RE: Education (Was Re: Techwriting After the Boom)

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

>>You have stated your point of view from the perspective of an engineering
student. The world is a better and more interesting place because we have
engineers, but I >>hope you admit that there are other valid viewpoints.
>>The purpose of a liberal education is to help populate the world with educated
citizens who understand the value of technology and also understand its
relationship to the >>rest of society--science, politics, economics, art,
sociology, history--so that we work together toward some sort of social
equilibrium.

There are countless other valid view points. But how many liberal arts
teachers/programs are educating students on how to express their view points? In
high school and college I took a fair share of language/literature, humanities,
political science, journalism, economis and art courses. More often that not, I
passed these courses by being a pain in the teacher's butt through out the
semester and being told that my points of view were incorrect and then getting
perfect marks by regurgitating the teacher's "correct" viewpoint. In many
classes I particularily dogged my teachers as my answers were often what the
teacher said was true and then followed by my opinion. I kept my individuality
of thought because I had the courage to argue with teachers and justify that I
had learned THEIR view but they could not control my view. And as they were
POVs, none were the ultimate truth and much was in the eye of the beholder.
These courses, while based on ideas and philosophies are more often taught as
the truth with rather dogmatic fervor.
Even the rebelliousness of University campuses is IMO just an exercise in
conformity for the majority of students. You start out with your own views and
if you are lucky your views will match the prevalent views on campus. If they do
not, you learn how to comport yourself on campus (how to dress, visible support
for the cause-du-jour, where to hang out). Once you move to the real world, the
same happens. You conform as much as is required to the views/behaviours of the
majority to reach your level of comfort.

Eric L. Dunn



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