THE ALICE-IN-WONDERLAND WORLD OF ACADEMIA
THE ALICE-IN-WONDERLAND WORLD OF
ACADEMIA, OR PATRIOTISM THROUGH
THE LOOKING GLASS OF AN ACADEMIC
by
Ken Eliasberg
As you know, I have, from time to time, made it clear that I am less than impressed with many academics, and frankly this saddens me. I grew up with a very healthy respect and high regard for education, in general, and scholarship in particular. In my home, it was made clear to me that education was extremely important; college and graduate school were not options—they were essentials. While I thoroughly enjoyed the entire educational experience, which included 5 degrees and a stint at teaching in a law school in the community in which I resided, it cured me of any illusions that I might entertain regarding the superior brain power of academics—the ivory tower frequently results in many of these people being very far removed from reality.
What happened to academia—particularly our institutions of higher learning? Very simple, the guys who wanted to burn the schools down in the