There are many posts written on this blog that say how a certain event might have enlightened a scholar, how great a speaker was, or even how a perspective was discussed in a way that was ingenious. Regardless, I do not think that most of the scholars can tell you that an event or that a speaker truly touched the core of their soul. Dr. John Lukcas touched my core and even my soul. Over the course of his visit here at the McConnell Center, he held three events, and yours truly was amazed to higher levels at each event. Dr. Lukcas is not just a professor or a historian, but he is a poet, one who can make the most complex ideal seem like common sense with simple comparisons.
During his lecture "At the End of the Modern Age" Dr. Lukcas notes how now there is no such thing as a "middle class" because it is becoming less and less possible to differentiate between the middle and the working classes in the United States today. Furthermore, he noted that that in today's economy and society, the system is turning into a two class system in which there is an upper class (or rich class) and a middle class combined of working and stable average families. On that note he explains this with a visual example of how, "The pyramid system is disappearing and becoming like an onion." Throughout the lecture examples and arguments were given to regarding the change in the system today; one argument used to support this theory by Dr. Lukcas is how if one searches for the number of people who make over a million dollars or more, you will find that this number is at a staggering all time high. In retrospect if you look at the unemployment, Medicaid, and other government aid programs' numbers, you will see an increase in people looking for assistance during these difficult times.
It is the reference of the class system mirroring the shape of an onion and overtaking the theory of the pyramid that struck me that evening. Not knowing what greatness would befall me in the other two seminars; I saw how clear Dr. Lukcas made even the most difficult topics for the average person. His memory regarding historical facts are phenomenal and accurate, and the amount of literature that he has written is remarkable. Dr. John Lukcas is a legend already as even the great Wendell Berry was in attendance for this lecture and a seminar. It was a breathtaking moment to have two such prominent figures in the same room and too see how each one admired the other. Personally, I was touched by the humility that this great man had while signing my books in which he thanked me for reading them. With legends such as Dr. Lukcas, they should not be thanking us, but us thanking them. Dr. Lukcas, thank you for touching my soul in the most humble way.
During his lecture "At the End of the Modern Age" Dr. Lukcas notes how now there is no such thing as a "middle class" because it is becoming less and less possible to differentiate between the middle and the working classes in the United States today. Furthermore, he noted that that in today's economy and society, the system is turning into a two class system in which there is an upper class (or rich class) and a middle class combined of working and stable average families. On that note he explains this with a visual example of how, "The pyramid system is disappearing and becoming like an onion." Throughout the lecture examples and arguments were given to regarding the change in the system today; one argument used to support this theory by Dr. Lukcas is how if one searches for the number of people who make over a million dollars or more, you will find that this number is at a staggering all time high. In retrospect if you look at the unemployment, Medicaid, and other government aid programs' numbers, you will see an increase in people looking for assistance during these difficult times.
It is the reference of the class system mirroring the shape of an onion and overtaking the theory of the pyramid that struck me that evening. Not knowing what greatness would befall me in the other two seminars; I saw how clear Dr. Lukcas made even the most difficult topics for the average person. His memory regarding historical facts are phenomenal and accurate, and the amount of literature that he has written is remarkable. Dr. John Lukcas is a legend already as even the great Wendell Berry was in attendance for this lecture and a seminar. It was a breathtaking moment to have two such prominent figures in the same room and too see how each one admired the other. Personally, I was touched by the humility that this great man had while signing my books in which he thanked me for reading them. With legends such as Dr. Lukcas, they should not be thanking us, but us thanking them. Dr. Lukcas, thank you for touching my soul in the most humble way.