The article was about a man, Mr.Shores, who is conducting an demonstration project about the humanities and he is writing a book about it. He interviews several students to see who would be the most influential in the project. He mainly interviews people who are poor or of the lower class in between the ages of 18-35. He tells the ones who made the cut the expectations and the basis of the course they will be taking and he tells the class the benefits they will reap if they do well in the course. Mr. Shores along with other teachers push these students to their limits and encourage them to express their opinions about the elites, society and the humanities and how they affect their [social] class. He also explains to them that they must understand politics, not in the general sense such as voting but in the way that Thucydides uses it.
I think that the author argued his/her point well because he stated a problem, showed ways of how he will go about solving or addressing this problem, then he takes action that is effective and presents the results to show that his method of problem solving has worked. He makes makes these assumptions that people of the lower class or of poor status don't understand the power of politics. I believe they understand politics but they don't know how they play a part in their lives or how it affects the way that they live their lives. He also assumes that the fact that they don't understand politics is what keeps them poor. I don't understand why the understanding of the humanities or politics in this context helps you be better off in society and brings you to more wellness and money.
I agree with the author when he says that, "It is generally accepted in America that the liberal arts and the humanities in particular belong to the elites." (Shorris, 5) When you actually take a look at society, the people who are lawyers, philosophers, politicians, and social workers and those who are in the liberal arts field, are all rich people or people who are higher up on the social class ladder. Those careers require a lot of critical thinking and research and the people of the lower classes may not have the capabilities of comprehending this level of education.
The golden line I chose was, "May you never be more active than when you are doing nothing." I chose this line because it makes me think. The meaning is not clear so I have to break down the sentence to try to figure out the meaning. I don't understand the quote so I'm not sure how it applies to this story in context but I will try to figure it out.
I think that when the author says that understanding the humanities and politics will get you everywhere, I think that he means that if you learn the humanities you will do well in your education. And if you do well in your education then you will do well in your career. And with a good career, these students will have a better life than being poor and living on the streets. His approcach with learning the humanities is very hard to understand. I think that you can interpret it in many different ways. As for the quote that you used as your golden line, I think that he means may your brain never be more active than when your body is doing nothing. Meaning, may your mind continue long after your body has stopped. I think the point here is that you are constantly thinking with everythings you do, or don't do.
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