Links for 7/22/10

Megan McArdle

in many liberal arts fields, the only possible consumer of the research in question is a handful of scholars in the same field. That sort of research is valuable in the same way that children's craft projects are priceless--to their mothers. Basically, these people are supporting an expensive hobby with a sideline business certifying the ability of certain twenty-year olds to write in complete sentences…

Most scholars in their sixties are not producing path-breaking new research, but they are precisely the people that tenure protects…

tenure makes young scholars--the kind most likely to attack a dominant paradigm--probably more careful than they would be under more normal employment process…

The current tenure system only protects revolutionary, dangerous ideas to the extent that they spring full blown from an academic's head after he has secured tenure, startling the hell out of everyone who hired him…

Since I don't know of many cases where this has happened, I find it hard to believe that tenure is crucial to preserving the spirit of free inquiry at our nation's colleges…

Sharalyn Hartwell

Millennials, the most educated generation in America’s history, are starting to question the value of a college education. A COUNTRY Financial survey released Tuesday found that only 64 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds think college is a good financial investment, a steep decline of 13 points from last year.

Ted Gup

For a few more languorous days, my 19-year-old, Matt, will sleep late, veg out in front of reruns of Family Guy, and otherwise imitate a slug…

Jack Stripling

says Mari Koerner, the college’s dean. “Our motto should be, 'If you can’t get into teaching, become a lawyer.' ”