The moral conflict being refered to is that corporatization directly violates the enlightenment philosophy of education. This philosophy has for many been internalized and taken for granted as the foundation for American education to the point it can not be well articulated. What it basically says ( although has not often achieved ) is: a. education is a forum to exchange contrasting ideas and let reason and the scientific method prove what is to the best of our knowledge correct. With the explicit assumption that all ideas be given equal opportunity open expression and to succeed or fail on their own merits. b. Human beings can and should better themselves as human beings through education and that it is a process not a diploma. Although application of these principals has been historically spotty by at least asserting they were the ideal allowed for a lot to happen. Although we still as I said earlier presume these to still be the case in practice they have for the most part long since passed by the wayside. I won't even begin to rant about what it has become. Anyway to make a short story long these exclusive contracts impinge upon the concept of open expression by limiting choice and opening the institution to intellectual extortion such as having to ban or hide competitors existence on the campus. What if the University enters into exclusive contract with amazon.com and they refuse to stock products that critisize them that could be assigned in legal, business or pr ethics classes. (they still have such classes don't they?)
"Never let your schooling interfere with your education" -Samuel Clemens
When corporations were given the same rights as citizens government ceased to serve the population. We now more than ever vote with dollars and not ballots. At least through our purchases we can effect policy. If you want to change the system we have socially move away from constant growth as the foundation of our culture. Only when we begin to value ourselves more than profits will that happen. As I see it the three reforms that would be needed to put political and judicial power back in the hands of the non-corporate population would be: Revoke those laws that give corporations the same rights as if they were people. Comprehensive campaign finance reform that makes it fair and affordable to run for office. i.e. free t.v. ad time for everyone who has enough signatures to qualify to run for office. (this also might get more honest people to run) Significant penalties for corporations that abuse the public trust quickly and aggressivly pursued under the auspices of reform 1. With penalties such as nationalizing corporate assets and redistributing them. (one of the draconian suggestions of what to do with microsoft;)) In summary the system has been bought and paid for out from under our noses so long ago that it seems like it's always been this way. "abuse of power should come as no surprise" -unknown
Technology is only one aspect of the beacon schools attempts to push the envelope. It has been sanctified and vilified throughout the education community. The confusion about it's public/private status is one of the reasons it gets attacked. It is public but is considered by some to be exclusionary and elitest. (I don't know enough to have an opinion) I have to admit my own assigned readings about the school got the quick skim treatment. Regardless in the education realm they are controversial if not well regarded for their political and philosophical attempts to provide a good education. "As soon as I diversified my interests, my friends became diversified." Sherman Alexie 02-03-00
Slashdot Mirror
"Never let your schooling interfere with your education" -Samuel Clemens
When corporations were given the same rights as citizens government ceased to serve the population. We now more than ever vote with dollars and not ballots. At least through our purchases we can effect policy. If you want to change the system we have socially move away from constant growth as the foundation of our culture. Only when we begin to value ourselves more than profits will that happen. As I see it the three reforms that would be needed to put political and judicial power back in the hands of the non-corporate population would be: Revoke those laws that give corporations the same rights as if they were people. Comprehensive campaign finance reform that makes it fair and affordable to run for office. i.e. free t.v. ad time for everyone who has enough signatures to qualify to run for office. (this also might get more honest people to run) Significant penalties for corporations that abuse the public trust quickly and aggressivly pursued under the auspices of reform 1. With penalties such as nationalizing corporate assets and redistributing them. (one of the draconian suggestions of what to do with microsoft;)) In summary the system has been bought and paid for out from under our noses so long ago that it seems like it's always been this way. "abuse of power should come as no surprise" -unknown
Technology is only one aspect of the beacon schools attempts to push the envelope. It has been sanctified and vilified throughout the education community. The confusion about it's public/private status is one of the reasons it gets attacked. It is public but is considered by some to be exclusionary and elitest. (I don't know enough to have an opinion) I have to admit my own assigned readings about the school got the quick skim treatment. Regardless in the education realm they are controversial if not well regarded for their political and philosophical attempts to provide a good education. "As soon as I diversified my interests, my friends became diversified." Sherman Alexie 02-03-00