The Death of CREATIVITY

"That’s O.K. It’s not their job to value the humanities or even to understand them. But it is the job of presidents and chancellors to proclaim the value of liberal arts education loudly and often and at least try to make the powers that be understand what is being lost when traditions of culture and art that have been vital for hundreds and even thousands of years disappear from the academic scene. "


In a hard-hitting editorial in the New York Times, Stanley Fish firmly defends the importance of the Humanities within modern-day education, and questions the actions of the government and officials to keep such education afloat. Fish believes that the Humanities are a substantial part of education, he believes that education in the arts is extremely vital. I on all counts AGREE!


The American System seems to manufacture the same type of person over and over again, a rich white male with a degree in business advertising. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a corporate business man, AS LONG AS THERE ARE CREATIVE MINDS TO BALANCE IT ALL. This world needs artists, historians, musicians and everything in-between to be able to dwell and prosper, creativity if absolutely necessary to life. In the 1950's, American society was mainly Suzy Q suburbia, with perfect house wives and "Leave it to Beaver" families. That worked for a while, America's corporate success shot through the roof, highways were being built, we were making it at a nation. Then came the uprising of the hippie-chique 60's. It was inevitable, there has to be rebellion and creativity that inspires people. The 60's were filled with music, art, and expression. The 60's greatly influenced our modern day culture, that era let us know loud and clean that it is ok to be different! IT'S OK TO EXPRESS YOURSELF!


Fish makes some extremely good points within his editorial, he firmly believes that "the humanities enhance our culture; the humanities make our society better", the fact that corporate America is trying to push out the essence of creativity is just sickening. America has to learn about other cultures, we have to be able to respond and understand other languages and customs. America does not make up the entirety of the world, and I think we forget that sometimes! 


If every American sat behind a desk and worked a corporate job nothing would ever get accomplished. If we cannot be active within the world we will quickly and rapidly fall as a world power while other more adaptable nations will take over trade and manufacturing. Art is the way of the world.