Heartland

How do you convince accountants that life is enriched by reading Plutarch?

You haven't read any Tom Sharpe novels have you?

sultan2075 wrote:High school is paid for by the government here...

That's public high school, not private or parochial, of course.

timsinister wrote:

How do you convince accountants that life is enriched by reading Plutarch?

You haven't read any Tom Sharpe novels have you?

Err, no. I've never heard of him, actually. Did I inadvertently say something funnier than intended? What can you tell me?

SINsister wrote:

sultan2075 wrote:High school is paid for by the government here...

That's public high school, not private or parochial, of course.

This is true. It's also why my public college students are borderline illiterate, while the ones at the private university are an absolute joy to teach--because they actually read.

sultan2075 wrote:

timsinister wrote:

How do you convince accountants that life is enriched by reading Plutarch?

You haven't read any Tom Sharpe novels have you?

Err, no. I've never heard of him, actually. Did I inadvertently say something funnier than intended? What can you tell me?

His 'Wilt' series deals with a polytechnic lecturer whose college is trying to crowbar high literature and philosophy into plumbers, accountants, and cooks. It just seemed like a direct copy...in real life!

Highly recommended breakneck-speed half-slapstick half-dark-satire comedy.

timsinister wrote:

sultan2075 wrote:

timsinister wrote: You haven't read any Tom Sharpe novels have you?

Err, no. I've never heard of him, actually. Did I inadvertently say something funnier than intended? What can you tell me?

His 'Wilt' series deals with a polytechnic lecturer whose college is trying to crowbar high literature and philosophy into plumbers, accountants, and cooks. It just seemed like a direct copy...in real life!

Highly recommended breakneck-speed half-slapstick half-dark-satire comedy.

@ Tim - from looking at your most recent avatar and your new one - do you drink much? - Just an observation you understand?

*breathes*

Quiet, you.

It has been observed before, Andy. Anything really give it away?

timsinister wrote:Quiet, you.

It has been observed before, Andy. Anything really give it away?

Did I say something amusing?

There's no defense I can mount that boudicca cannot crush. I'll leave her to mop the place with the rags of my reputation!

timsinister wrote:There's no defense I can mount that boudicca cannot crush. I'll leave her to mop the place with the rags of my reputation!

@ Tim - You mean you HAD a reputation to begin with

sultan2075 wrote:How do you convince accountants that life is enriched by reading Plutarch?

How did it come to pass that the notion that knowledge and education are ends in themselves (rather than means to an end), become, well, so old-fashioned?

...because everything in Western society(ies) is now viewed as a commodity.

SINsister wrote:...because everything in Western society(ies) is now viewed as a commodity.

From "Personnel" to "Human Resources". Go figure.

markfiend wrote:

sultan2075 wrote:How do you convince accountants that life is enriched by reading Plutarch?

How did it come to pass that the notion that knowledge and education are ends in themselves (rather than means to an end), become, well, so old-fashioned?

I blame the Enlightenment

Actually, in this case, I blame 20th century American progressive "reformers," chief among them John Dewey.

SINsister wrote:...because everything in Western society(ies) is now viewed as a commodity.

I'll buy into that thought