The Disconnect from Place

Economism has such a profound effect on the university academy that it creates a physical and intellectual detachment from its place. A better understanding of this topic can arrive from a better understanding of place, what it is and what it involves. A definition of economism is provided as a means of describing its correlation to the detachment of the university academy from its place.

Place is a term that is not easily defined. In this context places are not only actual locations, but more so the “products of human decisions” (Gruenewald, 2003). This is held true in all situations, places exist for a reason and places left to the wild exist and remain that way for a reason as well. Places exist because economy influences individuals and society as a whole by creating the belief that certain things are needed or not needed. For example we believe that we need cars so therefore car manufacturing plants are built, car dealerships are built, etc.

In the text Plant U, economism is defined by Marcus Ford as the idea “that future wars could be avoided if the economic interests of individuals replaced the interests of particular nations. Economism would be the route to both peace and prosperity” (Ford, 2005). In university, learning is most commonly focused on interests on a national or international level as economics can play a part in all subjects in a distinguished manner. This creates detachment of place.

In the short film The Ancient Sea Gardens, archeologist Don Mitchell finds himself in the Broken Archipelago examining shorelines that are composed of large boulders. Being an archeologist he turns to his academic experience in hopes of some answers as to how these were formed. After rigorous searching he learns from locals that the shorelines are not only manmade, but an aboriginal way of harvesting clams. A lady interviewed in the movie speaks of the detachment of the university academy from the real world explaining that not all answers to life are taught in schools and a good understanding of the history and origins of places can sometimes teach more.
This here is an excellent example of how the university can physically and intellectually detach itself from its place.

Not all things in the wild are naturally occurring. Attention should be addressed to who originally occupied the land and how did it become what it is now. The place has become detached from its origins because in order to sustain the economy the needs of individuals need to be met, but the place that surrounds us is ignored. Medical students do not learn of naturally occurring remedies, but rather learn of mass produced pharmaceuticals as forms of remedies. If the university academy supports knowledge of the mass produced pharmaceuticals then they are supporting the economy by ensuring they are continuously used.