I received what is essentially a humanities degree -- a math degree from UW in the College of Arts and Sciences -- in 1990. I loved reading Shakespeare, studyin

I received what is essentially a humanities degree -- a math degree from UW in the College of Arts and Sciences -- in 1990. I loved reading Shakespeare, studying Philosophy, etc... and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Later I got a PhD in Computer Science, but I always cherished and recommended getting a liberal arts degree. Most afternoons in UW's Red Square you would encounter a myriad of street preachers, protestors, activists of all colors and stripes -- it was the kind of environment where your views would eventually be challenged. Debates were often out in the open and you better leave your straw men and ad hominem rants at home. It toughened me up and even altered some of my views. That is the way it should be. Things have changed a great deal since then. Much of the liberal arts and related fields have been hijacked by the "social justice warrior" types. Free Speech is almost dead on campuses. Classic liberal and thoughtful progressive views have been overrun by those seeking to silence anyone who has an opinion that deviates from PC culture. Students are now indoctrinated into becoming "professional victims" and endorsing "identity politics" and its ilk. Ironically, in the push for diversity (an important goal) there ends up being very little intellectual diversity at all -- humanity professors think in complete lockstep with one another. Outrage and offense is the new badge of honor. Being "triggered" from "micro-aggression" is the new currency. Students are sheltered and protected from anything that they may offend them -- in the end the become intellectually weak. I haven't visited Red Square in a long while -- but I doubt you see the same crazy speakers that once frequented there. Why would would any thoughtful young folks who thought "outside the lines" even bother anymore -- students just keep their heads down and focus on getting a degree that has future earning potential. If you fight it, you risk your degree. It is a sad conclusion, the humanities are indeed in crisis.