In his article “An argument against emphasis on STEM education,” John Murawski recounts social critic Andrew Hacker’s claim that the STEM revolution is “largely built on a mirage.” One of Hacker’s criticisms, reports Murawski, is that “The suggestion that a mind can profit from perusing Emily Dickinson is barely heard in the century we are entering” (the complete article is HERE).
 | “Well, in a manner of speaking, when it comes to income, Hacker is spot on,” concurred Ella G. LeMent, the Primary Paradigm Sustainability Strategist for the American Federation of Poets and Poetry Workers. “People just aren’t able to earn a living anymore from writing poetry or working int the poetry-related fields.” Pictured at the left: Ella G. LeMent, the Primary Paradigm Sustainability Strategist for the American Federation of Poets and Poetry Workers LeMent offered the following statistics as proof: |
* The highest rates of unemployment in any and all fields are those in the areas of poetry – especially among haikuists (also known as haikuers and haikuologists).
* The number of long-term unemployed poets has never been higher.
* Salaries for poets, bards, and versifiers have dropped by more than 585% since the turn of the century (the turn of the 20th century, that is).
* The rate of poetry book ownership in the United States has just hit a brand new 25-year low, and 88% of all Americans say that they do not anticipate buying a book of poetry “for the foreseeable future.”
* 93% of those employed in poetry and the poetry-related fields drive used Kias (and 100% of the AMC Gremlins and Ford Pintos still on the road are owned and driven by poets).
Additionally, the American Council of College Counselors topped the list of most useless college degrees with a degree in poetry; the ACCC’s “top eleven" or should we say “bottom eleven”) worthless degrees are as follows:
1. Poetry
2. Puppetry
3. Canadian Studies
4. Bowling Industry Management
5. Music – with a concentration in Bassoon
6. Poultry Sciences
7. Lesbian Dance Theory
8. Leisure Studies
9. Philosophy
10. Art History
11. Floral Management
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) foresaw the decline of poetry and poetry-related fields in his now classic poem "I know no Riches I can own" (below on the left). His poem inspired third-cousin Emily to pen her poem "Because 'twas Riches I could own" (below on the right).
* The number of long-term unemployed poets has never been higher.
* Salaries for poets, bards, and versifiers have dropped by more than 585% since the turn of the century (the turn of the 20th century, that is).
* The rate of poetry book ownership in the United States has just hit a brand new 25-year low, and 88% of all Americans say that they do not anticipate buying a book of poetry “for the foreseeable future.”
* 93% of those employed in poetry and the poetry-related fields drive used Kias (and 100% of the AMC Gremlins and Ford Pintos still on the road are owned and driven by poets).
Additionally, the American Council of College Counselors topped the list of most useless college degrees with a degree in poetry; the ACCC’s “top eleven" or should we say “bottom eleven”) worthless degrees are as follows:
1. Poetry
2. Puppetry
3. Canadian Studies
4. Bowling Industry Management
5. Music – with a concentration in Bassoon
6. Poultry Sciences
7. Lesbian Dance Theory
8. Leisure Studies
9. Philosophy
10. Art History
11. Floral Management
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) foresaw the decline of poetry and poetry-related fields in his now classic poem "I know no Riches I can own" (below on the left). His poem inspired third-cousin Emily to pen her poem "Because 'twas Riches I could own" (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: I know no Riches I can own, Myself I’ve earned it – Me, A PhD in Poetry – It brings on Poverty An Earldom out of sight to hold, An Income naught but Air, Possessions – none for I live on A shoestring and a Prayer – | By Emily Dickinson: Because 'twas Riches I could own, Myself had earned it – Me, I knew the Dollars by their names – It feels like Poverty An Earldom out of sight to hold, An Income in the Air, Possession – has a sweeter chink Unto a Miser's Ear – |
We leave you with two additional pertinent points:
The first is a quote from poet E. E. Cummings: “I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.”. Don't you find it curious if not thought-provoking that this bon mot was articulated by a poet?
Second, in a bit of biting sarcasm from the Season 8/Episode 9 of "The Simpsons," El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage Of Homer), Marge tells Homer that she does not want him to go to the chili cook-off because she knows he will get as "drunk as a poet on payday" -- and if you laughed at that, then you are most certainly cognizant of the impecunious journey all poets face in this day and age.
Vivant Poetae!
The first is a quote from poet E. E. Cummings: “I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.”. Don't you find it curious if not thought-provoking that this bon mot was articulated by a poet?
Second, in a bit of biting sarcasm from the Season 8/Episode 9 of "The Simpsons," El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage Of Homer), Marge tells Homer that she does not want him to go to the chili cook-off because she knows he will get as "drunk as a poet on payday" -- and if you laughed at that, then you are most certainly cognizant of the impecunious journey all poets face in this day and age.
Vivant Poetae!
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