Published in Volume 48, Issue 4.
The media scholar Neil Postman warned us about two kinds of speech: stupid talk and crazy talk. Postman utilizes means and ends to differentiate the two. Stupid talk employs discourse that is confused or inaccurate in its means, while the morality of its overall goal remains coherent. Crazy talk is the more ominous and invokes an immoral goal – the more successful the means so much the worse for the social actors. For example, educating tens of thousands UW degree holders per year across the system seems noble enough – but accomplishing this through budget cuts seems pretty stupid. A far more serious problem emerges from the crazy perversion of the Wisconsin Idea.
Originally and authentically, the Wisconsin Idea understood the UW as a kind of moral safeguard against the “predatory wealth” of monopoly, collusion and corruption by politicians and business. Espoused in the Wisconsin Idea (chapter 5) was the notion that UW professors and administrators have an obligation to advise the public and criticize social leaders in ways that protected the interests of the people of the state from unfair and unjust predation by the powerful. Here is how, a century ago, Charles McCarthy began his explication of the Wisconsin Idea: “The problem [we face] is one with which the whole American people is grappling. It presents no particular mystery nor is it difficult to understand. Take up any newspaper. What are the headlines? — Monopoly — Trusts — Trusts and the tariff — High cost of living — Predatory wealth.” Interrogate the UW System’s website of the Wisconsin Idea, and you will find that this fundamental ideal has been replaced by a more philistine moral standard – that of profit.
The “newspeak” Wisconsin Idea assumes the UW’s primary (if not exclusive) mission as economic wealth builder. System officials have captured this sentiment with the slogan “knowledge-economy.” This represents a profound shift in the moral intent of the Wisconsin Idea and alters the overall mission of the UW System. Thus, it should surprise none that “The New Badger Partnership: A Contract with Wisconsin” calls for a 30% in-state tuition increase for UW Madison students. Doesn’t that sound crazy?