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I wonder of you're veering toward the problem of the demise of higher education in general. The ethics, the ability to do ongoing research for a topic/story, and the ability to articulate one's thoughts with references & without plagiarizing, used to be expected of History, English, etc. majors, too . . . no?

Agreed on the profession being more than casual. I considered myself a professional when I understood not merely my tasks assigned to me, but also understood how my tasks fit into the whole of the product we intended to deliver to customers. I considered what I was doing a skillful expression, almost an art (though I shy away from using "art" too casually, too).

And maybe the fact that Journalism is supposed to result in entering a narrow-ish line of jobs is a factor, too. A History major isn't expected to be a Historian as a job. An English major isn't expected to be an . . . English-ian? Dunno.

I have a Philosophy degree. Am I a mangy Philosopher? Wait, don't answer that! :-D

Enjoying this now-series of articles you're doing on the theme, and the discussion!

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Too late for veering. "Education" at all levels is circling the drain, especially in the "public" sector, IMO. Last time I checked, the NE prep school I attended was still crankin' out well-rounded/educated grads - despite the fact it went "co-ed" some years ago! Sadly, the majority opt for the Ivies. What happens 4 yrs later? [Data not available]

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You're old. Me, too (subjective as that may be!)

"The ethics, the ability to do ongoing research for a topic/story, and the ability to articulate one's thoughts with references & without plagiarizing, used to be expected of History, English, etc. majors, too . . . no?"

Well...there is AI....

Exactly: "used to be" -- altho that ability seemed to be SOP when "we" were younger: "ethics" from parents/family mostly; text book stuff in class - expectations all around. I find myself perpetually more interested in the Why and How than the plaintive proclamation of "WTF is goin' on???" with -0- curiosity about the cause. OTOH, it's provides mental fuel to continue the search!

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I'm in my late 40s . . . I'm younger than many/most/all? of the news scoundrels you've named :-)

Unless you mean I'm an "old soul," in which case, thank you for the compliment!

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'bout right. Only old in soul, ethics and/or age still cling to the nearly discarded and always criticized principle of honesty, objectivity and fact when playing "Journalism"! Will be yapping with Bovard on this in the next 2&O.

And you're welcome! It's good to meet one of Our Kind!

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Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for my message to you yesterday.

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