Life and Times

Originally posted elsewhere in 2004, re-posted in honour of her passing:

Jane Jacobs writes in "Dark Age Ahead" that education has become
credentialing. Rather than teaching people critical thinking skills,
guiding people to where they can excel and exhibit creativity.
Graduation from college or univeristy merely becomes an admission
ticket to be eligible for the workplace. Likewise, high school grants
admission to college or university.

Students merely put in their time and write the tests or exams. The
real academic environment is lost in large classes. Downsizing in the
academic community has resulted in a vacuum.