4 ms·

I think the problem is that non-STEM classes have been dumbed down to the point where they just aren't on the same level. You see lots of failed science majors

I think the problem is that non-STEM classes have been dumbed down to the point where they just aren't on the same level. You see lots of failed science majors in English class, but no failed English majors in differential equations class. But why not? Writing is hard, and if you had to be as good of a writer to be an English major as you do at math to be a math major, lots of people would fail out of that too. But they don't because those classes are easy. I've never actually heard anybody argue that the subject matter isn't worthy.

leetcrew 5y ago
> You see lots of failed science majors in English class, but no failed English majors in differential equations class. I always find this funny to read, because that's more or less what happened to me. I was originally very interested in philosophy and the classics, but I just couldn't keep up with the reading and paper assignments. I'm not a bad writer in general, but I'm terrible at writing academic papers. I picked CS/math because I was tired of staring at a blank word document and slowly panicking for a week. with CS/math, I could just sit down and start making progress immediately on a problem set or coding project. I see the point of what you're saying though. there's a limit to how rigorous an english class can practically be. the difference between bad and mediocre writing is mostly mechanics. but what's the difference between good and great writing? I doubt the "experts" could even agree, let alone come up with a rubric for grading papers.