Summary of the Key Points
This article takes Zhong Meimei's decision to switch to anthropology after a year of gap as an entry point to discuss a series of current controversies and transformations facing universities: from debates about the usefulness of liberal arts and the necessity of attending university, to the phenomenon of universities cutting programs in pursuit of trends like companies, to the impact of AI on traditional classrooms, and the varying perspectives of tech leaders like Elon Musk and OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman on the value of higher education. Ultimately, it raises a central question: What is the true purpose of a university— to cultivate individuals or to produce “instrumental” talents?
Detailed Analysis
1. Zhong Meimei's Choice of Anthropology: A Debate on Usefulness and Uselessness
Zhong Meimei decided to leave her acting major for anthropology, sparking a heated discussion among netizens. Some praised her for being independent and financially capable, while others questioned the usefulness of studying a liberal arts degree, suggesting she could have invested her money in a more profitable venture. Her response resonated with many young people: “I’m only 19; I want to explore life and experience campus life.” This reflects a redefined view of university by today’s youth, who no longer see a good degree or a popular major as their only goal, but rather focus on what they truly want to learn. Those who criticize the uselessness of liberal arts may not realize that anthropology, by studying why humans behave the way they do, can actually help them better understand the motivations behind their roles in acting, providing a deeper understanding that goes beyond mere technical skills.
2. Universities as “Companies”: Cutting Programs in Pursuit of Trends
Sixteen years ago, *New Weekly* compared universities to “strange companies” that charge high tuition fees without guaranteeing returns, treating students as “raw materials” to be processed into “products.” This trend is now even more evident, with majors being created and eliminated based on industry trends. In the past five years, 5,345 programs have been discontinued nationwide, averaging three per day. The problem is that universities often react too slowly to industry developments; by the time graduates emerge, the trends have already turned into crises. For example, despite over 600 universities offering AI programs, most teachers are trained in computer science and are teaching on the fly, leaving students uncertain about their career prospects in the AI industry.
3. The Arrival of AI: Classrooms Turning into “AI vs. AI”
AI is reshaping the classroom experience. Teachers use AI to create lecture notes, and students use it to organize their notes and search for answers, turning the classroom into a game where AI replaces human interaction. Peking University professor Ma Liang views this as a waste of time, as the classroom should be a space for genuine teacher-student interaction. He suggests replacing traditional courses with project-based learning, where both teachers and students work together on real-world projects. This approach encourages active participation and transforms AI from a substitute to a tool that enhances learning.
4. What Do the Big Names Think About Universities?
Elon Musk’s perspective is quite critical: “Did Shakespeare attend university?” He views university as a place for fun, a way to prove one’s ability to complete tedious tasks and to spend time with peers. Despite attending Princeton and then dropping out to start a business after just two days at Stanford, he believes universities are not essential. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, also dropped out of Stanford to pursue his career, but he argues that a university education provides a theoretical foundation that is hard to acquire elsewhere. Stanford’s flexible withdrawal policy (allowing students to return after eight years) gives them the freedom to experiment and avoid the stigma of dropping out.
5. The True Value of a University: Not Just a Degree, but the Beginning of Becoming Yourself
Zhong Meimei longs for campus life, and Altman encourages freshmen to embrace their individuality. The purpose of a university goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it’s a stepping stone to independent living, a time for exploring with peers, and a place to develop interdisciplinary thinking (Musk suggests that engineering students should study economics and literature). While AI can provide knowledge, it cannot replace the experience of interacting with people, the courage to explore the unknown, or the process of becoming a unique individual. The most valuable aspect of a university is the time it offers for making mistakes and exploring before reaching adulthood.
This article does not offer a definitive answer, but it prompts us to reconsider the role of university as not a mandatory experience, but an optional journey in life. The question is: What do you want to gain from this time? Who do you want to become?