The Tolkien Template - Carrying on the torch of mythology and folklore - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

greyhavener · 11-24-2002, 11:10 PM

littlemanpoet: "Yes, we are witnessing the demise of liberal arts and humanities in the educational system. Truth be told (correct me if I'm wrong, Sharon), the late 19th century and most of the 20th century were unique in that ANY individual, regardless of economic and social background, had the opportunity to become so educated and not pay the price of being a poverty stricken educate."

We have more access to free information today than at any time during history. If a person wants a liberal education he or she can attain one independent of formal college training. Perhaps an education so attained might produce an individual with sufficient motivation to become the next Tolkien or Bach.

Tolkien tinkered with Middle Earth for about sixty years. After the Hobbit was published, it took him fourteen years (I think) to write the Lord of the Rings. And he didn't quit his day job to do it. I think it's a question of whether an individual in our "instant" society is motivated to invest the toil and effort to produce a work as brilliant as LOTR, not whether anyone alive not is capable of it.

[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]

11-24-2002, 11:10 PM	#11
greyhavener Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: austin Posts: 169	littlemanpoet: "Yes, we are witnessing the demise of liberal arts and humanities in the educational system. Truth be told (correct me if I'm wrong, Sharon), the late 19th century and most of the 20th century were unique in that ANY individual, regardless of economic and social background, had the opportunity to become so educated and not pay the price of being a poverty stricken educate." We have more access to free information today than at any time during history. If a person wants a liberal education he or she can attain one independent of formal college training. Perhaps an education so attained might produce an individual with sufficient motivation to become the next Tolkien or Bach. Tolkien tinkered with Middle Earth for about sixty years. After the Hobbit was published, it took him fourteen years (I think) to write the Lord of the Rings. And he didn't quit his day job to do it. I think it's a question of whether an individual in our "instant" society is motivated to invest the toil and effort to produce a work as brilliant as LOTR, not whether anyone alive not is capable of it. [ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ] __________________ Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8