Pico Iyer’s “The Best Reason to Go to College” Analysis by Jamya Evans (final draft)
In “The Best Reason to Go to College”, Pico Iyer challenges the lack of kind receptiveness in the world today, and informs readers about how adopting a positive mindset can make a difference. He effectively does this by intertwining his life experiences, as well as quotes from various influential leaders, with the approachable mindset he expects his audience to want to possess. Additionally, Iyer uses ethos and pathos to help influence readers to believe his claim.
Iyer introduces the audience by addressing the issue of colleges and institutions, which he believes only close and shut down young minds instead of broadening and opening them. Iyer uses ethos to establish credibility by stating that he is a seasoned writer and traveler of 45 years. This shows that he has interacted with multitudes of people, and can properly attest that the current style of thinking is flawed. He states his presuppositions of the young classroom, and how they proved him very wrong. By doing this, he is acknowledging that he too can stand to have a more open mindset. This also shows the danger of having such a rash, judgemental mindset. Had he approached or treated one of these students based upon his presuppositions, he would have been publicly humiliated and sorely embarrassed. After reflection, and being startled by his negative mindset, Iyer firmly holds to the belief that all minds, no matter how “seasoned” or “experienced” can stand to grow. (Iyer 2020).
The author then dives into the comparisons and contrasts between his generation and the present. He describes the current youth as “…brighter, more mature, more reliable, and infinitely more globally aware…” than he and his friends were. He attributes this to the youth’s diversity and open-mindedness. After observing the perspectives of those around him, Iyer begins to ponder in depth about the mindset of the world.
After pondering, Iyer transitions readers into current events. He alludes to the current pandemic, and how the political choice of not wearing a mask stems from a negative mentality. Such a mentality is more than a political issue; it is an issue of human decency and kindness. This is a great example, in that those who don’t understand the ethics or morals of how wearing a mask helps keep others safe would benefit greatly by keeping an open mind. One might argue that politics are grounds of leeway, and that it is not possible to keep an open mind in such a troubling and political world today. However , even Iyer himself takes time to respectfully consider opposing political views. This is because, as Iyer repeatedly emphasizes, that it is important to practice keeping an open mind constantly, and in every area of life.
Such a mindset, Iyer goes on to say, will not be cured by institutions, because they are ruled by groups of people that have no intentions of expanding the minds of today’s youth. The author attempts to connect with readers by giving an example of how he tries to expand his own mind. He states that listening to Fox news helps him consider other political positions or opinions while living in the democratic state of California. Next, he references the closed mindset some have in regards to religion. He uses religious leader Pope Francis to support his observation. He paraphrases the Pope in Wen Wender’s documentary “A Man of His Word” to ask “…would God love Ghandi any less than He does a priest or a nun simply because the Mahatma wasn’t a Christian?”. (Iyer paragraph 5). In doing this, Iyer illuminates the open mindedness of a famous, conservative religious leader while also highlighting the importance of not imposing our views upon others. This practice, along with attentive and active listening, helps to create the healthy mindset the world needs.
Furthermore, Iyer references his personal experience with the Dalai Lama, who referred to the world’s state as an “emotional crisis” that could be cured by “emotional disarmament”. In doing this, Iyer shows he is not alone in his observation of the world’s close minded and apathetic mindset. This helps support his claim because the Dalai Lama is a highly respected, and religious, world figure. Thus, if even the Dalai Lama, a conservative leader, is speaking in favor of an open mindset, then this idea must have some validity. Furthermore, this shows that diversity is not a barrier when it comes to keeping an open mind, and that all people, regardless of religion or beliefs, are able to come together and have an amiable, enlightening discussion. Keeping an open mind is not simply thinking positively, rather, showing basic human decency and kindness by being a good listener. Iyer uses the Dalai Lama in order to get readers from all backgrounds thinking. Therefore, by emphasizing the urgency of adapting an open mindset, and the importance of avoiding such an awful way of thinking, we are able to make a change. Because, as he goes on to say, through our minds,“…we begin to change the world.” (Iyer paragraph 4).
Pico Iyer’s column “The Best Reason to Go to College” is a masterful argument that influences readers to have an “expansive mind”. Iyer persuades readers by effectively illustrating personal experiences in which a negative mindset was harmful. He repeatedly re-iterates these personal experiences to allow readers to first handedly view the change his mindset over time. The argument is further strengthened as Iyer encourages readers to take on the noetic task of broadening their minds by using rhetorical devices such as ethos and pathos to establish credibility and trust, as well as quotes from respected religious leaders. By doing all of this, Iyer successfully persuades readers to open their mind to receptiveness and positivity.
References
Iyer, Pico (2020). The Best Reason to Go to College. New York Times publishing. (accessed September 7, 2020). https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/09/06/opinion/college-students-learning.amp.html