“Beck University is a unique academic experience bringing together experts in the fields of religion, American history and economics. Through captivating lectures and interactive online discussions, these experts will explore the concepts of Faith, Hope and Charity and show you how they influence America’s past, her present and most importantly her future.
OK … this may be funny to a lot of us, but Beck University may be a great idea. Imagine the impact on the public if they start seeing Professor Beck as their source of academic truth? If he is not a threat, imagine something similar funded by the Reverend Moon, Rupert Murdock, or Grover Norquist. Now imagine the likes of China Inc creeating a similar resource.
Used well, web-based universities could be a major place people look to for authority. Wikipedia already serves that purpose for many and the Wiki is not driven by a propaganda machine like Becks.
The sad thing is that very few universities have created any significant web presence. Most of these are through Apple’s iTUNES and ..at best … comprise catalogs of on line recordings of lectures.
I will plan on adding links to The-Ave for Beck U and hope that other, more rational competitors appear.