Mindscape Holiday Message 2025 🎄 | The University Romance

Hey look actual video! Don't get used to it, just a holiday present for everyone.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/seanmcarroll
Blog post with audio player, show notes, and transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/12/22/holiday-message-2025-the-romance-of-the-university/

Time for the holiday message! Rounding off the year with a brief and casual reflection on some issue that doesn't quite rise to the level of a full solo podcast. And hopefully something uplifting!

This year, I offer a short apologia for higher education in the liberal arts and sciences, focusing not on the down-to-earth economic/occupational benefits of a college degree, but on the very real ways in which such an education opens up possibilities for personal growth. I think all of us in academia should be loud and unapologetic about the more romantic, idealistic values of the modern university.

Happy holidays all!

Mindscape Podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrxfgDEc2NxY_fRExpDXr87tzRbPCaA5x
Sean Carroll channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/seancarroll

#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture