Lem

[Stephen J. Bobick]

"E. Boyle" wrote:
> A university education is no longer the prized
> possession of the very rich, the very privileged and the very erudite.

It also means less:  one can get one with less work and commitment.
Indeed, the term "dime a dozen" comes to mind when it comes to B.S.
degrees in many fields.

> Hate to tell ya, but that's democracy in action.

Perhaps this statement is true for your incomplete portrayel of the
situation.  However, I don't consider it to be the case that "democracy
in action" in university education necessarily effects a degradation in
the quality of that education.  We should be able to offer a
high-quality education to anyone who is willing to work for it, and not
drop to the lowest common denominator in the process.

> So I suggest we stop
> moaning about the sorry state of American culture (an opinion I don't
> share),

Fine, but many people disagree with your opinion.

> stop whining about how "kids today" are completely uncultured
> (they are not),

Again, your opinion.  And, BTW, you don't make your arguments or
opinions any stronger by characterizing your opponents opinions with
terms loaded with negative connotations like "moaning" and "whining".  I
can't speak for the other participants of this discussion, but I can
assure you that I am not "whining" or "moaning".  Indeed, I BENEFIT by
the low quality of education in this country.  It has afforded me a
high-paying job in the biotechnology industry as a computer programmer
-- a field where demand far outstrips supply, and quality workers, with
a strong education (especially language skills, incidentally) are
extremely difficult to come by.  So, I guess I should be a proponent of
the status quo, except I greatly fear the future of a world, should the
current education trends in the US continue.

-- Stephen Bobick

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