you still aren't accepting responsibility. You are deflecting it onto "we" instead of YOU.

There is nothing wrong with my children and they have grown up to be respectable, contributing members of society. I take my responsibility towards them seriously, and have protected (but not sheltered ) them throughout their lives. I have been there when they played sports, and went to scouts and guides. I have taken them on walks for the blind or community meetings. My oldest attended a Community Justice forum with me and participated in a respectful and concerning manner. My youngest still goes to school and works as a supervisor at Tim Hortons - a responsibility she was given at only 17!.

I continue to participate in community development meetings, offering advice and taking on the role of volunteer. I contribute financially to social agencies and charities and give my time to those who need to discuss their issues. This is nothing special (nor am I intending to brag). What I am providing is that I have accepted the responsibility to mold the youth of today, and to contribute as a role model. I have offered help as a member of my community so that families did not have to undergo the shame of asking government agencies for help. I have helped divert people from going to jail for temporary errors in judgment. I accept my responsibility for my family, my community and my business BUT will not interfere in their learning their own lessons.

There is nothing wrong with the youth, or their parents or the adults or old people in society. There are some misjudgments and lots of interference by do-gooders and well-meaning bystanders that contribute to problems. There may be something wrong with you if you continue to blame others for the problems you see and experience in society. I don't see those problems at all where I live, and I assure you I am neither so isolated or rich to not have to care. It is all in your outlook and if you continue to look for problems then that is what you will experience. Instead, I look for opportunities and offer the vision hope to those who may not see it at one point in time. It is nothing special. It is just being responsible, that's all......

[sharkman]

That's an odd response, you've defended yourself and your children as if I was attacking you! I was not, nor did I even imagine such a thing, I didn't even know whether you had any. Have you heard the expression, "He protests too loudly!" But I see where you are coming from. You think that everyone is good. There is no problem. What problem?

I used to work with some rough customers in construction. One guy operated pot grow ops and had a pit bull he trained to attack at his finger point. He said the only way he could pull the dog off the person who was being ripped to shreds was to stick a finger in the dog's rectum. Other fellows would spit on Hindus as the truck drove by. Still others would work stoned and I had to avoid them. I'm sure you can explain this all away, but what about these people. Don't they have to take responsibility for their actions/decisions in life? I know, blamers like me are just awful, aren't we?

You seem to have lived a sheltered life without hate or evil and that is good. But unfortunately it has skewed your view of the reality of our society. Maybe ignorance is bliss after all.

[charter.rights]

That's an odd response, you've defended yourself and your children as if I was attacking you! I was not, nor did I even imagine such a thing, I didn't even know whether you had any. Have you heard the expression, "He protests too loudly!" But I see where you are coming from. You think that everyone is good. There is no problem. What problem?

I used to work with some rough customers in construction. One guy operated pot grow ops and had a pit bull he trained to attack at his finger point. He said the only way he could pull the dog off the person who was being ripped to shreds was to stick a finger in the dog's rectum. Other fellows would spit on Hindus as the truck drove by. Still others would work stoned and I had to avoid them. I'm sure you can explain this all away, but what about these people. Don't they have to take responsibility for their actions/decisions in life? I know, blamers like me are just awful, aren't we?

You seem to have lived a sheltered life without hate or evil and that is good. But unfortunately it has skewed your view of the reality of our society. Maybe ignorance is bliss after all.

"....but what about these people."

But what about them. If you quit worrying about them an instead concentrated on your own life, you could see them for what they really are....lost.

If a guy wants to stick his finger up some schnauzer's butt, what is it to you? He hurts no one. There is no social moral decay. There is a guy that is telling you some story that you buy hook, line and sinker and then you attempt to judge him as if you hold some moral high ground. Pay attention. If it bothers you than don't do as he does and while you're at it remember that the next time you need to scratch your ass.....

I led anything but a sheltered life my friend and have probably had many more experiences then you will eer dream of in your entire lifetime. I choose not to focus on judging and condemning people because it is a waste of time. Rather it is easier to get off my own butt and change a light bulb than it is to sit and complain about how dark it is in the room. Complaining about an inconsiderate janitor is senseless. Doing nothing just keeps you in the dark about what is really going on in life.

Ah but then again I have no need or desire to see car accidents, or witness others getting hurt, so consequently I never see that stuff. It just never happens when I am around.

Look up synchronicity, and "intention". You will always get whats coming to you because that is the extent of your thinking. It you don't intend to hit your thumb with a hammer, then don'

t do it in the first place. There are no random acts and no unexpected events. You dreamed them all.

[sharkman]

"....but what about these people."

But what about them. If you quit worrying about them an instead concentrated on your own life, you could see them for what they really are....lost.

If a guy wants to stick his finger up some schnauzer's butt, what is it to you? He hurts no one. There is no social moral decay. There is a guy that is telling you some story that you buy hook, line and sinker and then you attempt to judge him as if you hold some moral high ground. Pay attention. If it bothers you than don't do as he does and while you're at it remember that the next time you need to scratch your ass.....

I led anything but a sheltered life my friend and have probably had many more experiences then you will eer dream of in your entire lifetime. I choose not to focus on judging and condemning people because it is a waste of time. Rather it is easier to get off my own butt and change a light bulb than it is to sit and complain about how dark it is in the room. Complaining about an inconsiderate janitor is senseless. Doing nothing just keeps you in the dark about what is really going on in life.

Ah but then again I have no need or desire to see car accidents, or witness others getting hurt, so consequently I never see that stuff. It just never happens when I am around.

Look up synchronicity, and "intention". You will always get whats coming to you because that is the extent of your thinking. It you don't intend to hit your thumb with a hammer, then don'

t do it in the first place. There are no random acts and no unexpected events. You dreamed them all.

