The academic "ghetto"

Submitted by Monty (United Kingdom), Nov 16, 2002 at 04:32

Surely the campus itself can be part of the problem, if it presents itself as a cosy sanctuary for attitudes and statements which would attract ridicule, disgust, and contempt in the outside world. There is a very powerful and insidious myth of superiority through intellect, and it undermines the established notions of acceptable behaviour which prevail in the community at large. Fortunately for the students, their exposure to this is fleeting, and they are then flung into the broader society of working stiffs, a rude awakening indeed. ( Personally, I remember it well. It was the biggest shock I ever had.)

This is why, ultimately, these maligning influences are bound to fail in the long term. We shouldn't be complacent, but we shouldn't panic either.

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