29 Comments
User's avatar
Orson Carte's avatar

No one is arguing whether a student has the right to enrol in a course, or piss money up the wall for whatever purpose they see fit. So it is not about rights ok.....

The question you should be more concerned with, is what purpose is served, either to the advancement of scientific discovery, or the furtherment of civilisation itself, that would interest an Institution such as Harvard with a course on an individual pop star?

Institutions such as Harvard don't just charge tuition fees. They are also publicly and privately funded. A citizen taxpayer toiling away with a full time job, working 50 odd hours a week is going to feel a lot differently about the allocation of his taxes to an institution that is at the cutting edge of technology and science because he gets a dividend out of that. Be it consumer products to make life easier or the society generally.

But an institution that schedules its resources for something like a TS course chose to do that instead of funding and housing say a STEM's course. Hence, diminishes the value of the institution and peoples faith in it. It knowingly cheapens its own value to society.

So people are free to blow their dough however they see fit but it is a social responsibility as much as a right to comment or have a say in a public institution. But hey, you're 74 so you knew that right?

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

I agree with you totally. To each their own no matter how stupidly un important it may seem to me. Its their money

Expand full comment
Orson Carte's avatar

Oh, well I’m glad you can see my point that the article was about why an institution like Harvard would sully its internationally acclaimed academic reputation with such a pointless course and not about students right to enrol in it.

Your initial comment was somewhat ambiguous to the fact. So too were your subsequent remarks of a bipartisan political nature.

That aside and the apparent conflicting views expressed, I appreciate you clarifying that you supported the premise of the article after all.

Expand full comment
George W's avatar

I'd look sideways with narrowed eyes at anyone that told me they're harvard "educated".

Expand full comment
Paul Jackson's avatar

I’m not sure that the Taylor Swift course is woke. I think it’s more likely that Harvard, and others, see falling enrollment as a threat and are looking for ways to mitigate that. I wonder what the acceptance criteria would be for this course, ability to secure a loan substantial to pay for it?

Expand full comment
Melanie Pflasterer's avatar

PROFESSOR NEEDS FIRED! KICKED OUT OF THE UNITED STATES 🇺🇸 NOW!!!!

Expand full comment
PSW's avatar

Hilarious. Taylor Swift is the epitome of conquest capitalism.😂😂😂

Expand full comment
Clinton Bodies's avatar

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Expand full comment
MPat's avatar

And to think, people actually pay money for that. Usually mama and daddy’s hard earn money.

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

If someone wants to pay $80000 to study TAYLOR SWIFT that's their money and their business. Mind your own.

Expand full comment
Timothy Tobin's avatar

Turning 72 in December… for-what that’s worth. ;0) YOU Made a “Pro Taylor Swift” comment… Ha ha ha

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

Well Buddy! Happy Birthday...to be honest...I wouldn't pay $80000 for a pop culture course but hey...at this time in World Culture letting people do their thing as long as its not hurting or infringing anyone else's rights Im all for...there's too many world leaders trying to bring back slavery. Pardon me if I was rude.

Expand full comment
Timothy Tobin's avatar

No worries. Have a nice day!

Expand full comment
Timothy Tobin's avatar

Pretty dopey , it’s NOT That Simple, comment! Bless your little heart… ;0)

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

Little Tim. Play with your kindergarten friends. Im 74 years old...Im not interested in your Baby Food thoughts.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar

Anyone who runs after or studies Taylor Swift is deranged. Very mediocre "singer" boring repetative "songs", and from her facial expression not a very nice person. TikTok and the like should be banned to protect the morons out there.

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

Paul. Seriously. I'm not a Taylor Swift fan either but WHY are you demonizing me because I believe its anyone's RIGHT if they want to…in my opinion…throw away $80000 on a Taylor Swift college course? A VERY UN-INTELLIGENT man and his followers are hell bent on tearing up America and you're hating me because Im only doing what Jesus said: ‘Judge ye not that ye be not judge. ' Seriously dude…are you that full of hate because I can't believe you are THAT stupid.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar
4dEdited

Nothing to do with hate, just despair at the low level of intellect of so many. What is the World coming coming to? Also taking up university space for trash when it could be put to much better use.

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

I agree with you and pardon me if I was rude. You are one of the SANE ones but save your emotional energy for things worth your energy for all we know some ill person might have posted that just to sabotage HARVARD...AND...there are kids whose parents have more gold than sense and if you DONT have to work

for your gold, a course on a gilded Pop Princess might be the course your parents will pay for just to brag their child is at HARVARD. Have a peaceful weekend.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar

Accepted. Having worked with the Queen of England, plus met Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev, it is depressing how trivial the mindset of many is today.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar

Why would anyone want to study Taylor Swift? Why study trash? There are a lot of mentally ill out tgere.

Expand full comment
Kevan Hudson's avatar

How long this course lasts after Taylor gets married and pregnant?..ha..ha

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

You too.

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

Its as simple as you want to make it. Its called CHOICE. You MAGA'S don't understand the concept. You want to DICTATE according to YOUR DICTIMS. Control your own life, Leave mine alone.

Expand full comment
MacGuffin's avatar

Actually, we're just having a laugh. Calm down.

Expand full comment
Ray Shell's avatar

My middle name is Calm.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar

No, your middle name is Prat.

Expand full comment
Paul's avatar

Ah you are a Dumbocrat, that explains everything. Poor thing.

Expand full comment
Timothy Tobin's avatar

This is a great Common Sense take. I appreciate it! Peace.

Expand full comment