Continue the Conversation
"A Meeting of the Minds" provided a unique opportunity for Cornellians to meet some of Cornell's leading faculty and discuss important questions facing society and higher education.
Something to think about...
We invite you to continue the conversation. Share your thoughts on these topics and see what others think!
Which emerging ideas offer the greatest promise for solving global issues? What will the quality of life be like as the 21st century progresses? What factors shape today's learning and discovery?
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Two panelists argued that knowledge transfer is a moral imperative. Rapid advances of biomedical discoveries can improve the health of individuals in developing countries. Knowledge of efficient and sustainable food production will be vital to feed the world's population. But knowledge transfer is also complex, and McCouch pointed out that it must go hand-in-hand with cultural understanding. In addition, one alumnus raised an interesting question: If America transfers its knowledge, will we lose our competitive edge?
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Technolgy offers tremendous opportunities, but it can also increase discord. We all witness a shrinking world through the rapid communication that is now possible between and among people of all backgrounds and from all over the world. This eliminates physical boundaries, and can lead to greater understanding. On the other hand, Fredrik Logevall, points out, we pay a price for technological optimism. For example, technology "helped bring us into Vietnam and kept us there, year after year. The same is true in Iraq."
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To what extent do university faculty have an obligation to go out and help the world? Some faculty panelists suggested that developing a theoretical understanding of issues and also proactively pursuing the application of knowledge do not always go hand-in-hand. Provost Biddy Martin sugests that faculty aims of contemplation and contribution are both valid, and that, in fact, the conceptualization of problems, is in itself a "mediated contribution."
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One alumnus suggested that Cornell is all about access, and "it always had been." It extends higher education to "any person in any study." A panelist noted that Cornell empowers its faculty, its students, and its alumni. "That's what Cornell is all about." What is Cornell all about to you?
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The alumnus had it almost right .....As Cornell seeks to educate the world it HAS transferred its intellectual property............. and we HAVE lost our competitive advantage
Thank you for your interest in "Continuing the Conversation" about the Big Red in the Big Apple event. At this time, commenting has been turned off. If you would like to submit feedback about the event, please contact Diane Lebo Wallace