Re: Free speech at university?
Originally Posted by
JBR
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Many universities in this country these days exist almost solely on the basis of their
Mickey Mouse degrees!
As far as their students are concerned, university is a place where they can enjoy themselves pratting about and getting drunk for three or four years. They're given a grant to allow them to do this which, of course, they'll never have to repay as they're never likely to obtain a job with a sufficient salary.
What an absolute waste! Thank you Tony B Liar.
Goodness me universities in Britain must be extremely (terminally maybe from what you say) different from those in this country. Or are you talking about University life in the 1950s and early 60s ?...When I was at university 40 years ago (Univeristy of New South Wales and Macquarie University) There was some time for having a few drinks and goofing off. But not much. Even back then the competition was fierce in my faculties and if you spent not much more than occasionally chilling instead of working your butt off..You were out. THese days there is
zero time for anything except studying..in all it's guises, working a part time job if you can find one and getting all the work in on time. Above all that there is brutual competition with the Asian students and between them. There is no such thing as a "grant" and hasn't been for decades. We have the HEX system where you receive a loan which is refundable at the end of your degree.
Maybe you could explain what a "mickey mouse degree" is? Is that something peculiar to Britain?..Honest question. I have never studied there. I have visited Oxford, Cambridge and Bath Universties. I must say I never saw a lot of goofing off there. Only people tearing around looking vert busy and stressed.
On the subject of freedom of speech, I know what people mean here. And I agree that a university should be a place where freedom of expression and speech reign supreme. Places where regardless of the content of your speech, work and writings, you will be listened to without being "Cancelled"..Then you will be argued with, agreed with, have your words dissected or in fact ridiculed. But you will be able to speak. UNiversity is where I first read Voltaire. I reads Micromégas and Plato's Dream to get a headache and Candide for fun. I mention him because one of his most famous quotes is..."I disagree violently with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Sadly not many people are into Voltaire these days.