Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Free tuition at US public Universities?

I am confused.

On the one hand, some people here are arguing against subsidizing "pretty" areas like the liberal arts that can "brainwash feeble-minded people." Hmm. There is also an argument to take "personal responsibility" for your own education, regardless of major --- getting something for free (or for too little) can devalue it in the mind of the recipient! On top of that, China is held up as having the correct focus on higher education (engineering, science!). Students know that they have to study the right subjects so as to optimize their "job prospect [sic]," and they know that.

But... university fees in China are heavily subsidized by the government. People there don't even need loans!! Well, how can their students succeed if they aren't taking "personal responsibility?" Why aren't people there devaluing a university degree?

I am doubly confused because China has a public institution called the Central Academy of Drama. This place is apparently pretty prestigious. Why would such sensible people subsidize something as frivolous as drama and even hold it in high regard? What about job prospect? It makes no sense.

Triply confusing is that the liberal arts and humanities are important in the Chinese university education model. Hmm. Hmm. And then there is this shocking statement:


Why would so many countries (including tech powerhouses China and India) be adding fluffy things like liberal arts to their curricula, when this area is so pointless? Hmm. Hmm. Maybe Ms. Lawrence made up all those references.

Or, maybe...

...something else is going on. Like maybe setting standards and valuing different areas of human endeavor.