The Decline of Literature: A Social Commentary
The speaker expresses concern over the dwindling value placed on literature and humanities, both in academia and in the broader societal context. This decline is evidenced by decreasing enrollment rates, program revocations at universities, and a challenging job market for graduates in these fields. The speaker aims to explore the reasons behind this trend and its implications, drawing on interviews with individuals from diverse educational backgrounds.
University Program Cuts and Enrollment Decline
Recent years have seen a concerning trend in higher education, with numerous universities reducing or eliminating their liberal arts programs.
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Fudan University plans to decrease liberal arts recruitment from 30-40% to 20%.
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Universities such as Tsinghua and Jida have canceled recruitment for liberal arts programs like French and Philosophy since 2019.
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The Chinese University of China revoked majors including English and archaeology in 2023, and other universities have followed suit.
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Between 2019 and 2022, the Ministry of Education reviewed and revoked over 1,422 majors.
These cuts are not due to a lack of students; college entrance examination applicant numbers are increasing. Despite this, literature programs are rapidly declining. This trend extends beyond China, with institutions like Harvard and universities in England and South Korea also scaling back humanities courses.
The Root Cause: Poor Employment Prospects
The primary reason for the decline in literature programs appears to be poor employment opportunities for graduates.
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Data from recruitment platforms show that humanities and social science graduates consistently have the lowest offer rates.
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Unemployment rates are also notably high in literature-related fields in countries like the United States.
This stark reality makes it difficult for universities to attract students to these programs, furthering the cycle of decline.
The "Truth vs. Money" Dilemma
The speaker suggests that the core issue lies in the perceived impracticality of literature and the humanities. These fields are seen as "too close to the truth and too far from money," emphasizing values that are difficult to quantify in a capitalist society.
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The speaker draws a parallel to the declining value of diamonds and pianos, suggesting that these items, like literature, are losing their symbolic meaning in the face of economic pressures.
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In times of financial hardship, the perceived impracticality of these fields makes them seem less valuable, leading to their devaluation.
The Expansion of Higher Education and its Impact
The expansion of higher education in China, particularly starting in 1999, played a significant role in the current situation.
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Driven by the Asian financial crisis and domestic reforms, the expansion aimed to provide opportunities for millions of high school graduates who couldn't access college.
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The WTO entry in 2001 further fueled the growth of humanities programs, as globalization demanded skills in foreign languages and related fields.
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Liberal arts programs were often favored due to their lower cost and ease of implementation, even in institutions lacking the necessary resources.
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This rapid expansion may have led to a dilution of quality, with some programs offering subpar instruction and outdated content.
The Quality of Education and Practical Skills
Interviews with students reveal concerns about the quality and relevance of education in some literature programs.
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Some teachers are described as delivering uninspired lectures, simply reading from PowerPoint presentations.
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Students often find that the skills they need for the job market are better learned through internships or online resources.
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The speaker suggests that many literature graduates lack the practical skills needed to compete in the current job market.
The Changing Job Market and the Rise of AI
The speaker highlights the challenges faced by literature graduates in a rapidly evolving job market.
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The rise of the internet and globalization initially created opportunities for humanities graduates, but these opportunities are now shrinking.
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The emergence of AI is further compressing the job market for writers and content creators, as AI can now generate sophisticated text for various purposes.
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This technological shift poses a significant threat to the long-term viability of certain careers traditionally held by literature graduates.
The Suppression of Critical Thinking
The speaker expresses concern about the suppression of critical thinking and independent inquiry within academic institutions.
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Teachers who encourage students to think critically about social and political issues may face censorship or disciplinary action.
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The fear of being reported for "loss of respect and virtue" discourages teachers from engaging in challenging or controversial topics.
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This environment creates a disincentive for teachers to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective reporters or critical thinkers.
The Future of Literature and the Humanities
Despite the challenges, the speaker believes that literature and the humanities still have value.
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Society needs individuals who can conduct in-depth reporting, analyze complex issues, and offer thoughtful perspectives.
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However, the current system is failing to equip students with the skills and support they need to succeed in these fields.
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The speaker emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, even in the face of institutional pressures.
Conclusion
The decline of literature and the humanities is a complex issue with deep roots in economic pressures, educational policies, and societal values. While the challenges are significant, the speaker remains hopeful that these fields can be revitalized by fostering critical thinking, promoting practical skills, and valuing the unique contributions that literature and the humanities bring to society. The speaker concludes with a plea for understanding and solidarity, urging viewers to see beyond professional labels and recognize the shared humanity that connects us all.