As our recent writings on the subject would attest, we are in full agreement with those American citizens, who attribute the Nation’s current proclivity to contentious divisiveness, to its pronounced, educational divide. In our immediately, previous essay, # 934 “MOROSE BIRTHDAY,” we made reference to several resultant, impediments to the enlightened and appropriate functioning of our Democratic Republic. Much of the latter, is the ultimate effect of citizens, misguided by a limited or skewed perception of reality, based upon their own sheer lack of knowledge, and/or the persuasive influence of an effective, demagogic dissimulator, such as Donald J. Trump.
We have always maintained, that the ultimate strength and success of a Nation, is not based upon its readily available, mineral or power resources, nor its political geography, but, in empirical, fact, on the enlightened nature and quality of its people. To this point, we have previously cited by example, 20th Century Germany; the latter, a relatively, small or medium-sized Nation, which, by virtue of a literate, easily, mobilized population, came perilously, close to the conquest of the entire World. It may be worth, again contextually, observing, that America, unfortunately, scores well behind other developed Nations in the province of education. The Nation would seem to insufficiently recognize that, existential success and desired strength, is dependent on evincing the highest possible, level of citizen education.
In our immediately, preceding writing, “BRIDGING THE GAP, #927, we offered various possible suggestions, as perceived by us to achieve salubrious outcomes in the amelioration of the Nation’s present state of unhealthy divisiveness and consequent contention; the latter (domestic) phenomenon, as stated, being founded on the Nation’s wide educational disparity. Such aspirational improvement in education would, perforce, do additional yeoman’s service in the re-establishment of America’s traditional high standing among the Nations.
Foundationally, the realization that the Nation has, in our view foolishly, chosen to replace “community” with technology, utilizing technological, systems as a proxy for normal, interactive interaction, is among the basic and harmful factors, eternally charged by us, such as the tragic loss of humanistic and desirable features of mutual recognition and reaffirmation of identity, spontaneity of response, facility of personal and nuanced expression, the avenue for free and simultaneous exchange of thoughts and timely, reports of information, thus, hobbling, meaningful interaction and the utilization of reason. As maintained in earlier writings, this aberration is proximately, responsible for the meaninglessness of interaction, loss of nuanced, self-identity and for feelings of insularity, often, (especially, in the young), resulting in depression and anxiety. By salubrious, contrast, meaningful, spontaneous and fully, expressive, interaction, is healthier, more satisfactory and rewarding; a salient advantage of the latter is the utilized, innate capacity, to think and learn. The most desirable phenomenon would be public debate between informed and authoritative contestants, as foreseen by the Founders.
Society has, to its profound regret, has, in general, irresponsibly, failed to promote learning and enlightenment and the prized goal of self-improvement. Academic activity, even when recognized as important, is more often than not, valued in the limited context of future career and employment. Thus, mechanical engineering students study to become mechanical engineers, would-be accountants, emphasize disciplines related to finance and accounting. Happily, some discerning and responsible, institutions of higher learning, mandate core curricula, encompassing the classic courses of study (such as languages, art, history, science, philosophy, English literature, mathematics and the like) to make learning an instrument of personal growth by way of a resultant, mature perception. The preparation for a professional skill should not exclude the basic growth and intellectual maturity of the student; if anything, the future professional will be a more thoughtful and understanding practitioner of his selected calling. Contextually, viewed, he will be a more valuable, fulfilled and enlightened citizen. The progress toward wisdom, in our view, in any setting, is the progress toward self-fulfillment and happiness for the individual citizen and the collective strength of a Nation.
For so long as we continue to see empty library reading rooms, and, contemporaneously, busses and trains with young people, intent on their mindless, video games, for as long as society continues to value the movie or television celebrity, and the professional athlete, far and away, above the academic achiever, the brilliant scientist, the sage philosopher or talented author, we will all be at a deficit in potential achievement and strength, and probably, from the point of view of Man’s unique potential capabilities, will deserve it.
-p.
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