Shiro

[Kuya]

Maybe you can help me understand this since you study biology and might be in tune with the mindset, even though i'm talking from a Puerto Rican perspective. Anyway, context:

There's been a strike going on for two weeks now, the student, teachers and worker's unions are demanding that the administration allow what they call "exenciones de matricula" which means that those who qualify, can avoid paying. That the administration provide more courses, and that in lieu of this that they have the budget increased in conjunction with the government, and that they also allow the hiring of more teachers and unfreeze mobility. The most important demands were more fiscal openess, allowing the "excenciones de matricula" and the increase in courses for summer.

Now, there are students who think that the strike should stop because they need to take classes. Graduate, go to exchange programs, etc. The majority of these students and teachers, the great majority was from the Natural Science faculty. Now, their arguments and stances struck me as severely egotistical. I heard a lot of "I need to graduate, I need to do investigations, I need to study", etc, rather than consider that if the strike suceeds we all benefit, consider that some people need these "excenciones" and that some students won't be able to afford the rise in tuition, or consider solidarity with other students.

Now, because the great majority were from the faculty of Natural Science, do you understand why their point of view seems to selfish to me? Where do it stem from? Do you agree with it, can you see where they're coming from? What relationship does it have to the fact that they study natural science?

[Blarg]

what do you mean natural science

what is the unnatural science

[Shiroikage]

I can go into detail if you want but quite simply:

1) Natural science students see this more as job training and think that the vast majority of other programs are worthless.

2) Science is extremely competitive and for higher awards (which admittedly the majority of natural science students won't be applying for and won't be receiving) may take time of completion into account.

3) Many natural science students are not particularly socially minded and simply don't give a shit.

[Kuya]

Go into more detail, pls.

[Shiroikage]

you have no idea how much time we spend ridiculing people taking degrees in stuff like history and art

[Kuya]

We ridicule art (not a lot, they are useful for social mobilization), but not history. Now more detail pls!

[Kuya]

Shiro, what i am getting from you is that people in natural science tend to have an elitist view of the world, or a sense that they are worth more and more useful. Is that an accurate interpretation?

[Shiroikage]

I don't know really know where to begin. There's some very massive differences in viewpoints. It's pretty evident if you know a lot of natural science students. Most of my friends are engineering or natural science students, and I can't imagine most getting behind your strike. For one, natural science programs are usually more work intensive and it cultivates a different mindset. It very much feels more like training than education, and, although most students don't really know what job they will get when they are done, they have a better idea than someone taking lit.. Moreover, we have higher earning potential than students in a lot of other programs(from my recollection, at least). The strike might seem like a larger obstacle to them because they have a much clearer point A and point B.

I don't know any natural science students who wouldn't burst out laughing if someone talked about going to university to do anything but learn skills and techniques that would prepare them for a future job or position. The concept of people going to university to broaden their horizons, get enlightened, or because they love learning is comedy gold to us. That's stuff to do on your own time.

Honestly, the simple fact that it gets social science and humanities students riled up is almost enough for some of us to oppose it out of reflex. I am not one of those people, but I do know a handful.

I really wish I could just give you my brain for a while, I have a difficult time articulating things especially when not asked one question at a time.

[Shiroikage]

Shiro, what i am getting from you is that people in natural science tend to have an elitist view of the world, or a sense that they are worth more and more useful. Is that an accurate interpretation?

The latter. Most of us believe we have a more useful skill set. I am one of those who believe it.

[Kuya]

Is it possible that the mentality has less to do with their study of interests and more to do with their study programs? As you said, their work is more intensive, and it seems to be about getting from Point A to Point B, i assume this means one-track mind.

I also noticed in the videos that these natural science students did not seem to be fully informed of the circumstances and it made them look quite ignorant.

[Shiroikage]

Is it possible that the mentality has less to do with their study of interests and more to do with their study programs? As you said, their work is more intensive, and it seems to be about getting from Point A to Point B, i assume this means one-track mind.

I also noticed in the videos that these natural science students did not seem to be fully informed of the circumstances and it made them look quite ignorant.

It's most definitely to do with the programs.

And the fact is, most of us don't care as long as we're just able to get done.

[Shiroikage]

I also noticed in the videos that these natural science students did not seem to be fully informed of the circumstances and it made them look quite ignorant.

Honestly, I am lucky enough to have a hotshit brain but a lot of people are completely swamped just doing their programs. They probably didn't care enough to get informed.

[Conrad]

you have no idea how much time we spend ridiculing people taking degrees in stuff like history and art

[Kuya]

Hmm, if the issue is institutional, then perhaps that is where efforts should be aimed.

[Shiroikage]

I'm sorry you had to hear that.

[Kuya]

Listening to more videos, it really does seem that their stance consists entirely of: Fuck You I Got Mine

[Shiroikage]

That's what it is.

[Shiroikage]

I remember some dude asked me to sign a petition to save asian studies at our university once and I said no.
And he said why. And I told him that I didn't really think it was a very practical degree. And he asked me what I was doing. And I told him. And he didn't have an answer. That was a victory that day.

[Shiroikage]

wish he would've told me that biochemistry and/or microbiology and immunology weren't practical with a straight face

[Shiroikage]

i hope that gives you insight into my soul, kuya