Without the study of our history, our values and our goals-the study of the Humanities-the American dream would be reduced to the pursuit of bigger and bigger automobiles and bigger and bigger houses. We now know that such narrow pursuits can lead us into trouble. Neither neuroscience nor astrophysics can help us define the good life. They can only give us tools to build the world we can imagine and choose through listening to and imagining the stories that build America. Software, computers, films and photographs are only media that beg us to choose and evaluate their content. Whatever content we choose will find its roots in our history and our dreams-in the Humanities. The Humanities are the stories of individuals, communities, our entire nation and humankind. From these stories we have built and continue to renew the American Dream. Ask George, Tom, Teddy, Abe, Ben, Jack, Eleanor, Oliver and Zora. The men and women who have drawn from and contributed to the humanities and the American Dream. What would they have said about reducing support for the Humanities?
