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Going to university does not broaden the mind

economist.com

91–100 of 293 posts

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#91
post #32

The title is a bit sensational. The bigger picture is in the first paragraph. > However, it was not the case that university broadened minds. Rather, work seemed to narrow them. Basically, going to university doesn't make your mind broader, but not going to university does result in a narrower mind.

I would advise reading the paper, if possible. It seems that this is the Economist's hot take from reading a few of the figures rather than the authors' conclusions.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#92
University definitely broadened my mind. I grew up in an area that was 99+% white and 50+% Jewish. We literally had “the black family” with twins who were our top track stars. And a few Asian families who hid their Asianness.

It was at University that I learned about Asian culture. It was the first time I used chopsticks. It was the first time I drank tea without sugar. It was the first time I ate Chinese food that wasn’t deep fried. It was the first time I had dim sum. I learned to understand people with heavy accents (it was the first time I’d ever met someone for whom English was a second language). It was where I learned the diffence between Chinese (north and south), Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese people.

It was also the first time I ever met someone who was home schooled, someone who a lesbian or pretty much anyone who wasn’t straight, other than the one openly gay kid in high school.

It was the first time I learned that making racist and homophobic jokes was not ok.

It was the first time I learned the girls can write code.

Without college I would probably be a racist and not believe that social programs are necessary.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#93
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure that Mark Twain didn't have today's tourists in mind, who are rushing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, calling themselves "traveller" instead of "tourist". To get from tourist to traveller, just add 8000km to any flight taken. I'm very glad that OP included "at least a year".

All the distance in the world means nothing if a traveler is still mentally tied to their home country. There's a good number of expats in [country] who hang out at Irish pubs with other expats, bitch about [country], and don't bother learning the language. You have to be willing to unmoor yourself, which I think deep down a lot of people aren't seeking to do.

I like the “unmoor” phrasing. Thank you :). To truly immerse oneself, primarily communicate in a language foreign to one’s country of origin, and eat local foods (no harm in indulging in foods from back home every once in a while). And give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#94
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure that Mark Twain didn't have today's tourists in mind, who are rushing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, calling themselves "traveller" instead of "tourist". To get from tourist to traveller, just add 8000km to any flight taken. I'm very glad that OP included "at least a year".

All the distance in the world means nothing if a traveler is still mentally tied to their home country. There's a good number of expats in [country] who hang out at Irish pubs with other expats, bitch about [country], and don't bother learning the language. You have to be willing to unmoor yourself, which I think deep down a lot of people aren't seeking to do.

You can say "English people in Portugal or Spain", and you've got a stereotype that's actually accurate.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#95
post #92

University definitely broadened my mind. I grew up in an area that was 99+% white and 50+% Jewish. We literally had “the black family” with twins who were our top track stars. And a few Asian families who hid their Asianness. It was at University that I learned about Asian culture. It was the first time I used chopsticks. It was the first time I drank tea without sugar. It was the first time I ate Chinese food that w…

[deleted]

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#96
post #92

University definitely broadened my mind. I grew up in an area that was 99+% white and 50+% Jewish. We literally had “the black family” with twins who were our top track stars. And a few Asian families who hid their Asianness. It was at University that I learned about Asian culture. It was the first time I used chopsticks. It was the first time I drank tea without sugar. It was the first time I ate Chinese food that w…

Why are social programs necessary?

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#97
In the formal setting of an educational institution you get to engage your mind in analytical and creative thinking in a variety of subjects and on daily basis. Such a consistent process does broaden the mind, for sure, but maybe not every mind and not under some circumstances.

The title comes across as controversial subjectivism for the sake of attracting attention.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#98
post #92

University definitely broadened my mind. I grew up in an area that was 99+% white and 50+% Jewish. We literally had “the black family” with twins who were our top track stars. And a few Asian families who hid their Asianness. It was at University that I learned about Asian culture. It was the first time I used chopsticks. It was the first time I drank tea without sugar. It was the first time I ate Chinese food that w…

Why are social programs necessary?

Because not everyone is born into the privilege necessary to “pull up their own bootstraps”. In fact it was on college that I learned a lot about libertarianism, and was a strong believer in pure capitolisim. As I’ve aged I’ve realized that it just doesn’t work.

Re: Going to university does not broaden the mind

#100
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain

I'm sure that Mark Twain didn't have today's tourists in mind, who are rushing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, calling themselves "traveller" instead of "tourist". To get from tourist to traveller, just add 8000km to any flight taken. I'm very glad that OP included "at least a year".

Actually, check out his book, "Innocents Abroad." It's a great travel native and lampoon of his cruising companions who manage to stay small-minded in a big world.
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