On December 9, Zhang Xuefeng's remarks in a live broadcast sparked heated discussions among netizens. He said that "the liberal arts are all service industries" and further explained, "What is a service industry?".In summary, one word is 'licking', which is 'I'll give you a smile'. The remark immediately sparked a widespread discussion on the Internet about the value of liberal arts and education.
Some netizens agreed with Zhang Xuefeng's words, thinking that he told the truth that some people dare not tell. They recognise the importance of the service industry in society and believe that it is a natural choice for liberal arts graduates to pursue a career in the service industry. However, some netizens thought that this remark was inappropriate, criticizing Zhang Xuefeng for not generalizing and ignoring the diversity and depth of liberal arts. These netizens emphasized that liberal arts are not only a service industry, but also include many fields such as law, education, and psychological counseling, which are equally important for the development of society.
Ma Liang, a professor at the School of Public Administration of the Chinese People's University, also responded to the matter. He believes that Zhang Xuefeng's remarks are more dissatisfied with the existing education and training system of liberal arts, rather than a rejection of liberal arts itself. Ma Liang said that just because the liberal arts had some deficiencies in cultivating talents in the past, we should not always hold stereotypes and colored glasses about the liberal arts. He emphasized that every discipline has its value and advantages, and it is necessary to have a new understanding of the liberal arts and continue to strengthen the construction of new liberal arts.
Zhang Xuefeng's subsequent apology is also worth pondering. He said that he was not belittling the liberal arts, but wanted to remind those who think that certain majors are lofty to understand the nature of majors before making a choice. His apology, while quelling some of the controversy, also reflects the need for public figures to be more cautious and responsible in their statements.
This incident actually raises a larger question: what do we think of the liberal arts and its place in society?It's not just a question of education, it's also a question of social values. In a society dominated by technology and business, the liberal arts are often overlooked or undervalued. However, the liberal arts provide a humanistic approach, critical thinking, and historical perspective that technology and business cannot replace. These skills and perspectives are essential for the healthy development of society.
In addition, this incident has once again highlighted the social responsibility of public figures. As influential figures, public figures need to consider their influence when making statements and avoid making statements that could mislead the public or cause controversy. At the same time, they should also have the courage to admit their mistakes and apologize and clarify in a timely manner.
In general, although this incident has aroused some social concern and heated discussions, it also provides us with an opportunity for reflection and discussion. We should pay more attention to the value and status of liberal arts, and at the same time, we should also improve the sense of social responsibility of public figures, and jointly maintain a healthy, just and pluralistic social environment.
This incident has triggered us to think deeply about the value of liberal arts, do you agree with the view that "liberal arts are all service industries"?Or do you have other thoughts you'd like to share?Welcome to leave a message to discuss!