Opinion: Stop the math, science obsession
By Emily Eckart, Washington Post
When I was a child, I wanted to be a scientist. For a school project, I grew my own bread mold and dressed up as Alexander Fleming. I read about Marie Curie’s travails with the enthusiastic fandom that most girls dedicate to movie stars or singers. Microbiology, entomology, neuroscience, medicine—all beckoned with promises of discoveries to be made, fundamental truth hiding behind a microscope or a tricky equation.
Then, it all came to an end.
In seventh grade, I read Lawrence Krauss’s book “Atom”. The book followed a single atom from the days of the Big Bang to present. Krauss concluded by saying that he was composed entirely of atoms, and that upon his death, these atoms would be recombined into other objects. This passage was apparently intended to uplift, but I found it troubling. What was the purpose of everything if it all came down to mechanical interactions of particles and cells — what was the point of living, of doing anything at all?
Those of us who cherish the humanities know well the disappointment our math and science teachers express when we choose to “squander” our bright young minds. In high school, when I confessed to a former science teacher that I had decided to major in music, her face fell. “Emily,” she said, distraught, “what happened to science?”
It is commonly claimed that STEM majors are the “most valuable” — value being defined as immediate job offers and high earnings. Articles promoting STEM have a clear focus: jobs and money. College is increasingly viewed as a form of vocational training, useful only for teaching the quantitative skills that our data-obsessed society demands.
But defenders of the humanities have long recognized that the study of history, literature, art and language develop other skills that are critical for students’ success. With their focus on careful reading and analysis of texts, humanities foster clear communication, both in speaking and in writing.
Well, those of you who are proud to “make it through another day without algebra” must be tickled pink. I also find it interesting that a former music major is now a writer…
We need more STEM. It is important. Science will solve problems like disease, transportation, energy and food needs for our civilization. Indeed, music, literature and history are important as well, but we need more STEM studies, not less.
Dear Dumbf-
The article deals with a broad array of topics, and it may indeed of be very well written. Did you read the entire article?
The best take-away you should get is that students who choose a field other than your beloved STEM classes are often and routinely made to feel less smart, not motivated, less worthy and unlikely to make a lot of money due to their choice of educational focus.
A college education is supposed to be rounded enough so that an exposure to many things creates an understanding of how we got to where we are now as humans. A good education creates myriad points where a student can and often does alter course of study simply by exposure to something other than STEM subjects.
The American culture has created a “money over everything else” mindset and has caused us to view our standard of living and possessions as the most important focus of all we do. Even if it means killing some less fortunates to accomplish.
In reality, it dumbs us down and will lead to our cultural collapse, as our culture creates less and less of value in the long run.
We have lost our way.
We are desperately paranoid of this collapse as witnessed by the war on terror. We are quite willing to let a couple of hundred thousand criminals keep us in foxholes and behind bars.
No, I did not go on to the remainder of the article, Gerald. However, since you bring it up, I certainly will now. The headline was sufficient to object. There is no one that I am aware of that is “obsessed with STEM”. Of course, I agree with your contention regarding well-rounded education. Although my studies were focused on engineering, I also studied fine arts and humanities. My matriculation was many, many years ago in a different time. I agree further with the idea of not focusing on “money over everything else”.
However, there is an entire group of people who are actually against science. I have seen the phrase regarding “making it through the day without algebra” repeatedly. That statement worries me. There are those who actually want to avoid science because they believe that science is somehow against their religion or beliefs. Or, they simply don’t realize how important algebra is in their daily lives. Either way, it is not a sign of intelligence, in my humble opinion. Humanity did that a couple of hundred years ago, it is now called the Dark Ages.
In no way did I declare the article as not being well-written.
I do not support any educational subject as being more or less important than others. I simply recognize that STEM training will result in solutions to complex problems and is an important part of our education system. Also, I recognize that here in the United States, our graduates are not particularly successful in the STEM subjects. Again, I have never seen or heard any discussion of anyone being “obsessed” with STEM. Nor have I seen anyone being “dumbed down” with the study of science. I think that the pursuit of money (over all else) is far more prevalent in those who pursue degrees in law and marketing. All the best in the New Year.
Umm Cranky, speak for yourself. I see no “collapse” of any kind in my neck of the woods and I am certainly NOT in a foxhole or behind bars.
Computers have replaced basic math issues. Does the Humanities include Movies and Entertainment, because that is huge and more and more involved with graphics/animation; a math offshoot.
There are a lot of endeavors of pursuit in the world; some pay well, some not so well. In the final analysis there are no bonus points given out for the most stuff at the end of the game.
“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Lennon/McCartney.