There were many interesting articles in the Utne Reader; however, one in particular really caught my atttention. "Learning in the Key of Life" was an article by Jon Spayde. Spayde discussed the importance of learning the "humanities." I have to agree with him in many respects. He said that formal education is very important, but it certainly helps to know the humanities as well. I often discuss this with my students in class. They ask me why they have to take certain classes that they are not interested in. The old question arises, "When are we ever going to use this stuff?" I tell them, "Who knows if you will someday down the road need this stuff?" I believe learning about music, literature, other cultures, etc. is so important to be able to have an appreciation for them. I was 26 years old when I returned to college. I, too, thought some of the classes I took were a waste of time, UNTIL I learned something about the topics. I attended an art appreciation class, and we took a trip to Minneapolis to see some of the art galleries. I was in awe at the wonderful world that I was missing out on. Since then I have attended classical music concerts, plays, listen to a variety of music, and watch a wider variety of television programs. I believe this is the message that Jon Spayde was trying to convey. He said we can certainly get along without the "humanities," but life is so much more fun knowing and understanding the "humanities."

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

Answers

Good comments, Barbara! The humanities, I believe, are necessary for a "well-rounded" education. I think that a student must have exposure to all of the arts to understand the world. So much of history influenced the arts: the different periods in art and music such as baroque, impressionism, etc. I loved learning of the different periods in art and music and I hope that our daughters will too. My husband is quite the reader and is frustrated lately that our eldest daughter (13) isn't aware of the authors that he knows. I realize that it takes time and effort and good English teachers with a good curriculum to give justice to a variety of well-known authors, but hopefully that will happen. Enough getting side-tracked! YES, the humanities are an important part to a child's education. Also because of the different learning styles that children have. Being exposed to the arts is one avenue for some to excell in where they may not be able to if only offered the three R's.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 1998

I agree that life is much more interesting with an increased knowledge of humanities. Individuals who are intellectually book smart can coast through life learning what they need to get by. An appreciation of life is a taken to another level when that individual is able to appreciate the rhythmic beauty of a symphony or the lyrical magic of classic literature.

So, what do you tell students that ask, "When are we ever going to use this stuff?" Let them know that they are doing has a two-prong purpose  they are learning humanities to educate the mind as well as the soul.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1998

Yes, I see your point and I certainly would agree that the world would be much less exciting if it wasn't for the "humanities". Maybe I overreacted because I used just my setting in the secondary classroom as the means to base the author's comments. Fortunately, I think both yourself and Christine Osthus (who also commented on my response) have common arguments in the elementary and secondary setting. On the other hand, I think the "well-rounded" individual, who can begin to feel comfortable in a wide variety of diverse settings, is the ultimate goal of the learner. Would you not agree that a person immersed in only the "humanities" may also be missing out on a great deal of other experiences in the world that are rich and enjoyable? Thank you for sharing your comments with me so I can better appreciate the author's intentions in the article.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1998

My Second Utne Reader Response:

Disordered Brilliance, by Clifford Pickover, was very interesting and thought provoking. Pickover talks about some of the famous artists, writers, and composers like Sylvia Plath, Walt Whitman, Vincent van Gogh, and Isaac Newton, etc. All of these as well as others had some sort of mental disorder. The author posses the question as a subtitle, We can curb the dark side of genius, but should we? He wonders if the availability of drugs today curbs the creative side of those who are mentally unstable. Although he asks the question, he does not answer it. It is as if he threw it out there for food for thought.

I have a few thoughts. First of all, not all of the gifted people from the past had mental disorders. I guess I would want to consider the percentage of inventions, discoveries, or creations born of sick minds vs. those born of normal-minded persons. Discoveries are being made everyday in todays society, and we dont here of those individuals having any mental disorders. Another thing to consider is that the standards and basic beliefs have changed from those days. Pickover refers to Henry Cavendishs behavior with his servants. He would not allow his female servants to show themselves, or they would be fired. This attitude was probably common back then. I guess I would need a little more information to be able to answer this one. Wouldnt this be an interesting topic to research?!

-- Anonymous, January 12, 1999

I had also questioned the article "Disordered Brilliance" with regards to the author's question about medicating those who are mentally ill and yet show signs of brilliance. I question the number of children who are being medicated at an alarming rate and wonder how this effects their creativity, if at all. From what I know of mental illness, there is a fine line between genius and mental illness. My guess is that the talents and gifts of those mentioned in the article may have been denied given the treatments of today for the mentally ill. Seems as though today we rush to diagnose any and most egocentries and quirks with some type of mental illness or dysfunction. The pharamacutical manufacturers are getting rich off of it as are therapists and psychiatrists. I do however recognize the need and benefit for many of the psychotropic medications available for mental illness. Your point that those with typical, normal minds are making significant contributions was well taken.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 1999

