I’d be happy if they’d study even MATH

The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts has an interesting column in the Wall Street Journal:

…you should read the studies

that are now coming out about American civic participation. Our country

is dividing into two distinct behavioral groups. One group spends most

of its free time sitting at home as passive consumers of electronic

entertainment. Even family communication is breaking down as members

increasingly spend their time alone, staring at their individual

screens.

The other group also uses and

enjoys the new technology, but these individuals balance it with a

broader range of activities. They go out–to exercise, play sports,

volunteer and do charity work at about three times the level of the

first group. By every measure they are vastly more active and socially

engaged than the first group.

What is the defining difference

between passive and active citizens? Curiously, it isn’t income,

geography or even education. It depends on whether or not they read for

pleasure and participate in the arts. These cultural activities seem to

awaken a heightened sense of individual awareness and social

responsibility.

To the extent that this is not rent-seeking from artists on the dole, I agree.  I’m heartily sick of passive, one-dimensional students plodding through some degree program hoping to land a corporate or government iron rice bowl.