New Frank Furedi book, 'What's Happened to the University?'
Have just got Frank Furedi's excellent latest book, What's Happened to the University? Good related articles/extracts here:
There's an Aussie review of it here on Frank's website. While I don't agree with all of his work on other subjects (I certainly disagree with him on Brexit and 'national sovereignty'), I recognise (especially from online communities) the preoccupations of the younger generation which he dissects and highlights. I think a major factor is the commercialisation of higher education, through the abolition of grants and introduction of fees: the idea that students are now customers, and "the customer is always right". It's all about flattering them, providing a service to them, rather than giving them the intellectual tools for study and thought as independent adults. They regard themselves as effectively buying their degrees, and don't want their feathers ruffled in the process. There were always a few people like that (generally from more privileged backgrounds), but that attitude has now spread more widely.