Michael R. Bloomberg’s “Don’t Major in Intolerance.” Delivered at Harvard University. (Via Z.C.) William H. McRaven’s “Life Lessons From Navy SEAL Training.” Delivered at the University of Texas at Austin.
Two fine commencement addresses: Bloomberg and McRaven Read More »
“If he [the student] embraces the opinions of Xenophon and Plato by his own reasoning, they will no longer be theirs but his. Who follows another follows nothing. He finds nothing, and indeed is seeking nothing. ‘We are not under a king; each man should look after himself.’ Truth and reason are common to all
Montaigne on educating for independence Read More »
I will be visiting the University of Casimir the Great in Bydgoszcz, Poland, to give two education-related talks: Thursday, May 15: Educating for Entrepreneurship. Friday, May 16: Doctoral Seminar on The Question of Education and Postmodern Thought. Many thanks to Professor Piotr Kostyło for the invitation to speak with his students and colleagues. Of course
Two upcoming talks at University of Casimir the Great Read More »
In the wake of a recent wave of controversial thinkers being disinvited* from universities, here is a classic quotation from Yale historian C. Vann Woodward on true education: “The purpose of the university is not to make its members feel secure, content, or good about themselves, but to provide a forum for the new, the
Real education — Woodward versus Brandeis and Azusa Pacific universities Read More »
Tony Martelli’s The Sleepwalker has generated a large number of protests about its patriarchal nature. Journalists at Slate and The Wall Street Journal have more coverage. Students at Wellesley College have complained about how the statue triggers in them fears of sexual assault, white privilege, male privilege, oppression, and other very bad things. Feminism should
Wellesley sculpture protests are not feminist Read More »
Hal Gregersen, co-author of The Innovator’s DNA (Harvard Business Review Press, 2011), identifies the often-shared traits of innovators, but then makes this striking point about how the innovative became innovative: “‘It’s fascinating when we interview these famous entrepreneurs to realise that they grew up in worlds where adults paid attention to these innovation skills.’ Most
The Innovator’s DNA — and Montessori education Read More »
A survey asked students: What obstacles prevent your academic success? “The number one reason, which was given by 33% of the students, was that they simply didn’t know how to study.” More obstacles and solutions at The Art of Manliness site.
Study advice for the new semester Read More »
Two data points and a question: 1. This graph showing the dramatic 80% reduction in the world poverty rate over the last 40 years: 2. This Gapminder survey showing that 95% of Americans asked believe that poverty rates have stayed the same or increased: The question: What explains the great discrepancy between reality and belief?
Poverty reduction and public awareness Read More »