tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post6730365252894207391..comments2024-03-14T02:18:13.285-05:00Comments on T h e | D e e p | M i d d l e: Higher Ed and MeBenjamin Vogthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-59420274023423565062011-08-31T21:50:31.367-05:002011-08-31T21:50:31.367-05:00Les--I did not want to give more insight into myse...Les--I did not want to give more insight into myself and my world, but it's hard when you know a potential academic employer might see it someday. But whatever. This Great Recession has less to do with uncontrollable factors than our country's ability to innovate and lead in new ways--which is just insane to say. It should be obvious that we can't keep trying to handle things the sameBenjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-62314729991717908462011-08-31T21:45:18.714-05:002011-08-31T21:45:18.714-05:00I really can't contribute much to this convers...I really can't contribute much to this conversation, it is not my world. However, I did want to thank you for letting your reading public know a bit more about you. I can also say your situation sounds like yet another chapter in the book of decline we are all experiencing. One day, may we all be able to tell our grandchildren how we survived The Great Recession.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-58175180289647935642011-08-30T08:28:37.460-05:002011-08-30T08:28:37.460-05:00Stacy--Thanks for that. I love working with studen...Stacy--Thanks for that. I love working with students, I do thrive on that interaction and take much joy and pleasure from it. However, I dread, as in any job, the work one has to do, and the inevitable red tape and in-fighting that will occur in any larger body of people. I have yet to have a REAL academic teaching job, one with decent pay and benefits, so I can't hang up my hat yet. I'd Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-77264615040354874662011-08-29T23:21:58.381-05:002011-08-29T23:21:58.381-05:00Benjamin, I read this a few days ago and both want...Benjamin, I read this a few days ago and both wanted to and didn't want to comment. As an ex-academic who left the field for other reasons, my position was at one point kind of like yours but not quite. I will just say this: there are many powerful and wonderful things about academia that I miss, but the one endlessly beautiful thing I love about being on the outside now is that I Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-11117367535466833432011-08-23T09:59:31.050-05:002011-08-23T09:59:31.050-05:00James--I like what you said very much: "We...James--I like what you said very much: "We've lost the idea of education as an important part of the life experience, as a way to alter perspectives and teach a way of living a richer life, and narrowed it to learning a few "skills." Students will never value that--I never did--but it's what we should be teaching. Maybe we should go back to forcing Latin on everyone. Let&#Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-51077707137935796902011-08-23T09:55:44.674-05:002011-08-23T09:55:44.674-05:00GG--Trying not to speak as an educator, but we all...GG--Trying not to speak as an educator, but we all know education is simply advertised as a specific means to a specific end. And if the current government of legislature's idea of that isn't being met, slash and slash. As for sports, UNL just joined the Big 10 and are pretending like it's all bout greater academic sharing and opps for students and researchers. I'm sure it has Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-90839887146095806302011-08-23T06:50:52.489-05:002011-08-23T06:50:52.489-05:00I went to a small, southern, liberal arts college ...I went to a small, southern, liberal arts college (sounds so old fashioned today) where I got a broad education that has enriched my life. I thought I'd be an English professor. But I've worked most of my life in high technology industries, where we try to find people who can write (to sell professional services). We've lost the idea of education as an important part of the life James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-69072060032011082662011-08-22T21:38:48.419-05:002011-08-22T21:38:48.419-05:00I wish you the best of luck in your many ventures;...I wish you the best of luck in your many ventures; I'm deeply saddened but not surprised by your experiences and the thoughts you've shared. <br /><br />I was interested to note, in the article that you quoted, the comments about an all-out attack on public higher education. I've been feeling like that was occurring for some time now, but thought I was perhaps being paranoid. I Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-64476409854541993412011-08-22T16:27:50.975-05:002011-08-22T16:27:50.975-05:00FJ--I had a job like that 6 years ago at a summer ...FJ--I had a job like that 6 years ago at a summer camp / small college (referring to your post). I got paid $450 per month for one class, which means I'd have to teach 4 classes to = how much I'd make doing data entry full time. <br />Susan--I can't believe I'm almost gray. Maybe I don't want that pressure. I don't know. I want to write, I know that for sure, and I do likeBenjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-83693564544977677072011-08-22T14:44:00.018-05:002011-08-22T14:44:00.018-05:00Very sad. My daughter is considering going oversea...Very sad. My daughter is considering going overseas to collage because of the cost. I wonder if there are teaching jobs in other countries. I know people are going overseas... say to Australia to work. I wish you all the best. We need teachers like you!Callie Bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379683295150396693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-22219759213338407292011-08-22T14:13:29.967-05:002011-08-22T14:13:29.967-05:00Serious condolences on this point Benjamin. Would ...Serious condolences on this point Benjamin. Would offer advice, but I have none to give. I'm hitched to my husband's academic career and it has been a ride. The pressure is insane. Husband went gray in grad school from the pressure. We would joke that it was our "silver lining."Susan in the Pink Hathttp://inkandpenstemon.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-6425822202992784042011-08-22T14:05:58.500-05:002011-08-22T14:05:58.500-05:00This was a wonderful read and hit many of the feel...This was a wonderful read and hit many of the feelings I have about higher ed. I linked to it on twitter. <br />I recently wrote my own take on the adjunct life from a bitter/humor viewpoint. http://mythsofthemidwest.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-of-adjunct-teacher.html?spref=twFargo Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822739011893471090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-46863984986942172362011-08-22T13:18:41.997-05:002011-08-22T13:18:41.997-05:00Yup Mr. S., that's one of the next bubble--alo...Yup Mr. S., that's one of the next bubble--along with credit cards I'd assume. There's been a lot of talk of having quasi tenure, where every 5 years you have to sorta re-apply or prove your worth. But that talk is only among folks like me. I think college is a necessity, like high school once was, and only a masters may increase some earning potential. I had a friend who was told NOTBenjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-10918754915978154452011-08-22T13:05:36.234-05:002011-08-22T13:05:36.234-05:00Peter Thiel (PayPal founder) is on record as belie...Peter Thiel (PayPal founder) is on record as believing that the next economic bubble to burst is going to be higher education: everybody thinks it's worth more to have a lot of education than it in fact is, and consequently it's being priced ever higher. <br /><br />That might or might not be particularly related to what you were saying above, but that's where my mind went when I readmr_subjunctivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14113199755474482747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-45227657967670673692011-08-22T12:46:37.058-05:002011-08-22T12:46:37.058-05:00Audrey--Hey, everything will be fine, I mean, that...Audrey--Hey, everything will be fine, I mean, that's not why I wrote this, not a whoa is me piece, an awareness piece I hope. At least I don't have kids and my car is paid for. I'm still very fortunate.Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218275625589637009.post-90513640593731955452011-08-22T12:10:14.500-05:002011-08-22T12:10:14.500-05:00Sadly but beautifully said, Ben. I wish I could e...Sadly but beautifully said, Ben. I wish I could express my heartfelt thoughts half as well as you, but I will simply thank you for doing what you do. It certainly matters, even when/if society no longer deems a well rounded education a necessity. I hope and pray things turn around before that happens.<br />Blessings and best of luck in all you do to educate, enlighten, and encourage those thatA Van Vliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04081207307246364810noreply@blogger.com