Intellectualism vs. duck mentality at Stanford

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>In the "Why Stanford" thread, one user wrote:</p>

<p>"A word of warning - Stanford seems to miss one thing: a culture of rampant and ever-present intellectual discussion. People don't want their dinner table conversations to be dominated by bull sessions on the future of the EU, the meaning of beauty or statistical methods. Not to say that the discussions don't occur, but you have to seek them out."</p>

<p>As we know, Stanford admissions makes it clear that they are looking to create a student body full of intellectual vitality. It follows that its students would be receptive to intellectual conversation and stimulation, perhaps even more so than the students at HYP whose admissions definitely don't place as much emphasis on intellectual vitality as Stanford. Then why is the "duck mentality" so notoriously rampant at Stanford? Does anyone else see this apparent contradiction between resistance to intellectualism and intellectual vitality?</p>

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<p>It's a part of "campus culture". There is a level of pretentiousness that exists at every elite school, but manifests itself in a different way, depending on the campus culture. At Stanford it is the "laid back" way...</p>

<p>You will find intellectualism if you want it. (To make it easy to find, sign up for SLE as a freshman. )</p>

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<p>Yes, the "laid-back" feel is there in place of "intellectual."</p>

<p>I would say that HYP put as much emphasis on intellectual vitality as Stanford, but perhaps not explicitly.</p>

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<p>yeah SLE hardcore intellectual discussions -its awesome</p>

<p>i didnt do SLE but i have had a lot of discussions...mainly trying to justify Bush's stupid policies to the international students lol</p>