Liz Coleman's call to reinvent liberal arts education

I loved this message, I thought that it was eloquent and articulate. But like many of the commentators I struggle with the presentation. It is weak and remarkably limp. It does need to be redone with proper passion and emphasis. The lady is obviously struggling to get the message out while the techniques she has at her command are pitifully undercharged. I read all the comments. hasatum is an adversarial dork and tristramshandy fell into his swamp of ego baiting. Ain't Ted Talks great 5stars

Are we reading the same posts? I fail to address your arguments and I am uncivil?

ALL I have done is address your arguments- which I find to be WRONG

Seriously, are we reading the same posts Are you sure you aren't reading someone else's posts and thinking they are mine?

I'm truly not sure what you are talking about when you make such baseless claims

I think you are just avoiding the uncomfortable truth that you DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT

Time to hike in the mountains
Viva life!

LOL. OK, here goes:

First, I tried to stay on topic by reiterating the main point that we were talking about inherent versus instrumental value. You ignored this.

Next, unable or unwilling to supply further argument, you tried insulting my intelligence in a round about way. That is regarded by most as very uncivil.

Finally, angered by the fact that I pointed out your basic sense of insecurity, you cry with teenage angst that I "don't know what I'm talking about."

Please, grow up.

OK I get it- you have nothing of value to say, so you are playing defense. Wonderful.

I will go on teaching the classics to students because it is practical and will help improve their lives tremendously; as it has mine.

You can go on thinking of Socrates as a pedophile and of Aristotle and Shakespeare as useless in today's world.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I have to conclude that your opinion is not based on extensive experience actually reading the things you say are worthless.

I have been uncivil in many u-tube debates. This was not one of them.

I never argued that the classics were useless or worthless. You are putting words in my mouth. I would have thought the fact that I said I minored in philosophy would have disavailed you of that belief. Perhaps the fact that I majored in English will further convince you? I did say that Socrates was a pedophile because that is true. I must admit I have a preference for true statements. I'm also glad to see you realize you have a problem with being uncivil in debates. That's a start at least.

you said that people 1,000 years ago weren't well educated, and that in 1,000 years, I would be considered a brute. That clearly implies that old writings do not maintain their relevancy.

You are absolutely wrong about that. The genius of Socrates would be JUST as important in today's world as it was in Athens.

I'm glad you realize how off-putting your pretentious self-righteousness is.

Have a great life.
Go read and understand history!
It is our only defense.

Clearly you aren't listening. Go and reread this thread's history. You have no defense.

Clearly you aren't worth listening to. And you are uncivil. :)

I shall continue teaching the classics.
I suspect you are probably female, and feel slighted by history's lack of representation.

It happens.
Get over it.

I'm jewish. The classics aren't very nice to me either, but I deal with it.

Have a GREAT life. This poor excuse for the exchange of ideas is officially OVER :)

YAY!!!!!!

I'm sure you are happy to end this. I'm also gratified by your apparent lack of insight into my background and I certainly don't give a damn whether you're Jewish or not. I wouldn't call this an exchange of ideas since you still insist on ignoring arguments and making ridiculous sarcastic smirks.

I feel sympathy for your students. It makes me wonder: Is this vitriol really just you venting frustration over your students' apathy towards your classes? I hope you can tell me otherwise.