capitalism and universities
denis jonnes (djengltl@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp)
Wed, 24 Mar 1999 15:43:07 +0900
Re universities-and-capitalism thread (and Salinger, too, who was
definitely NOT keen on universities, particularly of a particular
east-coast type): I'm coming here in the middle of something, but as
academic desperate to keep finger in the pie and working in distant
foreign land as result ("visiting foreign lecturer"), I am interested in
the whole issue of academia, particularly its progressive,
literary/cultural-studies versions, and the kinds of stance they take
vis a vis American society in its present-day, hyper-capitalist phase
They (i.e.literary academics) are pretty much against it--it remains
racist, is class-ridden, is more imperialist than ever (in guise of
globalism), information channels are controlled by billionaire-owned
media, etc. Liberal/progressive critics speak on behalf of
"inclusiveness"--they are anti-discrimination of all sorts, oppose
hierarchies, seek community, etc.--but universities, with their rigid
system of ranking, restrictive admissions policies, and incredibly high
hurdles as regards hiring can hardly be called enlightened
institutions--indeed, they are relics of a feudal era, and I see almost
no academic today calling attention to this or criticizing it. In fact,
universities do as much to perpetuate inequalities and status quo as
government and corporations.
Salinger was beginning to see this in his criticisms of ivy league
snobbery--something certain other writers of the time picked up on
(Kerouac and Ginsberg dropped out of Columbia; Nabokov too was quite
anti-academic, but from another angle)--but it's something one would
think there would have been more of.
As one desperately trying to get "things written," I don't often have
time to contribute, but much enjoy the talk. My best to everyone out
there (and whoever it was that recommended *Oscar and Lucinda*--would
not have seen this wonderfully quirky movie otherwise).
Denis Jonnes
p.s. The Lark cigarette company has just started a big billboard
advertising campaign here, under the slogan "Perfect Days"--in big white
capital letters against photobackdrop of young man with dark hair,
thirty or so, sitting on beach under blue, sunny skies. No sign of
Sybil, though; but with a Lark, who needs a Sybil?