What is the academic value of Jersey Shore's Snooki? I'll let my readers decide. But consider this.
According to NJ.com, Rutgers University paid $32,000 for this reality TV performer for a question and answer session with students. Academic value? Questionable indeed.
In contrast, Nobel Prize winner in Literature Toni Morrison will be receiving $30,000 for a Commencement speech at the same institution.
What are the implications for the relative value of entertainment and bone fide education in our society?
This is not an April fool's joke.
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Oh, but it IS a Year-Round Fools' joke. On us.
It shows that you can be an uneducated buffoon and make money, and that's what our society values the most. Sad, but it's something I have to try to counter for my high school students. At least all the ones I know don't care for the show (or haven't heard of it - lucky kids) - that's something.