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The empathy problem is a symptom, not the disease. Or possibly the excuse. It has become fashionable to dismiss the humanities and arts not because of an inab

The empathy problem is a symptom, not the disease. Or possibly the excuse. It has become fashionable to dismiss the humanities and arts not because of an inability to see outside of one's own bubble, but because it isn't directly linked to profit. The result is that any university context that probably won't result in research grants, business endorsements, or endowments later down the road is relegated to TAs or worse, online-only classes. And, yes, as a result of this, many people can't see outside the context of problem space that will result in steady, short-term revenue. It's perfectly sensible economics 101 (a subject which is very popular these days) in a country like the US with such great inbred enthusiasm for capitalism. If there is money to be made, people will find reasons to be excited about making it.

NhanH 12y ago
One could argue that "profit" is a proxy for "making value for society". And hence, the dismissal to the humanities comes from the fact that they are not providing solution, and keeps posing challenges isn't productive. There are lots of goods to be gained in learning certain fields of humanities (history comes to mind), but there are just as many less than ideal part that isn't necessary for any universities students. And exactly what should FB do? Changes their policy that "everyone can only have one identity, except if you're a drag queen, then you got 2" ?
- wcummings 12y ago
  >And exactly what should FB do? This article is right about their "one identity" policy, if nothing else. This policy should simply be removed. Zuckerberg's response is impressively unthoughtful.
lambdahands 12y ago
This assessment of the article I find the most accurate. I don't think the author is asserting that more liberal arts classes equals better products, rather that marrying the idea of profit and social progress is naive.

NhanH 12y ago

One could argue that "profit" is a proxy for "making value for society". And hence, the dismissal to the humanities comes from the fact that they are not providing solution, and keeps posing challenges isn't productive. There are lots of goods to be gained in learning certain fields of humanities (history comes to mind), but there are just as many less than ideal part that isn't necessary for any universities students. And exactly what should FB do? Changes their policy that "everyone can only have one identity, except if you're a drag queen, then you got 2" ?

wcummings 12y ago
>And exactly what should FB do? This article is right about their "one identity" policy, if nothing else. This policy should simply be removed. Zuckerberg's response is impressively unthoughtful.

lambdahands 12y ago

This assessment of the article I find the most accurate. I don't think the author is asserting that more liberal arts classes equals better products, rather that marrying the idea of profit and social progress is naive.