Sorry for saying that the British ‘care about rules and know nothing about principles.’ If fact they don’t really care about rules either — they just want to be seen to do so. As far as principles are concerend, you have to rely on people from societies which have gone through proper revolutions like France and the US.

I am a LSE MS alumni from 2003. Erik’s speech was right on. It is fantastic for kids to know exactly what they are in for – however it sounds as if it might have been too honest for the LSE administration. That is a shame, however at least the professors are the people you deal with as a student.

LSE is a research based institution and despite its tremendous reputation, it is not the best option for all students. It is a shame that Eric should reprimanded for highlighting this fact.

Personally, I would have toed the line in the presentation. Personal obversations could probably have been conveyed in Q&A. Here in the states, I believe a majority of folks persuing largely accademic fields understand that most of what they learn will not be directly applied when they enter the workforce. Never mind that most of us end up in careers that have nothing to do with our field of study. Getting this across to prospective students at LSE, especially when you’re supposed to be doing what amounts to a mini-sales pitch, seems beside the point and grandstanding. I mean who is he trying to attract to the school? Only students who don’t care that they will never get to chat up the nobel laureates every day at lunch? As with any education, it is what you make of it. My school Dean used to say students “are here to learn how to learn.” Something I feel I accomplished and a lesson I hold dearly today.

Oh, and that quote above? Perhaps it applies to Mr. Ringmar, but it probably applies more to me.

Thanks. I’m linking to you from my page.