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from the this-article-may-trigger-strong-emotions dept.
There is a lot of talk on the net these days about microagressions, and it's good netiquette to post trigger warnings before discussing sensitive topics. What's good in online forums isn't necessarily appropriate in-person, especially on University campuses. The cover article for September's edition of The Atlantic magazine discusses the harm that students' requests for trigger warnings on course content and accusations of microagression are causing, stifling open conversation on campuses across America. The authors also suggest that these student behaviors are actively causing harm to the students.
Avoiding trigger topics, instead of assisting those who have suffered traumas, perpetuates and enhances the pathology of the phobias they hope not to trigger. The hunt for microagression creates in the students cognitive distortions that are usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. The authors are calling this "The Coddling of the American Mind", and suggest it will create a generation of graduates unable to cope with the world after graduation.
The authors also appeared on the Diane Rehm show, on a segment called "The New Political Correctness: Why Some Fear It's Ruining American Education". Far from trying to shut down the conversation about race relations, the authors are trying to re-open it.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by VLM on Tuesday September 01 2015, @03:31PM
it will create a generation of graduates unable to cope with the world after graduation
This has been the purpose of the educational system for a long time.
Or rephrased, recently the purpose of the system has become funneling as much government guaranteed loans as possible into the coffers for as long as it lasts.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by bob_super on Tuesday September 01 2015, @03:47PM
I'd object to the idea that it's the purpose "of the educational system". I know lots of teachers who try their best, so I'm not eager to lump them in.
It's the consequence of modern parenting (though some will argue that kids on cell phones are more ready for the new not-workplace than their parents), "don't offend anyone" policies, and some significant segment of the educational system's decision-makers (both in DC and in Texas)
(Score: 4, Insightful) by VLM on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:36PM
What the machine was designed to do, is never the fault of the cogs and gears.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:28PM
Or rephrased, recently the purpose of the system has become funneling as much government guaranteed loans as possible into the coffers for as long as it lasts.
Well certainly the education system has been shifting towards a profit model for at least 3+ decades. So cut funds to schools and raise tuition or 'registration fees' (really CA?) will make them more profitable. I believe the thinking is that doing anything for profit is more efficient, thus having the goal of our public educatino system be increasing profit instead of educating the population will result in better education for..., wait, what?. Well I guess we'll get better educated profit.
In any case, the loans are profitable to the lenders. If you want to blame someone, you might look at the financial sector. They both have an incredible powerful lobby and make lots of money on student loans. Since I've been educated in the US, I can't put one and one together (although I can still get loans!, awesome), but I'm guessing there might be a connection there.