As a history nerd, this is exactly how I feel. I continue on my journey through academia, in spite of hearing that this isn’t of value, isn’t a commodity, isn’t a real pursuit. It’s a real pursuit because I am, in fact, pursuing it. Humanities are overlooked, downplayed, or (at worst) ignored. I’m happy to contribute in a small room of people who share my passion, who see the world the way that I do. Amazing read! Thank you so much.
Danny, I love your analogy to Christian churches trying to appeal to a younger audience by playing Christian rock and creating a mega-church with a stage and spotlights. It feels like a desperate stretch to convince kids that church is cool. I think if you find yourself trying to persuade someone that something has value, you have already lost. The humanities, as well as much of the canon, is timeless and should be treated with more reverence.
Thanks Adrian. Yea, I really do think that it’s folly to try and chase coolness. You will never compete with the forces that consumer capitalism produces, no matter what. In the end, you end up distorting and undermining the thing you’re trying to save. Glad it resonated!
These are some great thoughts here. I've just entered the door of academia with my AMST Masters and have taken all my theory and pedagogy classes. It seems like students actually want to have their class be made relevant to them, the thing is is that it already is relevant because it's knowledge. Instead of hammering down why the course is important (even though it is) is telling the students what effective tools or skills the class will give them. That's like teaching 101 obviously but I thought it was neat.
Otherwise tobyour final points I could not agree more. The return of the analog is an important and noticeable shift. Despite the digitizing world, the physical and material will always be the backbone to constantly come back to. The over reliance on tech in the university is great for accessibility, but also a hindrance for students who don't have access to personal devices or those who do not wish to use them in class. This semester I started out being the only student in my cohort taking notes in a notebook, I had to buy a laptop because the prof assigned too many online in class assignments, there was no way I'd keep up otherwise.
Good for you Joseph! And I agree. I still have no problem with people pursuing advanced degrees, but only if they are primarily seeking knowledge. If the end is instrumental (in whatever form) something important is lost. Best of luck to you!
Storing fragments against the ruins. Nice work, Danny!
Doing what we can!
As a history nerd, this is exactly how I feel. I continue on my journey through academia, in spite of hearing that this isn’t of value, isn’t a commodity, isn’t a real pursuit. It’s a real pursuit because I am, in fact, pursuing it. Humanities are overlooked, downplayed, or (at worst) ignored. I’m happy to contribute in a small room of people who share my passion, who see the world the way that I do. Amazing read! Thank you so much.
Corinne, thanks so much and it's so great to hear that I'm not alone in this thing!
Great essay
I'd also add -it might be there won't be electricity for some time. Always better to save records.
Exactly! Keep a copy of the analog things!
Danny, I love your analogy to Christian churches trying to appeal to a younger audience by playing Christian rock and creating a mega-church with a stage and spotlights. It feels like a desperate stretch to convince kids that church is cool. I think if you find yourself trying to persuade someone that something has value, you have already lost. The humanities, as well as much of the canon, is timeless and should be treated with more reverence.
Thanks Adrian. Yea, I really do think that it’s folly to try and chase coolness. You will never compete with the forces that consumer capitalism produces, no matter what. In the end, you end up distorting and undermining the thing you’re trying to save. Glad it resonated!
These are some great thoughts here. I've just entered the door of academia with my AMST Masters and have taken all my theory and pedagogy classes. It seems like students actually want to have their class be made relevant to them, the thing is is that it already is relevant because it's knowledge. Instead of hammering down why the course is important (even though it is) is telling the students what effective tools or skills the class will give them. That's like teaching 101 obviously but I thought it was neat.
Otherwise tobyour final points I could not agree more. The return of the analog is an important and noticeable shift. Despite the digitizing world, the physical and material will always be the backbone to constantly come back to. The over reliance on tech in the university is great for accessibility, but also a hindrance for students who don't have access to personal devices or those who do not wish to use them in class. This semester I started out being the only student in my cohort taking notes in a notebook, I had to buy a laptop because the prof assigned too many online in class assignments, there was no way I'd keep up otherwise.
Good for you Joseph! And I agree. I still have no problem with people pursuing advanced degrees, but only if they are primarily seeking knowledge. If the end is instrumental (in whatever form) something important is lost. Best of luck to you!