5 ms·

And why do we recognize graduates of higher education in the 21st century by making them wear clothes from 500 years ago?? I know "why" but somehow it would be

And why do we recognize graduates of higher education in the 21st century by making them wear clothes from 500 years ago?? I know "why" but somehow it would be more forward-looking if they were even wearing Starfleet uniforms.

akiselev 4y ago
I'm guessing for one of the same reasons they were used originally. From that town and gown wiki article [1]: > The gown also served as a social symbol, as it was impractical for physical manual work. The gowns symbolize that graduates are now above physical manual labor and are destined for greater things (Starbucks barista) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_gown https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_gown
- thinkingemote 4y ago
  I wonder what today's version of the gown would be. Something that would be impractical for both service work (barista) and brain work (prompt engineer). Maybe ski gloves or a sling or maybe a respirator with sunglasses.
  - williamdclt 4y ago
    Simply a suit and tie, maybe?
jrumbut 4y ago
I think it's so important to keep universities connected to the tradition they arose out of in small ways like a gown. It's amazing, when you read the history, how much of today's discourse about the value of a university education, the conduct of students, and the antagonism between university faculty and intellectuals who exist outside the walls of the university is a replay of stuff that happened in the 14th century and every century in between.
barry-cotter 4y ago
Some people believe that things from the past have value, and that continuing traditions is good in itself, providing a sense of meaning and community.
aaron695 4y ago
[dead]
pjc50 4y ago
It's from 500 years ago, but it's also from 50 years ago and from 5 years ago; that is, it's continuous and has not really had a specific occasion to change. Although the fur is usually no longer real. Oxbridge are not called "the dreaming spires" for nothing; there's a timelessness to the place that all the antique surroundings and rituals accentuate. The 20th century has largely got rid of formalwear as an important concept, but (at least while I was there) the gown wasn't just for graduation, it was for formal dinners, which would be held on various occasions or up to several times a week in the larger colleges for the sake of having a nice dinner.

akiselev 4y ago

I'm guessing for one of the same reasons they were used originally. From that town and gown wiki article [1]: > The gown also served as a social symbol, as it was impractical for physical manual work. The gowns symbolize that graduates are now above physical manual labor and are destined for greater things (Starbucks barista) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_gown https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_gown

thinkingemote 4y ago
I wonder what today's version of the gown would be. Something that would be impractical for both service work (barista) and brain work (prompt engineer). Maybe ski gloves or a sling or maybe a respirator with sunglasses.
- williamdclt 4y ago
  Simply a suit and tie, maybe?

jrumbut 4y ago

I think it's so important to keep universities connected to the tradition they arose out of in small ways like a gown. It's amazing, when you read the history, how much of today's discourse about the value of a university education, the conduct of students, and the antagonism between university faculty and intellectuals who exist outside the walls of the university is a replay of stuff that happened in the 14th century and every century in between.

barry-cotter 4y ago

Some people believe that things from the past have value, and that continuing traditions is good in itself, providing a sense of meaning and community.

aaron695 4y ago

[dead]

pjc50 4y ago

It's from 500 years ago, but it's also from 50 years ago and from 5 years ago; that is, it's continuous and has not really had a specific occasion to change. Although the fur is usually no longer real. Oxbridge are not called "the dreaming spires" for nothing; there's a timelessness to the place that all the antique surroundings and rituals accentuate. The 20th century has largely got rid of formalwear as an important concept, but (at least while I was there) the gown wasn't just for graduation, it was for formal dinners, which would be held on various occasions or up to several times a week in the larger colleges for the sake of having a nice dinner.