Lost in Meritocracy Book Talk Feb. 23

In this hilarious memoir, Kirn recounts the ways that the American educational rat race betrayed him. He ends up miserable at Princeton, bullied by rich roommates and ashamed of his Minnesota upbringing. He majors in English because it sounds like something her already knows and applies for a Rhodes scholarship while on speed… Kirn throws spit wads at his Ivy League education, but with six works of fiction to his name as well as regular bylines in prestigious publications, perhaps he was well served by the meritocracy after all.   (From The Washington Post, 2009.) Join us for conversation about Kirn’s book and how it provides an intriguing frame to look at higher education Tuesday, Feb. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. in CMU 227. Presenters: Peg Potter, Psychology and Steve Bolduc, Economics. Students always welcome.

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