In the immediately preceding writing, we expressed our optimistic belief that, analogous to Sir Isaac Newton’s declaration that “For every action, there is an equal corresponding action,” the existing dystopia of the Trump Administration would be met by an equal return force (of citizens) restoring the traditional character of our Democratic Republic. We noted the current advent of instances evincing such dynamic reaction that have already manifested themselves.
In this writing, we are concerned with a more enduring, universal problem related to the future of Mankind’s developmental progress, or his atavistic regression, a subject of universal concern, historically predating the dystopian Trump Presidency and certain to persist long afterward.
In recent years, we have learned from conversations with academics who teach at universities and from startling essays of expert educators appearing in “The Atlantic” and “The American Scholar,” that the intellectual quality of today’s college students have degraded; that the desire for higher education for the sake of personal enlightenment and the development of a mature perception has waned in favor of securing a college degree as requisite to the acquisition of a good job. It has been revealed that the capability and inclination to read books and write essays are limited; that the salutary quality of intellectual curiosity is anachronistic. We regard this all-pervasive tragedy as shocking and extremely worrisome.
It has been the principal theme of this blogspace that enlightenment, particularly through the study of the humanities, leads to a mature understanding of oneself and the ambient World and makes for a fulfilled life experience. Under all of our 1,300 writings, the respective themes, expressly or impliedly, are founded in the desire to encourage personal growth and the attainment of a sense of fulfillment through reading and learning, on a personal and institutional basis. The aspiration for true success is attained by the result of the individual’s development of understanding and a mature perspective.
The subject is also one relating to the success and endurance of the Nation, as a correlating benefit. The existential importance of a sophisticated and knowledgeable population was again demonstrated by our World War 2 enemy, Germany. This small to medium-sized country came close to conquering the World, by reason of its educated and easily mobilized population. In our view, Germany’s power was in its human resources, far more than its natural resources and horrific armaments. It seems to be proven by history that the most cogent and effective National resource is its people.
In the search for personal growth and, more universally, National character, the enlightened citizen has not only provided for himself the opportunity for a fulfilling life, but, additionally, in the National context, an existentially vital citizen. The populist, unfulfilling preference for video games, rather than reading good literature, smartphones, in place of natural and satisfying personal interaction, has empirically and destructively, led to a generally dumbed-down, solitary, and insecure population of little utility to themselves and minimal utility to the Nation; they do not swim forward, their propensity and singular persona is handicapped and limited to the minimal dynamics of treading water in place. Relevantly, Thomas Jefferson presciently admonished that for a democracy to be successful, it requires an educated and well-informed population.
Conceivably, the Nation might convene a comprehensive program of study and recommendations of knowledgeable educators and psychologists to ascertain a utilitarian route to a more enlightened and knowledge-seeking student population. For starters, the holiday gifting of good literature to children rather than video games might be a cogent starting place,
-p.
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