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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 25. 2nd October 1975
Summary
Summary
Prof Palmer is correct to say that, to make changes you've got to be clever, tough and quick. You've got to be two steps better than the average intelligent person and the grilling you get in Palmer's socratic class helps you distinguish yourself in this way, so maybe the authoritarian method is justifiable.
"We should greatly esteem the specialists, for they are very valuable to our cause. But we should tell them that no revolutionary writer or artist can do any meaningful work unless he is closely linked with the masses, gives expression to their thoughts and feelings and serves them as a loyal spokesman.
The socratic method can produce the specialists - but more is required if these specialists are to really serve the people Dean John Thomas and Prof Palmer appear to wish them to serve.