If we were never questioned, able to question or made to feel uncomfortable, we as individuals, and our societies, would not be able to progress.

It reminds me of that old saw: “The older I get, the more questions and less answers I have”…

Actually, I don’t feel that much like an order-taker. (In teaching, as with journalism, I do tend to see the glass half-full.) I run across the very occasional student who believes that simply showing up for class should entitle him/her to pass, but I am actually delighted with the majority of students I have. Most of them put in enormous efforts in the classes that I teach. There are a few who don’t, but my guess is that it’s because they ended up in the program because they couldn’t think of what else to do so they’re simply not motivated.

I found the quote an interesting one more as a jolt to my own thinking. I’m susceptible to a tendency to try to make everyone happy (okay, I know none of my critics will believe it) and the quote reminded me of the very useful role to be played by making people uncomfortable.

Are you noticing that there is a larger sense of ego and entitlement amongst students today?

I have several friends who are teachers who tell me that it’s pretty damn difficult to engage with students today. Besides feeling that just showing up should entitle them to a high mark, curiosity, motivation and learning just for the joy of it seem to be lacking. My attitude is that every first year college or university student should have at least a year of liberal atrs education to get them thinking.

Logically, since journalism would seem to attract the seekers and questioners amongst students, do you note those same problems and attitudes in the j-school cohort?