Capitalisn't Trump’s War on Universities, with Nicholas Dirks
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Mar 6, 2025 Nicholas Dirks, former Chancellor of UC Berkeley and author of "City of Intellect," delves into the current crises facing universities. He discusses soaring costs, declining enrollments, and the impact of Trump's policies on research funding. The conversation highlights the tension between donor influence and academic freedom, as well as the socioeconomic divides in elite education. Dirks also explores the necessity for universities to adapt to evolving demands, particularly regarding online learning and the enduring value of humanities education amid rising AI trends.
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University Research in the Digital Age
- University research is more important than ever due to the increasing amount of uncurated information online.
- Universities provide curated, peer-reviewed research and establish what information is important.
Value of Liberal Arts Degrees
- The value of a liberal arts degree is questioned due to limited career options and high costs.
- Tech recruiters often prefer liberal arts majors for their critical thinking skills, valuable in an age of AI.
Cost of Civilization in Universities
- There's a "cost of civilization" in universities; humanities courses are cheaper to run than STEM, yet priced the same.
- This pricing structure incentivizes students towards STEM, impacting humanities enrollment.
