Nov 24, 08 11:46pm Permalink Wherein my parents and I debate universities' place in society Me: I had a conversation with that Dean from Northwestern yesterday. I told her she should put all of the professors' lectures online. Dad: I think that's a terrible idea. Me: What?? WHY? The public should have equal access to that knowledge. Dad: There are costs associated with that. It's proprietary information and it's theirs to do with as they please. How do you suggest the universities pay for themselves? Me: If you want to think about it in mercenary terms - which I think is wrong - you could view them as advertisements. Mom: Doesn't MIT put all of its lectures online? Everyone: [Some discussion ensues about this subject. Various opinions are floated. No one bothers to check.] Me: But if universities are to receive tax-free status, they should provide a certain benefit to the community. Dad: They are providing a benefit - they're teaching students. Me: Why should a thousand really rich Princeton students benefit and no one else? Dad: Why are you so big on other people providing things free of charge? Somebody's got to pay for it. Me: Someone is paying the taxes that those universities aren't paying! Dad: I'm paying those taxes! Me: You and I agree that the universities are for the public good? Dad: No. It's for *a* public good, but it doesn't belong to the public. Me: Ugh. This conversation is imminently frustrating.
