25 years old and deep in debt

[Ideologue]

Yeah, I think I have a good grasp on the basics of what retirement can offer.

[Ed Anger]

Hey, who is the naked jailbait in the painting?

[Ideologue]

OK, Camerus, I read your article.

It's an extremely long exercise in missing the point--there is little expectation on a return on investment to study of the liberal arts, yet we, as individuals, should invest in it, indebting ourselves so we can be exposed to works readily available at the public library, museums, and bookstores, if not immediately available for free online.  Is loving books (paintings, movies, buildings, poems) simply impossible without doing it within the confines of a curriculum and enforced study?  To put it mildly, I don't concede the point.  And even if that were the case, then we have decided that they are not worth being loved, and certainly not worth tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money that may or may not be paid back on the wages of unskilled drudge labor.

Also, this line stuck out to me:

These statements and others on how the humanities foster critical thinking, cultivate Information Economy skills, help enact social change, resist utilitarianism in human affairs

Everything wrong with the liberal arts establishment is encapsulated in the idea that there is something wrong with utilitarianism in human affairs.

[CountDeMoney]

Yeah, I think I have a good grasp on the basics of what retirement can offer.

Yeah, like we have a good grasp on the basics of country club membership.  Unless you're in the proper social class, it's all rumor.

[Ed Anger]

HEY NOW

[Ideologue]

Yeah, I think I have a good grasp on the basics of what retirement can offer.

Yeah, like we have a good grasp on the basics of country club membership.  Unless you're in the proper social class, it's all rumor.

Well, I meant to imply that retirement is pretty much being old in addition to being unemployed and destitute, and therefore all I have to do is imagine being old.

Which is less and less difficult every year.

[CountDeMoney]

Everything wrong with the liberal arts establishment is encapsulated in the idea that there is something wrong with utilitarianism in human affairs.

You'd do very well at Mao Zedong University.

[The Brain]

Where does the myth come from about humanities and critical thinking?

[Ideologue]

Where does the myth come from about humanities and critical thinking?

Humanities teachers and fellow travelers.

They have infiltrated this very forum.

[Josquius]

I know I'm never going to retire. Pensions mean nothing to me. I'll have to rely on the traditional retirement means of leeching off kids.
Assuming of course I decide to live that long.

[CountDeMoney]

Where does the myth come from about humanities and critical thinking?

Humanities teachers and fellow travelers.

They have infiltrated this very forum.

Right, because the Empiricism Only Parking permit holders are the ones that have it all figured out.

[Camerus]

OK, Camerus, I read your article.

It's an extremely long exercise in missing the point--there is little expectation on a return on investment to study of the liberal arts, yet we, as individuals, should invest in it, indebting ourselves so we can be exposed to works readily available at the public library, museums, and bookstores, if not immediately available for free online.  Is loving books (paintings, movies, buildings, poems) simply impossible without doing it within the confines of a curriculum and enforced study?  To put it mildly, I don't concede the point.  And even if that were the case, then we have decided that they are not worth being loved, and certainly not worth tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money that may or may not be paid back on the wages of unskilled drudge labor.

Also, this line stuck out to me:

These statements and others on how the humanities foster critical thinking, cultivate Information Economy skills, help enact social change, resist utilitarianism in human affairs

Everything wrong with the liberal arts establishment is encapsulated in the idea that there is something wrong with utilitarianism in human affairs.

Oh, I agree it is a rather aristocratic argument, because it basically assumes income isn't a big issue for the degree taker.  As a caveat, I'd add unless you're going to an elite institution, it's probably best to study something more practical, like business, computer science or plumbing.

[garbon]

How many people, particularly those not going to college, are availing themselves of public libraries, museums, bookstores and "free online" sources such in the manner that the author was suggesting? Reading Teen Paranormal Romance probably doesn't suffice.

[Neil]

Where does the myth come from about humanities and critical thinking?

Humanities teachers and fellow travelers.

They have infiltrated this very forum.

Of course they have.  Law is a part of the Humanities.

[Eddie Teach]

How many people, particularly those not going to college, are availing themselves of public libraries, museums, bookstores and "free online" sources such in the manner that the author was suggesting? Reading Teen Paranormal Romance probably doesn't suffice.

Anne Rice taught me everything I need to know about vampires. And about 13 year old witches seducing their grandfathers.