On 01/01/2012 15:49, John Hall wrote:
In ,
writes:
The bias towards arts and media studies is now notable on all quiz
shows of whatever standard, to the point where in spite of holding
an array of (science based) qualifications and high IQ, it would be
a waste of time me entering any of these quizzes as I would be
"floored" by all the questions asking who starred in this film or that
soap opera.
The bias towards the arts and against science isn't new. I can remember
it from watching University Challenge in the 1970s. I imagine it's
because most TV production staff and presenters are arts graduates.

However the large number of questions in most quizzes which deal with
"popular culture" - films, TV shows, pop music and "celebrities" - is I
think a fairly recent development. Another symptom of this dumbing down
is the starting of "media studies" courses and the like at many
universities. I'd prefer it if our universities only taught what I
regard as proper academic subjects. I suppose it's an inevitable
consequence of the target of getting 50% of the school population to go
on to university. (Which of course in turn has made the university
system far more costly and led to the state no longer being willing to
subsidise students as in the past.)

Rant over.

A very forgivable rant, and not far from the truth. I have thought for
some time that if there is not enough money to go round, the government
should concentrate its support on the skills society actually needs to
maintain itself and let the rest sort themselves out.

A situation where Physics departments are closing (the one I got part of
my "combined" degree in has gone) while society is awash with media
studies and sports science graduates is a recipe for disaster a few
decades down the line. In case TPTB haven't noticed, this is now a
hi-tech world we live in which needs real skills to maintain.

--
- Yokel -

Yokel posts via a spam-trap account which is not read.