This series is created to address common stereotypes around the world. In episode 1, the theme of humanities subjects will be discussed.

Most people hold the stereotype or opinion that people who study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can lead to a better and more stable future, conversely, people who study humanities are often seen as people who cannot handle STEM subjects. Moreover, many correlate STEM to higher employment rate, practicality, and higher wages. On the other hand, humanities subject are often stereotyped as merely a collection of fancy but useless works that are not applicable in real life. This stereotype should be challenged in this episode.

Humanities is more than just a collection of fancy but useless literary works so what does it truly mean? What is its purpose? The timeless and classic movie- The Dead Poets Society- will answer these questions. The timeless movie was created in the 1989, starring Robin Williams as the most favored character named John Keating. Mr Keating is an English teacher that left an influential impact on his students’ mindsets , especially the main character Neil Perry. Neil Perry wants to be an actor but his father urges him to study medicine. This is analogous to our world today as many parents force their children to pursue the honorable jobs, in other words, the jobs that can generate more money. They completely ignore what their children truly are passionate about.

The movie perfectly reflects the popularization of STEM during the 1980s. The Cold War between the US and the USSR was taking place and both countries put a heavy emphasis on STEM in order to nurture future scientists to contribute to the countries’ technological power. Gradually, branches of humanities such as philosophy that flourished in the 18th century’s Enlightenment was slowly being neglected. This phenomenon is accurately portrayed in the movie too as parents did not respect the wills of their children to pursue in fields they enjoy.

Mr Keating promotes individualism to his students, believing it is an essential component of humanities. He explains what humanities actually indicate and how it relates to our life. Humanities mean emotions and passion. Below is a famous quote said by him:

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.

-Mr. John Keating from the Dead Poets Society

STEM is essential to the developments of the world such as technological developments that can bring convenience to our lives. Yet STEM courses do not teach us how to feel, how to express, and what we want. Humanities show us the meaning of life, to discover what we like, to experience and seek romance and beauty that are recorded in poetries so that we can feel these abstract concepts in our lives. The purpose of life is not to become working machines, but to have a sense of individualism and humanities can provide us with this skill.