Kenneth A. Bruffee’s “binge Drinking as a Substitute for a Community of Learning

...

into learning communities can and will bridge this gap; of drinking to interact. For example, team projects and peer tutoring promote strengths and expose weaknesses. They build realistic foundations for constructive criticism that will be recognized, received and possibly improved upon while socializing and interacting in a safe, positive, educated environment. He indicates proof through research will be the science needed in order for colleges to adapt the culture, however, I feel that it is a matter of common sense that being stated, I can also understand the politics behind such a unconventional culture change. Fraternities and sororities should have a common focus of academic and community service activities. The previous culture of some Greek organizations promotion of hazing, keg chugging, and the art of beer pong mastery, as a hobby must become extinct.

If initially placed into environments where we are encouraged to interact openly, thoughtfully, comfortably, and consistently when entering college we can adapt and eventually evolve from the prehistoric “collegian party experience” binge drinking to interact. This could definitely diminish the old culture of having to alter your state of mind to socialize. Confidence and excitement for new reason would emerge, I believe when embarking upon the transition from high school to college. College environments are the initial frontier encountered by many transitioning from teenager to adults. Why should students, not be able to depend on colleges, to incorporate healthy initial social interaction amongst ourselves without the dependency alcohol? Why would colleges select not to adopt a system for improved learned behaviors in socially awkward situations alongside academic education? Ignoring these steps to reverse this social enigma, human kind continuously grows “numb”. Alcohol subliminally seems recommended as some sort of magic wand for ranges of basic to complicated self-expression and feeling. It is an unlikely source in aiding the development of healthy human interaction and authentic relationships formed by socializing.

“Research can guide colleges in such efforts. We need to know whether collaborative learning actually does help students bring to the surface suppressed curiousty and thought, and if so how. Most of all, we need to know whether collaborative learning-especially, but not exclusively, during the first year of college-can give students opportunities to make friends in settings that are not merely social, vapid encounters, and, as a result, reduce the social desperation that drives students to binge drinking.” (Bruffee 345). In closing, I anticipate that the relationships between drinking, advancements in technology, and human relationships have become clear along with all of the conflictions lying within their connection. I can believe that we have all heard the motto “Everything that glitters isn’t gold” it is a statement suitable for each issue above as well.

...