Does Humanity Fit in a Business Equation?

The New York Times ran an article this week about how universities are out dated and should be run on a business model to make them more competitive and relevant to modern society. I initially had a lot to say about the merits of a liberal arts education, classics, learning for learning's sake and all that jazz. Earlier this week, however, I had to opportunity to listen to one of my favorite authors do a reading and Q and A while sitting out under the stars on a perfect spring evening. And I realized that the real problem with this article is that it fails to account for these intangibles. There is a desire and need people have for readings, poetry, conversation--things that cannot be quantified or put into a business model--things that help make us human. It is, among other things, this type of analysis and the desire to make things profitable and efficient that has all but eliminated troubadours, scops or any other type of professional story teller and the ability to make a living writing poetry of painting. So instead of refuting the article I am going to go home today, draw and take a walk and I would encourage you to do something creative today and take time to enjoy the scenery--something that defies a bussiness model.