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Going to university does not broaden the mind

economist.com

21–30 of 293 posts

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#22
post #11

As with many things, probably has a ton to do with the specific student. University broadened my mind incredibly and I’m quite thankful for it. But then, I tended towards multidisciplinary programs with subjects I didn’t naturally excel at. And I had good professors and smart peers.

Taking up those subjects which make you uncomfortable is very important. And of course, multidisciplinary.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#23
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A cynical view is that US universities teaches you the opinions and manners you need to assume your role in the ruling class.

It is literally the exact opposite. The ratio of leftist to right professors in university is 12:1, even more pronounced among faculty. 1 out of 5 professors in America identify as Marxist.

Whoa! I used ti lean left and professors tilted left, I hadn’t noticed it was so pronounced.

I gotta think they are more idealists than bona fide marxists though; I mean, if they read enough, they must know the drill (they wouldn’t have influence and any countertevolutionary ideas and they are sent off).

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#24
post #17
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, that’s the polar opposite of my experience (the “lacking a questioning mind” bit). Maybe you’re in the wrong program or studying a major that doesn’t fit your intellectual needs? (Added later...) I don’t know what you’re studying. And I know philosophy and fine arts programs get shat on sometimes, but one thing those subjects allow (when taught properly) is a very, very deep questioning and thoughtfulness toward…

I was in Engineering, then Applied Math, now in computer science. I don't do well in university style math classes. It takes me a long time working through something to understand what is happening (and why - the why of a thing is one of the first questions I ask when I'm learning something new). It takes me about twice as long to learn a math concept as my peers (or so it seems). But I'm typically the first to speak…

>>It takes me about twice as long to learn a math concept as my peers (or so it seems). But I'm typically the first to speak up during a lecture.

This is actually an excellent habit, and you should nurture it as much as you can. It looks like you have done a careful SWOT analysis, and thats the way to go.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#25
post #18
post #3

Outside of specific academic focus, nearly everyone I know who has graduated a US university thinks basically the same way.

Jeff Schmidt's book "Disciplined Minds" is a great read about this kind of thing -- http://disciplinedminds.tripod.com/ Here's some discussion from a review of Disciplined Minds by Brian Martin: > Jeff Schmidt provides an answer in his book Disciplined Minds: professionals, including teachers, are selected and molded to have politically and intellectually subordinate attitudes, thereby making their creative energies…

> He cites opinion polls taken during the Vietnam war showing that support for the war was greater among those with more higher education.

If support for the war was lower among the less education, does this mean the less educated do not think as independently?

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#28
post #11

As with many things, probably has a ton to do with the specific student. University broadened my mind incredibly and I’m quite thankful for it. But then, I tended towards multidisciplinary programs with subjects I didn’t naturally excel at. And I had good professors and smart peers.

I dropped out - I’m a fairly successful and happy computer engineer.

Generally anti-college in terms of 13th grade, but I agree this depends entirely on the student.

I was bored to tears with the entry computer science, but really liked anthropology and geolgogy. Seems like they were mind-broadening.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#29
post #3

Outside of specific academic focus, nearly everyone I know who has graduated a US university thinks basically the same way.

There is a huge diversity of thought in university graduates. The extreme rightward shift in conservative mindset in the US over the past two decades means that everybody left of "maybe owning slaves is ok" gets uniformly labeled "liberal" or "leftist" in 2018.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#30
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A cynical view is that US universities teaches you the opinions and manners you need to assume your role in the ruling class.

It is literally the exact opposite. The ratio of leftist to right professors in university is 12:1, even more pronounced among faculty. 1 out of 5 professors in America identify as Marxist.

Marxist, so even more in favor of a ruling class above all.
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