real life

Mike Cole (mcole who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu)
Thu, 3 Dec 1998 08:45:11 -0800 (PST)

Swamped with end of the quarter assignments and an over-rich set of
research and teaching responsibilities, I have only been able to follow
the recent discussions about privitization/education/vocation/etc by
exercising my limited powers of fast reading.

Very practically speaking, I find myself at the intersection of the
set of contradictions that are exposing themselves in the discussion,
so I am learning from both those who are pointing to strong tendency
in hyper/globalized capitalism and those who are pointing out that
reconnecting schooling with life out of school can have positive and
negative consequences. The role of our own medium, telecommunications
has the same double sided character which is very strongly felt in
the Univeristy of California spread across nine campuses and a lot
more associated institutions of higher learning here in the state.

Thanks to all who are chipping in with their experiences, references,
and guesses about the future.

I am somewhat concerned by the confrontational tone of some recent
messages when writers are unhappy with the opinions they encounter.

Anyone who is certain that they know what the future holds and what
each of the members of XMCA should do about it might raise their hand.
I have my opinions, but I find certainty a little difficult to come
by.
mike