Contributor Post Created with Sketch. 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn2Rz3CuE_o

We’re on Twitter. We’re on Facebook. And now we’re on Ricochet!

There are 42 comments.

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  1. Nick Stuart Inactive

    … fountain pens, and stereos.

    • #1
    • April 6, 2012, at 2:17 AM PDT
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  2. Carreau Inactive

    Don’t forget photography :>)

    • #2
    • April 6, 2012, at 2:32 AM PDT
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  3. Caroline Thatcher
    Caroline Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    And a dribble of discussion about classical music. I still say Mahler beats Bruckner.

    • #3
    • April 6, 2012, at 4:05 AM PDT
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  4. Cutlass Inactive

    Mr. Prager! Welcome! I’ve listened for years and, to echo others, I consider you a mentor.

    Thank you for all you’ve done for the cause of reasoned debate, and by extension truth and liberty. You are one of the few truly indispensable Americans of our time. 

    Any chance of a Ricochet sponsored Cigar & Pen Podcast? 

    • #4
    • April 6, 2012, at 4:32 AM PDT
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  5. cdor Member
    cdor Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    Once more, I feel very fortunate to be a member of this distinguished Ricochet community. Welcome, Mr. Prager.

    • #5
    • April 6, 2012, at 5:20 AM PDT
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  6. BKelley14 Inactive

    Another Pragertopia subscriber/daily listener/fan welcomes you to this great forum!!! 

    • #6
    • April 6, 2012, at 7:02 AM PDT
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  7. Jeff Petraska Member
    Jeff Petraska Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    Dennis, you’re the only radio talk show host that my wife enjoys listening to. Thanks for joining Ricochet, which has become my favorite site on the web. This place just keeps getting better and better.

    • #7
    • April 6, 2012, at 7:49 AM PDT
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  8. Lockdowns Are Precious Coolidge
    Lockdowns Are Precious Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member
    Nick Stuart: … fountain pens, and stereos. · 6 hours ago

    And late antiquity neoplatonists.

    • #8
    • April 6, 2012, at 8:18 AM PDT
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  9. George Savage Contributor

    Dennis Prager on Ricochet is definitely something for which I am grateful.

    • #9
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:14 AM PDT
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  10. ParisParamus Member
    ParisParamus Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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!

    • #10
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:16 AM PDT
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  11. ParisParamus Member
    ParisParamus Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    (PS: When do you get locked in a hotel suite with Mitt Romney for 48 hours? Make it so!)

    • #11
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:17 AM PDT
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  12. Ottoman Umpire Inactive
    ParisParamus: (PS: When do you get locked in a hotel suite with Mitt Romney for 48 hours? Make it so!) · 0 minutes ago

    A reference to this, I believe…

    • #12
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:26 AM PDT
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  13. Copperfield Inactive

    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!

    • #13
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:30 AM PDT
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  14. doc molloy Inactive

    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

    • #14
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:39 AM PDT
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  15. EThompson Inactive

    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!

    • #15
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:40 AM PDT
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  16. Scott R Member
    Scott R Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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).

    • #16
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:46 AM PDT
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  17. Lance Member
    Lance Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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.

    • #17
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:50 AM PDT
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  18. Profile Photo Member

    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.

    • #18
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:51 AM PDT
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  19. Aaron Miller Member
    Aaron Miller Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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?

    • #19
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:55 AM PDT
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  20. jonorose Inactive

    Awesome Dennis, great to see you here. Now if we can get you to convince your friend Adam Carolla to contribute…… 

    • #20
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:56 AM PDT
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  21. Steven Potter Thatcher
    Steven Potter Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    Long time listener, first time caller…wait, wrong venue. I’m looking forward to your contributions at Ricochet.

    • #21
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:58 AM PDT
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  22. Dave Carter Podcaster

    Welcome, Sir! Fantastic material. It’s concise, direct, and easily understood by the segment of the population that might decide the next election. And if they can’t understand it,…we simply remind them of their civic duty to come out and vote on the first Wednesday in November.

    • #22
    • April 6, 2012, at 9:59 AM PDT
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  23. Antipodius Inactive

    Welcome Mr. Prager, from one of the pragertopia subscribers downunder. Pesach Sameach

    • #23
    • April 6, 2012, at 10:23 AM PDT
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  24. Mel Foil Inactive

    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.

    • #24
    • April 6, 2012, at 10:27 AM PDT
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  25. Percival Thatcher
    Percival Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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.

    • #25
    • April 6, 2012, at 10:31 AM PDT
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  26. Mark Wilson Member
    Mark Wilson Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    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.

    • #26
    • April 6, 2012, at 11:09 AM PDT
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  27. MFQuinn Inactive

    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.

    • #27
    • April 6, 2012, at 11:11 AM PDT
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  28. Dennis Prager Contributor
    Dennis Prager

    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.

    • #28
    • April 6, 2012, at 11:31 AM PDT
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  29. Aaron Miller Member
    Aaron Miller Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    I finally watched the video.

    “Capitalism teaches people to work harder. The welfare state teaches people to want harder.”

    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.

    • #29
    • April 6, 2012, at 11:37 AM PDT
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  30. James Lileks Contributor

    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. 

    • #30
    • April 6, 2012, at 11:52 AM PDT
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