Comments | katyhasclogs: Radio Programme #2: Archive on 4

katyhasclogs

Radio Programme #2: Archive on 4

Apr 15, 2012 18:52

Programme: Archive on 4 - Hobsbawm: A Life in History
Station: BBC Radio 4
Broadcast: Saturday 14th April 2012, 8.00pm
Available Until: Saturday 21st April
Website: Archive on 4 14/4/12

I heard this last night while washing up and cooking dinner (yes, in that order) and it's a fine example of one of the big reasons I love Radio 4 - its knack of having ( Read more... )

history, 50 radio programmes, big questions, 100 things, society

Comments 2

shimotsuki April 16 2012, 03:54:18 UTC

Sounds very interesting indeed.

Firstly, that though society today has held onto the conclusions of the Enlightenment, we've forgotten the ideas behind them, particularly the importance of rational thought.

And it seems that the current push toward standardized testing in primary and secondary schools in the US isn't going to help with this. :(

Secondly, that not enough worth is now placed on the Humanities, and that this is a mistake because they are what help us understand human beings and why they do things.

Yep, I worry about this all the time, and not just because my job depends on it (heh). It seems that people nowadays only value topics, concepts, and ideas that have some kind of immediate "practical" (financial?) value -- but so many other things have long-term value, or value beyond the immediately or measurably practical.

katyhasclogs April 19 2012, 12:36:05 UTC

And it seems that the current push toward standardized testing in primary and secondary schools in the US isn't going to help with this. :(

And ditto over here I expect. Actually, there's another programme I listened to recently that somewhat opens up the 'limits of exams' can of worms so perhaps you'll hear more on the subject in the near future!

It seems that people nowadays only value topics, concepts, and ideas that have some kind of immediate "practical" (financial?) value -- but so many other things have long-term value, or value beyond the immediately or measurably practical.OMG yes! I keep coming across this everywhere, from the government's love of university science departments, because research = discovery = business = ecomomy boost (apparently), to ideas about whether degrees are worthwhile or value for money if they don't give you an obvious ticket to a job, to the kind of things Ofsted (school inspectors) expect of teachers like my mum and their lessons. Seriously, don't get me started ( ... )