Human/IT: The Importance of Liberal Arts Education | Jared Linder | TEDxBallStateUniversity

Summary

The speaker, an IT leader and former liberal arts student, passionately advocates for the importance of humanities and liberal arts education alongside STEM. He draws parallels between the innovation of electric guitars and technology, emphasizing that while technology enhances tools, it doesn't replace the need for human creativity and understanding. The speaker shares his journey from studying music and literature to leading IT projects, highlighting the value of critical thinking and contextual knowledge in any industry. He encourages students to follow their passions, employers to recognize the potential in liberal arts graduates, and educators to create programs that bridge the gap between technology and humanities.

Takeaways

• 🎸 The speaker is a passionate guitar player who appreciates the blend of technology and musical instruments.
• 🤖 The guitar described has a battery-powered tuning machine on the back, showcasing a piece of technology that enhances the instrument without changing its essence.
• 🎵 The speaker emphasizes that technology, such as the electric guitar, is a tool that enhances music but does not replace the need for musicianship.
• 📚 The importance of humanities and liberal arts education is highlighted as it provides context and passion that can lead to innovative tools in various fields, including music.
• 💡 The speaker believes that the combination of technology and humanities leads to more useful and meaningful innovations.
• 🎓 The speaker's background in liberal arts has been instrumental in his successful career in IT, demonstrating the value of a broad educational foundation.
• 🛠️ The speaker advocates for a balance between STEM and liberal arts education, arguing that both are necessary for a well-rounded education and career.
• 👨‍🏫 A call to action for educators to create programs that combine humanities with technology, providing students with opportunities to excel in both areas.
• 👩‍💼 Employers are encouraged to seek out liberal arts graduates for their creativity, communication skills, and potential for future technical aptitude.
• 🌐 The speaker shares his personal journey from studying liberal arts to becoming a strategic IT thinker, illustrating the versatility of liberal arts education in the tech industry.
• 🎉 A final message to students to follow their passions, learn about context, and understand that there will always be opportunities to integrate technology into their chosen fields.

Q & A

What is the unique feature of the guitar mentioned in the script?

The unique feature of the guitar mentioned in the script is a robot battery-powered tuning machine on the back, which can tune the guitar with a flick of a button.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between technology and the guitar?

The speaker describes the relationship between technology and the guitar as a complementary one, where technology enhances the guitar without changing its essence or the need for a musician to play it.

What is the historical context of the electric guitar according to the script?

The electric guitar was created in the mid-20th century to ensure that guitar players could be loud enough to be heard over drummers and horn players.

What does the speaker believe about the importance of humanities and liberal arts education?

The speaker believes that humanities and liberal arts education are crucial as they provide context and passion, which are essential for creating tools that make music better and for approaching problem-solving in various industries.

How does the speaker's background in music and liberal arts relate to his current career in IT?

The speaker's background in music and liberal arts has given him critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable to his current role as a strategic IT thinker in a large government organization.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of technology in the future of IT leadership?

The speaker suggests that humanities and liberal arts students are the next round of IT leadership, as they can combine their passion and contextual understanding with technology to drive innovation.

What advice does the speaker give to students regarding their career choices?

The speaker advises students to follow their passions, do what they enjoy and are good at, and not to rush into technology. He emphasizes that critical thinking and contextual understanding are valuable regardless of the field.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of combining technical skills with liberal arts education?

The speaker believes that combining technical skills with liberal arts education is essential for creating a well-rounded individual who can think critically and contextually, which is vital for innovation and leadership in various fields.

How does the speaker view the role of employers in nurturing talent from liberal arts backgrounds?

The speaker views the role of employers as crucial in seeking out and finding the creative pipeline of people with liberal arts backgrounds, recognizing their potential for future technical aptitude and promise.

What does the speaker suggest educators should do to bridge the gap between students and employers?

The speaker suggests that educators should create talent pipelines and mentor programs that involve creative students, providing them with opportunities and preparing them for careers that combine humanities with technology.

What is the speaker's final message to the audience regarding personal fulfillment and career paths?

The speaker's final message is to encourage the audience to do what makes them happy, to pursue their passions, and to understand that there may be a place for them in IT and other fields that value both technical and liberal arts skills.