A New Perspective on Modern Education

In this article, we present to you a somewhat more humorous and even slightly sarcastic view of modern education — that of American writer and literary critic Wendell Berry.

Approximate reading time: 1m 46s

In his collection of essays titled „Sex, Economy, Freedom and Community“, he published the following text:

„In fact, as we know, the new commercial education is fun for everyone. All you have to do to get or to secure such an education is to pay (in advance) and master a few simple truths:

Educated people are more valuable than the rest because education is a value-adding industry.

Educated people are better than the rest because education refines people and makes them better.

The purpose of education is to enable people to make more and more money.

The place where you will use your education is called a „career“.

Something that cannot be weighed, measured, or counted does not exist.

So-called humanities probably do not exist. But even if they do exist, they are useless. And whether they exist or not, or whether they are useful or not, they can sometimes be used to support a career.

Literacy does not include knowing the meaning of words, studying grammar, or reading books.

A hallmark of extremely intelligent people is knowledge of a language that is understandable only to other people from their „field“ or only to themselves. This is quite an impressive skill and is known as „professionalism“.

The smartest and most educated people are scientists, because they have already found solutions to all our problems and will soon find solutions to all the problems arising from their solutions to all the problems we have had.

A good teacher can be recognized by the fact that he/she spends most of the time researching and writing books and articles.

A good researcher can be recognized by the same signs as those characteristic of a good teacher.

A good university has many computers, has signed numerous research contracts with various governmental or corporate entities, its team is always among the winners, and the number of administrative staff exceeds the number of lecturers.

Computers make people better and smarter (…). And if some people turn out to be irredeemably evil or foolish, computers will amplify those qualities.

The main thing is not to let education interfere with treating children well. Children are our future. Spend a lot of money on them, but do not keep them at home with you and do not interfere. Do not give them tasks; they are smart and can figure out on their own what to do. Do not teach them any of the terrible, unimportant, restrictive, outdated morality. Provide them with plenty of television programs, microwave dinners, babysitters, computers, computer games, and so on. For all this, they will love us and respect us and will be happy to grow up and pay our debts.

A good school is a big school.

Disarm the children before you send them into it.“

Source: http://www.teachthought.com/learning/new-commercial-education/

Често задавани въпроси

What is Wendell Berry's view of modern education in this article?

Wendell Berry offers a humorous, sharply ironic critique of modern education. He describes it as a commercial system that treats education as a product, measures success by money and credentials, and values career outcomes over learning. The tone is sarcastic, but the message is serious: education should not be reduced to business or bureaucracy.

What does Berry mean by the "new commercial education"?

By "new commercial education," Berry means an education system shaped by market logic. In his description, people are told that education adds value, improves status, and exists mainly to help them earn more money. He presents this as a parody of how education is often framed when it becomes closely tied to careers, contracts, and profit.

How does Berry describe the role of humanities in education?

Berry mocks the idea that the humanities are useless unless they can support a career. In his text, subjects that cannot be measured or counted are treated as if they do not exist, and the humanities are dismissed in the same way. His point is that this attitude strips education of depth, meaning, and human value.

What criticism does Berry make about professional language and "professionalism"?

Berry satirizes jargon-filled language that only people inside a field can understand. He suggests that this kind of language is treated as a sign of intelligence and calls it "professionalism." His criticism is that expertise can become self-protective and empty when it values obscure language more than clear thought or real understanding.

What does Berry say about good teachers, researchers, and universities?

Berry gives ironic definitions of what counts as a good teacher, researcher, and university. He suggests that teachers and researchers are judged by research output and publications, while a good university is marked by computers, contracts, victories, and a large administrative staff. This reflects his criticism of institutions that prioritize bureaucracy and appearances over education itself.

What is Berry's message about children and schools?

Berry warns against treating children as future workers while ignoring how they are raised now. He criticizes giving them expensive tools and entertainment without guidance, discipline, or moral teaching. His closing irony about schools and children suggests that education should protect and form children, not simply prepare them to repay adult debts.