I agree with what he is saying. I see humanities as one of those studies that pertains to all aspects in life, similar to psychology and sociology. Due to the current economic crisis, many fields are neglected because they do not bring huge paychecks but money is not all that matters in life. I really liked John Addams' quote mentioned in the video: "It's not about how to make a living, its about how to live."
I agree with the majority of what he is saying. I believe that people should be able to do what in their lives, especially related to their careers, but I think he over simplifies the problem. It is not as simple as people being able to do exactly what they want to do with their lives. People have responsibilities and may need job stability. He says that even with a Humanities major you will get a good job, but these are people from Stanford right? So the prestige in the name of the school they went to might increase their chances of getting a good job. Many college graduates are now taking jobs they are overqualified for because the horrible job climate. I like his optimism, but is it realistic?
Laura- great point about the institutional name playing a role. We must remember that his speech is functioning in a context and the speaker is directing his attention at a particular audience. That audience might be too small given that his lecture is being taped and can be found readily on Youtube. The question of who are you addressing is something to consider when creating a message. What do you mean though by "doing exactly what you want to do"? Do you mean in life or as a major? Does choosing your major reflect a career path? Do most majors train you for a profession? There are really few vocational tracks; most teach students skills that they can use in many different fields. That's what I get when he says "make you who you are." An education can make you a very narrow minded person, singularly focused on a job in a particular field, or it can expand your mind. And the latter is what he's advocating for. I don't think he questions that money is an unimportant factor. He certainly admits to the opposite early in his lecture. Is there idealism in his words? Sure. And is this a longer conversation? Absolutely. But at the core is the question of what is the purpose of college. Is it to get a job or is it to learn about yourself and be able to then capably navigate through the world.
I agree with what he is saying. I think that we should use the four years spent in college finding out more about ourselves but, I also agree with Laura point about responsibilities. When people go to college, they are trying to prepare themselves for a career that will earn them enough money to support themselves and their family. I know that college can be a great time to try to find out what you would like to study and that people shouldn't focus on how much money they will make, but we got to put food on the table and with the current economic crisis going on, it's going to be difficult for people to get a job after college if the government keep making cuts on programs that will help people.
What’s the point of life if you’re not living it right? What good will money do if you’re not happy? I’m a true believer in the saying “money does not buy you happiness.” Of course I may be biased since my major is in the humanities department, but I agree with him. He is not addressing this conversation to everyone. He is addressing this lecture to those decide on their major based on a salary instead of choosing an education based on their passions.
This video really spoke to me, particularly when he speaks about not following what your parents think is a good career for you and instead, to discover and follow what you want to do. I've always had the mentality of pursuing the career that makes you happy and feel fulfilled, but now a days, my thoughts seem to clash with the reality of society. It seems rather difficult to maintain this type of thinking, however, it doesn't stop me. I know that you need a certain amount of income to sustain an adequate life style, but I can't imagine living a highly sophisticated life style, but dread waking up every day to a job I care not for. Also, it's very interesting thinking about going to college just to learn a "profession" instead of expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world to become someone successful in all areas. I think the purpose of college is to have both knowledge in your profession as well as success in your life and to keep on nourishing and educating the mind after college.
I personally believe that for someone to be truly happy at their field of work they have to love what they do. If they love it, they wont consider it work. But I also believe that college students such as myself need to have knowledge of the careers that are at high demand in order to make sure that after we graduate we can get a job and not just have a degree sitting around in the house. I liked when he said " its not how to make a living, its how to live". Some people just focus on their career and getting money but they have no one to share it with, and at the end of the day was it really worth it?!. I agree that we shouldn't overwhelm ourselves too much these four years of college because we are only this young and free once. We need to do what is require to get where we want to be in the future but we also need to remember no one say you cant live it up while doing it.
This video was an eye opener for me due to the fact I am currently dealing with the dilemma of which major to choose vs. my mothers opinion on what to choose because of the higher chances of getting a well paying job. I agree with this professor, applying your knowledge to a subject that you want to learn more of and persevere in, is the way to go, despite any negative opinion from outsiders. But then again the question that triggers by making this choice is what if you don't get a stable job or what if what you choose to pursue doesn't have much opportunities to have a suitable income. There can be a lot of debatable questions that can be brought up to the goal in his speech but overall I thought it was very motivating speech for the student body.
Some students choose their major based on on-demand field. This choice can lead them to a good paying job, but it comes down to the fact that they might not enjoy the career they have chosen.If you do not enjoy the major you choose, it will be difficult during and after college. It is important for students to realize that they should explore while being in college different courses that might open up their mind and make them realize that they want to do something different.
The video “In defense of Humanities” by Stanford University was very interesting. The speaker starts his speech by given the audience advice to his speaker to “not major in economic”. My interpretation was to major in something that you like and humanities is a way that as a college students you could be able to learned about different subjects until you made up your mind. He also said something that I was fascinated was when he said that humanities are an “aim of life to be learning about different subjects and to not waste our four year of freedom”. I am not majoring in humanity. However, I am certain that I am not wasting my “four year of freedom” because I am studying something that I believe I would love to do for many years.