I am not worried about 'them', I am concerned about our society. You are obviously blind to see nothing wrong with where we are going. We HAVE to be aware of what's going on around us, only a selfish self centered person wants to only be concerned with himself, especially when your own life is going well and you have something to offer those who are 'lost', as you put it.

As for your janitor example, you are agreeing with me and don't even realize it. You have to judge that something is wrong and that the light bulb is not working before you can get off your butt to fix it. But then you say it's no good to judge good or bad in others or society. You are trying to have it both ways. This is hypocritical.

As to your response to my druggie co-worker, are you serious? You say what is it to me about the guy who sticks his finger in the rectum of a pit bull to stop it from ripping to shreds a human being? You say he hurts no one?( Please note, these were not mere stories) You can't seem to comprehend that he hurts the people the dog attacks. Other co-workers saw him sic the pit bull on his own father. I can see why you would doubt it, it's easier to pretend bad people don't exist. There's no rapists or murderers or men who beat their wives/children either. You make me laugh. I suppose we shouldn't judge them either? What is it to us, right? Now I'll give you a line you will no doubt laugh at: All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. You, my friend, are part of a huge problem in Canada who would do nothing when an old lady gets knocked down by a purse snatcher. I'm embarrassed for you.

So take your kids to every function under the sun and buy them all the things you could not have when their age so that when they get married they think their spouse is supposed to treat them the way their parents did. Tell me how that works out in 15 years when you're raising their kids.

I wish I hadn't wasted these posts on you, but since there was a couple of people earlier who agreed with me, maybe they and others will benefit.

Edited May 2, 2009 by sharkman

[charter.rights]

I am not worried about 'them', I am concerned about our society. You are obviously blind to see nothing wrong with where we are going. We HAVE to be aware of what's going on around us, only a selfish self centered person wants to only be concerned with himself, especially when your own life is going well and you have something to offer those who are 'lost', as you put it.

As for your janitor example, you are agreeing with me and don't even realize it. You have to judge that something is wrong and that the light bulb is not working before you can get off your butt to fix it. But then you say it's no good to judge good or bad in others or society. You are trying to have it both ways. This is hypocritical.

As to your response to my druggie co-worker, are you serious? You say what is it to me about the guy who sticks his finger in the rectum of a pit bull to stop it from ripping to shreds a human being? You say he hurts no one?( Please note, these were not mere stories) You can't seem to comprehend that he hurts the people the dog attacks. Other co-workers saw him sic the pit bull on his own father. I can see why you would doubt it, it's easier to pretend bad people don't exist. There's no rapists or murderers or men who beat their wives/children either. You make me laugh. I suppose we shouldn't judge them either? What is it to us, right? Now I'll give you a line you will no doubt laugh at: All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. You, my friend, are part of a huge problem in Canada who would do nothing when an old lady gets knocked down by a purse snatcher. I'm embarrassed for you.

So take your kids to every function under the sun and buy them all the things you could not have when their age so that when they get married they think their spouse is supposed to treat them the way their parents did. Tell me how that works out in 15 years when you're raising their kids.

I wish I hadn't wasted these posts on you, but since there was a couple of people earlier who agreed with me, maybe they and others will benefit.

You still don't get it and probably never will. You are concerned with everyone but yourself.

I'm isn't self centred. I'm is self-fulfilled. Gratitude and responsibility are more important things than slamming some janitor about a broken light bulb on a sunny day. That's the problem with you do-gooders. You are too often beating up on other's kids while yours are sneaking around in the night raping and stealing for excitement.

If you are a partner in the assault of someone's spouse, then by all means it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to intervene to try to calm the situation. It is none of your business however, if they are people who live down the end of the street and you heard from a friend of a friend that he beats his wife. Just make sure that you don't beat your own wife or kids, and instead provide a safe haven for those kids who might come to your seeking refuge and your guidance. I can tell you I have been far more effective at stopping violence just being available then you have in participating in all the back room chatter that goes on about such things.

Yes, you really are wasting your time, since it is likely you will continue on criticizing the innocent and ignoring the guilty. The shame is all yours.

Edited May 2, 2009 by charter.rights

[sharkman]

And then you go and judge me after saying how wrong it is! Maybe you've learned something after all.

[Oleg Bach]

Last year I did some volunteer work close to the U of T campus...I did notice one thing that has changed in the last 30 years - gone are the bright and well breed students - put the system aside...they really don't have much to work with these days - the human quality of the student has declined - every cleaning ladies son and butchers daughter all want to be highly educated professionals...and the corporations are getting exactly want they want...drones!

[catterinax]

So much of where we are today is a result of rampant consumerism. Face it, ever since the end of WWII and especially since mind control techniques were studied during the Korean and Vietnam wars, advertising has been increasingly sophisticated and the general population more and more led by the nose.

We don't need to buy more stuff to be happy. Why don't we look to the people around us.

[Oleg Bach]

I am a highschool drop out who loved to learn - and continued to study on my own....I have no formal degree and I am considered stupified on paper - A few years ago I took on a writing partner for a project that took over a year to complete - He had a number of degrees - I found out that he was illiterate and could barely spell...loved to drink beer though....he was not very smart - but on paper he made me look like his inferiour - when in truth he was mine - as for Phds.....most are so overly instutionalized that they are intellectually and socially dysfunctional - I am not impressed with our system...it breeds drones. There are no leaders emerging out of the sytem - and those capapable of leading don't have the so-called credentials.

[sharkman]

I recently read a phrase, in a novel of all things, that encapsulates what you experienced.

Some are not fools, but are burdened with the certainty that comes with too much education.