Hello Barbara: My name is John Hansen. I am an instructor in the Communication Department at UMD and the new facilitator for the group. I am intrigued by your comments on both articles,they show a direction that is worth examining. The question of the value of the Humanities is a debate that has gone on for centuries. You focused on it from the sense of "discovery" that is offered. Could you expand on that? Also, as a former mental health professional I can attest to the fact that we are quick to place labels and give meds. But here is my question for you: Do we need to label everything? If we do does it not further limit our ability to stimulate creativity? I'd be interested in what you have to say. Thanks, John

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1999

MY 3RD UTNE READER RESPONSE (ROUGH DRAFT)

Scott Russell Sanders, author of the article The Stuff of Life asks this question, Do you own it, or does it own you? What a thought provoking question. It is so true that many of us are impulse shoppers. Too many times we cannot afford our purchases and charge them rather than pay cash. One answer to his question lies within the question, Can we really afford these purchases? I have been caught up in charge accounts at their maximum, and I do feel as if it owns me.

Another way that this question could be interpreted is that we never take time to relax, because we are too busy working to make money to buy more stuff. Sanders talks about a trip that he and his son took in the mountains. It sounds as if they had a wonderful time. They had little to worry about camping out of doors and getting in touch with nature. But, as soon as they returned to the real world, they found their stress levels rising from the pressures of work. I know of so many people who truly enjoy getting away on a vacation. I particularly enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying the beauty that nature has to offer. So why then do we return to a world where we are stressed? Why do we feel the need to make so many unnecessary purchases? Is there some sort of psychological need to have more stuff? I dont know the answers to these questions; however, I know that I would be afraid to be independently wealthy. I fear that I would not take time to get away and relax. I would not take the time to enjoy nature.

Sanders brings up a third idea about what all of our unnecessary purchases are doing to our environment. Many people dont think twice about what is being wasted by their spontaneous purchases. We need to think before we buy. Is this purchase really necessary? What is the consequence to another species or our environment by my buying this item? We are a selfish race. One feels power when one has material possessions. This whole mindset is what our children are being raised with. What will their generation be like? I can see the selfishness in my students all the time. Is this their fault? I think society needs to take a good, long look at what they are doing to future generations.We need to provide our children with better role models.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 1999

Hi Barbara, I have been reding through your postings. I wanted to let you know that you have the start of several possibly publishable articles. The most recent Utne review in particular has some promise. Please e-mail me with any further thoughts you might have on this topic. Thanks, John Hansen

-- Anonymous, April 10, 1999

Barbara, Thank you for your profound insights! I am writing in response to your last entry. I applaud you on several points. I think that, educationally, we are affected by the materialistic mindset of today's society. Like you stated, we are a selfish race, and much of this is exhibited in our classrooms. Even at very young ages, status is often determined by material possessions. In other words, do I have the right clothes? Do I have the latest toys? Etc. I, too, am flustered by the fact that we seem to "beat ourselves up" in being caught up on the fast-paced treadmill of life! Like you, I thoroughly enjoy the outdoors and all the beauty of nature--camping, hiking, fishing-- anything that has to do with trees and lakes! Sometimes I wish that we could go back in time to a place where simple things were best...We've lost sight of that...It seems that people care less and less about the character qualities that they are modeling to their children (both in and out of school). Emphasis is placed on many "shallow" aspects. This may be "bold" of me to say (especially as an educator who believes in striving for academic excellence), but please consider the implication. Sometimes I get frustrated also with the fact that knowledge is worshipped, and if you get wonderful grades, then you are everything. Grades seem to define us and are a "Status." I see this a lot because I teach special education (LD and EBD). Sometimes these students aren't able to get straight A's and B's, but they are incredibly gifted in other areas and have exemplary character. I, personally, think it should count for something and it deserves some recognition. That's my soap box for the day! Thanks, again, Barbara, for your insights!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 1999

For my last Utne Reader response I chose the article Team Me by Lynette Lamb

This article talks about the idea of coaching a person who may be having problems in balancing their careers and homelife. I think that myself as a teacher am serving as a coach to all of my students. I am helping them set goals, nagging at them when they are not doing their best to reach those goals, and listening to them when they need someone to talk to. I am a main support figure in each of their lives. Coaching as outlined in this article almost seems like a case manager for a student receiving special education services. Is this what we, as adults, need. Do we need someone to help us set goals and keep them. I somewhat offends me when I hear so many people complaining about students not being motivated!!! Isnt the fact that some of them are hiring coaches to help them keep their motivation up and their stress levels down a bit ironic. Come on people; get with the program. Do some soul searching, and figure out what it is you want out of this life. Discuss these plans/goals with your spouse/significant other/children, etc. and set a plan in motion. Some people hire a coach to help them lose weight. I understand that some people need nutritionists and Doctors to help them get started, so they are sure to maintain a healthy diet; however, many of us simply need to push ourselves away from the table and get our butts off of the couch. I guess my whole point is that I would expect adults to be able to deal with problems in life on their own, within their own families.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 1999