Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[moonsun]

context: The explosive success of American universities stems at least in part from the fact that they are treated not merely as economic units but as the guardians of the souls of their people.

What does "explosive " and "the souls of their people" mean?

[bud]

Moonsun, I'm really not sure what the witer is trying to say here.

An "explosive success," to me, means a quick, dramatic success. For example, six months ago it was unheard of, but today it is hugely successful. But that's not true of universities. Most have been successful for decades or centuries.

Similarly, I wonder how universities act as the guardians of our souls. That's what churches, temples and mosques are for. "Soul" is used in different ways. Sometimes it is meant as the essence of someone/something. Other times, like here (possibly), it is meant as a metaphor for the goodness of someone - morality, kindness, ethics - things like that.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[redset]

I'm guessing it means something along the lines of American universities not merely being diploma factories (pay your money and come out with a degree), and instead taking care to educate each student in a broader sense - guiding them through personal development and helping them to experience as much as possible, something like that. Helping each student to grow.

Not sure about the whole success thing, since that's really based more on the country's economic and social situation. Maybe it's talking about an increase in the number of foreign students choosing American universities, or they're somehow measuring the number of people who are choosing to attend college for the whole 'guardians of their souls' angle (as opposed to people who actually, like, need a degree).