5 ms·

There are also some counterpoints to it. I still cannot see a value in studying classical literature. At least not one that does not have 1000 better tradeoffs

by chinchilla2020 4y ago

There are also some counterpoints to it. I still cannot see a value in studying classical literature. At least not one that does not have 1000 better tradeoffs for other subjects. There are also aspects of studying that can 'nerdify' the brain and make you weaker at interpersonal skills. There are very few CEOs, influencers, actors, and musicians that are good at math. In fact, I think the artistic/athletic pathways in life can be damaged by beginning to condition someone for office work.

JackFr 4y ago
> I still cannot see a value in studying classical literature. And that is the real tragedy of modern education.
- CodeSgt 4y ago
  You're welcome to explain why you disagree with the OP and what true value can, in your view, be derived from studying classical literature. I likely agree with you, but if you're just going to make a vaguely disparaging statement in the negative without elaborating or contributing to the discussion then you really might as well not comment at all.
  - JackFr 4y ago
    To answer both you and in passing GP: ——— My liege and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night, night, and time is time — Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
    - TillE 4y ago
      I love how "brevity is the soul of wit" has become some wise aphorism, but of course in context of Polonius' rambling, it is a genuinely hilarious joke.
- adhesive_wombat 4y ago
  Reminds me of a sci-fi short story where the military leaders against an alien (?) invasion keep demanding "harder and sharper" human tools for the war. Finally they need a poet and find they don't have any any more.[1] Though I think that the way classical literature is taught is probably enough to sicken all but the most die-hard readers. Endless dissection of things on a word-by-word basis. Shakespeare (say) wasn't a godlike superhuman imbuing every single word with dozens of layers of meaning. Sometimes it's just a fart joke. Exactly the same as maths teachers drilling integration rules to death and having everyone conclude, not unreasonably, "this is pointless bullshit". Or history teachers listing dates and names. [1]: edit: not aliens, and it's by Alfred Bester: https://archive.org/details/New_Worlds_029v10_1954-11/page/n57/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/New_Worlds_029v10_1954-11/page/n...
heavyset_go 4y ago
You'll better understand contemporary media and culture by being familiar with the foundations they're built upon. Much of modern media are either nods or homages to, or direct knockoffs of, classics. Creators weave allusions to other works in their own work all of the time, and you won't pick up on or appreciate them without familiarity with what they're alluding to.

JackFr 4y ago

> I still cannot see a value in studying classical literature. And that is the real tragedy of modern education.

CodeSgt 4y ago
You're welcome to explain why you disagree with the OP and what true value can, in your view, be derived from studying classical literature. I likely agree with you, but if you're just going to make a vaguely disparaging statement in the negative without elaborating or contributing to the discussion then you really might as well not comment at all.
- JackFr 4y ago
  To answer both you and in passing GP: ——— My liege and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night, night, and time is time — Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
  - TillE 4y ago
    I love how "brevity is the soul of wit" has become some wise aphorism, but of course in context of Polonius' rambling, it is a genuinely hilarious joke.
adhesive_wombat 4y ago
Reminds me of a sci-fi short story where the military leaders against an alien (?) invasion keep demanding "harder and sharper" human tools for the war. Finally they need a poet and find they don't have any any more.[1] Though I think that the way classical literature is taught is probably enough to sicken all but the most die-hard readers. Endless dissection of things on a word-by-word basis. Shakespeare (say) wasn't a godlike superhuman imbuing every single word with dozens of layers of meaning. Sometimes it's just a fart joke. Exactly the same as maths teachers drilling integration rules to death and having everyone conclude, not unreasonably, "this is pointless bullshit". Or history teachers listing dates and names. [1]: edit: not aliens, and it's by Alfred Bester: https://archive.org/details/New_Worlds_029v10_1954-11/page/n57/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/New_Worlds_029v10_1954-11/page/n...

heavyset_go 4y ago

You'll better understand contemporary media and culture by being familiar with the foundations they're built upon. Much of modern media are either nods or homages to, or direct knockoffs of, classics. Creators weave allusions to other works in their own work all of the time, and you won't pick up on or appreciate them without familiarity with what they're alluding to.