Prager University Comes to Ricochet
The just-published study by the California Association of Scholars concludes that Left-wing bias on all the campuses of the University of California is more pervasive than ever. And what is true in California is true nationally. Most American universities have become Leftist seminaries.
If Americans do not undo the intellectual and moral damage done by professors in the “social sciences,” our country will drift into historical amnesia – no University of California campus requires a single course in American history – and the moral confusion endemic to the Left.
To help undo this damage I started Prager University two years ago. Its intent is to present many of the finest minds in the world on every great issue of life – including economics, politics, morality, sexuality, psychology, history, religion – even happiness.
Aside from the quality of lecturers, what renders Prager U. unique are its use of internet-based video (through its own website using YouTube), very high quality illustrations to accompany the lecturer, and that every course is only five minutes long.
This is in recognition of a) the current power of video, b) that many people are so busy that they have little time beyond work and family, and c) that the present young generation often does not have the patience or inclination to read or to watch lengthy presentations on serious subjects.
We want to do right what the universities are doing wrong. They are unconscionably expensive; our courses are free. They teach students to hold America and its traditional values in contempt; we teach them how uniquely great they have been. They often use grad students to teach classes; we use the best minds in the world. They take months to propagandize; we offer wisdom in five minutes (Our motto is "give us five minutes and we'll give you a semester.")
I'm going to be regularly contributing at Ricochet because the people involved here are kindred spirits engaged in meaningful dialogue. I want Prager University to be a part of it.
Our newest course is called "The Welfare State and Selfish Society." In it, I call into question the conventional wisdom that says, "Free enterprise is the system that produces selfish people," and show how it is the welfare state that produces selfish people. Watch it. Share it with your friends. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of our course.
We're on Twitter. We're on Facebook. And now we're on Ricochet!
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Yay Mr. Prager (I keep wanting to say "Dennis," but that's not right)!
It's so interesting to see the connections in the center-right world. You discover people who you admire, and before long, with an intermediary or two or three, they're all connected.
I think either Dennis Prager or Hugh Hewitt is the Kevin Bacon of conservative degrees. Just so happy to see you here!
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
(PS: When do you get locked in a hotel suite with Mitt Romney for 48 hours? Make it so!)
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
A reference to this, I believe...
Edited on April 6, 2012 at 6:35amNov '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Welcome, Sir. Glad to have you. Have used "The Four Big Bangs" video in Sunday school presentations more than once. Thank you. Love Prager U!
Feb '12
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Gratitude produces great attitude.. a positive outlook makes for happier folk.
"The nature of the encroachment upon American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer; it eats faster and faster every hour. The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited and virtuous, the seekers more numerous and more corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity and frugality become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole of society."
John Adams
Dec '11
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Selfishness (the new definition for capitalism/the desire to make a profit) creates an environment in which the consumer is King.
Long live the King!
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Welcome, Dennis. Don't know how I'd get through the workday without you, Medved, and Hewitt. Thanks for the daily companionship (and mentoring, in many cases).
Nov '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
I just listened to An Evening with Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager this evening on my way home to Austin from San Antonio. I felt lucky to have been able to do so. Thank you, Mr. Prager.
Dec '11
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Thank you for being a part. You wrote that we are kindred spirits. . I have always appreciated your light touch and your want to have clarity over agreement.
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Welcome aboard! Providently, I was reading one of your fine articles just before I hopped back on Ricochet. It's a pleasure to have you with us.
I haven't been following Prager University, but it sounds like a great idea. A conservative version of Father Guido Sarducci's university?
Edited on April 6, 2012 at 7:20amAug '11
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Awesome Dennis, great to see you here. Now if we can get you to convince your friend Adam Carolla to contribute......
Aug '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Long time listener, first time caller...wait, wrong venue. I'm looking forward to your contributions at Ricochet.
Dec '11
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Welcome Mr. Prager, from one of the pragertopia subscribers downunder. Pesach Sameach
Jun '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
I'm very proud of myself. I said "gratitude" a half-second before Dennis did. I knew exactly what his point was before he said it.
Mar '11
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Glad to have you here, Mr. Prager. I'm no longer in range of your radio show via terrestial radio, but I catch it from time to time on the Internet.
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Outstanding! Your moral clarity is second to none. Among people my age there is a lack of serious discussion about character and virtue. Tolerance and non-judgemental open-mindedness are the only way to be, man, or else you are engaging in "hate".
Now is the right moment for Prager University: 5 minute youtube videos you can share on Facebook.
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
How happy this Pragertopia member is to see you here! I do wish the GOP would recruit you to tape multiple appeals to reasonable people everywhere in this momentous election year. If anyone can positively influence the undecided, the independents, or even the lukewarm lefties, it's you.
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Thank you for the kind comments. I'm happy to be a part of things here. And those of you who mentioned using Prager University materials elsewhere, a special thanks. That is our intent: to be a resource.
May '10
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
I finally watched the video.
That's a powerful distillation. The segment in the middle during which you list entitlements — and include things rarely associated with the term, like retirement and maternity laws — is also effective.
Many of us, upon seeing videos or articles like this, experience an urge to share them immediately with our liberal and "independent" associates. But it might be wiser to bookmark them to share later, with individuals rather than splattered on a Facebook wall, when they seem specifically relevant to a conversation or experience. Any person is more receptive to contrary ideas without an audience to test his or her humility.
On the other hand, sometimes it's good to lay such things out as food for thought, without any commentary or conversation. As I've said many times before, questions are better than answers for opening a mind to contrary ideas.
Re: Prager University Comes to Ricochet
Oh. Great. I put up with his ineffable geniality and rabbinical disquisitions every day, as well his skill at boiling down a hot-button issue to a salient, damning example of the opposition's worldview. Three hours of that. Plus the empathy and the effortless command of radio dynamics.
And now he's here. I suppose we have to talk about honey and cigars now as well? Unless Alan forbids that here, too.