[SeeDave]

I would prefer a university structure where B.S. + M.S. is earned in four years by focusing on core major requirements to then have humanities courses offered at no cost via the alumni association as part of continuing education throughout one's twenties.

[qntty]

That's funny because I actually think that the opposite would be nice. You never know what technical knowledge you'll end up needing, so it would be nice to have technical education integrated with work throughout the first several years of working. But everyone can benefit from having a broad education in liberal arts and sciences.

[waheoo]

Youre forgetting that study is optional and most of us have little to no interest in liberal arts and sciences.

[enterabdazer]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23436342

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23436077

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23436085

Do we need fancier widgets or people with the capacity for and appreciation of human development?

Is the world suffering from a lack of scientific progress or a lack of sophistication in human problems?

Do more people suffer from depression or insufficient software quality?

Do you think that the people who develop software could benefit from exposure to wider philosophical thought or from a better IDE?

Outside of technology, are we better, more capable human beings than we were 100 years ago?

It's alarming that many STEM-natives think the wider human experience isn't worthwhile. It's a prerequisite for progress.

Technology is just tools, and tools are means to an end. What's the end we're shooting for? That's the humanities.

[hliyan]

I agree. Let me reproduce the last paragraph of the top level comment I submitted above:

Finally, as someone trained in the physical sciences, I used to look down on social scientists. I no longer do this. At least they're brave enough to tackle a complex monster with the limited tools at their disposal, stumbling and even enduring ridicule from the hard sciences. We ignore the human mind and collections thereof, because it's too complex and prefer the relative comfort of simple, predictable systems. I don't believe that's good.

[qntty]

It would be nice to have as an option for those who do have an interest. I suspect that most would have an interest in college level liberal arts and sciences if it didn't conflict with getting a job.