A Dam in the River
Releasing the Flow of University Ideas
Description:... The huge reservoir of ideas at great universities constitutes a vital national resource. But tragically, this resource is largely dammed up on campus; academia shares its ideas with the public only to a very limited extent. Everyone loses. This book shows how this tragic situation developed, and how to open the academic sluice gates for everyone's benefit.
- "Fascinating, particularly the use of the museum metaphor to suggest ways universities might open their ideas to the public. A lot to learn here; a great approach." Donald Kennedy, Past President, Stanford University; Past Editor-in-Chief, 'Science.'
- "All academics concerned with...the public will resonate with these ideas." Alice Huang, Caltech; Past President, American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science
- "A thoughtful and detailed study of the American university, its wealth of ideas, and the challenges...in making these available to the public." Prof. Russell Berman, Stanford University; Past President, Modern Language Assoc.
The book shows what types of university ideas are important for the general public and why, reveals several reasons why public access to these ideas is so limited, and offers a comprehensive strategy for opening the sluice gates and letting the ideas flow, at little or no financial cost. The book shows how anyone, on- or off-campus, could help implement this strategy, for the benefit of all.
Dr. Camhi conducted 155 in-depth interviews of university presidents and other academic leaders. His book is written with a touch of humor and readers require no academic background. The book is intended to inspire, and then help guide, a movement to make the ideas generated at America's great universities and colleges accessible to all Americans, for the public good.
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