I agree with what he is saying. I see humanities as one of those studies that pertains to all aspects in life, similar to psychology and sociology. Due to the current economic crisis, many fields are neglected because they do not bring huge paychecks but money is not all that matters in life. I really liked John Addams' quote mentioned in the video: "It's not about how to make a living, its about how to live."
ReplyDeleteI agree with the majority of what he is saying. I believe that people should be able to do what in their lives, especially related to their careers, but I think he over simplifies the problem. It is not as simple as people being able to do exactly what they want to do with their lives. People have responsibilities and may need job stability. He says that even with a Humanities major you will get a good job, but these are people from Stanford right? So the prestige in the name of the school they went to might increase their chances of getting a good job. Many college graduates are now taking jobs they are overqualified for because the horrible job climate. I like his optimism, but is it realistic?
ReplyDeleteLaura- great point about the institutional name playing a role. We must remember that his speech is functioning in a context and the speaker is directing his attention at a particular audience. That audience might be too small given that his lecture is being taped and can be found readily on Youtube. The question of who are you addressing is something to consider when creating a message.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean though by "doing exactly what you want to do"? Do you mean in life or as a major? Does choosing your major reflect a career path? Do most majors train you for a profession? There are really few vocational tracks; most teach students skills that they can use in many different fields. That's what I get when he says "make you who you are." An education can make you a very narrow minded person, singularly focused on a job in a particular field, or it can expand your mind. And the latter is what he's advocating for. I don't think he questions that money is an unimportant factor. He certainly admits to the opposite early in his lecture.
Is there idealism in his words? Sure. And is this a longer conversation? Absolutely. But at the core is the question of what is the purpose of college. Is it to get a job or is it to learn about yourself and be able to then capably navigate through the world.
I agree with what he is saying. I think that we should use the four years spent in college finding out more about ourselves but, I also agree with Laura point about responsibilities. When people go to college, they are trying to prepare themselves for a career that will earn them enough money to support themselves and their family. I know that college can be a great time to try to find out what you would like to study and that people shouldn't focus on how much money they will make, but we got to put food on the table and with the current economic crisis going on, it's going to be difficult for people to get a job after college if the government keep making cuts on programs that will help people.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s the point of life if you’re not living it right? What good will money do if you’re not happy? I’m a true believer in the saying “money does not buy you happiness.” Of course I may be biased since my major is in the humanities department, but I agree with him. He is not addressing this conversation to everyone. He is addressing this lecture to those decide on their major based on a salary instead of choosing an education based on their passions.
ReplyDeleteJanine-when you say "prepare themselves" what do you mean?
ReplyDeleteShamalee-What makes you say that is his audience?
ReplyDeleteThis video really spoke to me, particularly when he speaks about not following what your parents think is a good career for you and instead, to discover and follow what you want to do. I've always had the mentality of pursuing the career that makes you happy and feel fulfilled, but now a days, my thoughts seem to clash with the reality of society. It seems rather difficult to maintain this type of thinking, however, it doesn't stop me. I know that you need a certain amount of income to sustain an adequate life style, but I can't imagine living a highly sophisticated life style, but dread waking up every day to a job I care not for. Also, it's very interesting thinking about going to college just to learn a "profession" instead of expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world to become someone successful in all areas. I think the purpose of college is to have both knowledge in your profession as well as success in your life and to keep on nourishing and educating the mind after college.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that for someone to be truly happy at their field of work they have to love what they do. If they love it, they wont consider it work. But I also believe that college students such as myself need to have knowledge of the careers that are at high demand in order to make sure that after we graduate we can get a job and not just have a degree sitting around in the house. I liked when he said " its not how to make a living, its how to live". Some people just focus on their career and getting money but they have no one to share it with, and at the end of the day was it really worth it?!. I agree that we shouldn't overwhelm ourselves too much these four years of college because we are only this young and free once. We need to do what is require to get where we want to be in the future but we also need to remember no one say you cant live it up while doing it.
ReplyDeleteThis video was an eye opener for me due to the fact I am currently dealing with the dilemma of which major to choose vs. my mothers opinion on what to choose because of the higher chances of getting a well paying job. I agree with this professor, applying your knowledge to a subject that you want to learn more of and persevere in, is the way to go, despite any negative opinion from outsiders. But then again the question that triggers by making this choice is what if you don't get a stable job or what if what you choose to pursue doesn't have much opportunities to have a suitable income. There can be a lot of debatable questions that can be brought up to the goal in his speech but overall I thought it was very motivating speech for the student body.
ReplyDeleteSome students choose their major based on on-demand field. This choice can lead them to a good paying job, but it comes down to the fact that they might not enjoy the career they have chosen.If you do not enjoy the major you choose, it will be difficult during and after college. It is important for students to realize that they should explore while being in college different courses that might open up their mind and make them realize that they want to do something different.
ReplyDeleteThe video “In defense of Humanities” by Stanford University was very interesting. The speaker starts his speech by given the audience advice to his speaker to “not major in economic”. My interpretation was to major in something that you like and humanities is a way that as a college students you could be able to learned about different subjects until you made up your mind. He also said something that I was fascinated was when he said that humanities are an “aim of life to be learning about different subjects and to not waste our four year of freedom”. I am not majoring in humanity. However, I am certain that I am not wasting my “four year of freedom” because I am studying something that I believe I would love to do for many years.
ReplyDelete