Other than higher education, I try to stay clear of expressing any political views on this blog. In this comment on the campus protests, I’m going to try to not take any political side while I am going to point out how the deplorable state of “higher” education is an important factor in producing the problems arising with the protests.
Let’s pretend that the students are protesting the use of paper books. Maybe that is a good idea, but maybe it isn’t. It would take some research, reading, thought and open discussion to decide which side of the argument one should come down on. There would be questions. What resources are utilized in the production of paper books vs. digital? Which type of books? For example, maybe it’s better to have a historical atlas printed. There might be a lot of questions.
If students don’t have experience with real research and thought; if they haven’t had to write essays where they are graded seriously, and learn about flaws in their argument, many of which are well known and have been taught for generations; or, if they haven’t learned about flaws in their use of evidence, and really had to think through an issue, they will be lost in trying to confront the problem.
These students will be open to manipulation by sophisticated actors on both sides of the argument.
Maybe some representatives of large digital companies will hold “teach-ins” on campus, and hire professional “agitators” claiming just to be supporters of the “good” cause of getting rid of all paper books. Students could easily be manipulated by these actors.
It is also likely that book publishers will bring in their own “agitators” to oppose the evils of the digital companies.
Basically, poorly educated students, no matter how smart, will have to rely on their gut feel, which can be easily manipulated.
So, instead of, learning facts, having discussions with both sides represented with an understanding of the issues, as in a well-functioning democratic society, we will just have emotions.
That is the present state of affairs.
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