Oxford’s largest-ever project ‘shows what the humanities can do’

This is an unedited press release, not reporting. A building by itself does nothing. The spatial fallacy. And not one mention of the historic colleges and their knowledge transforming centers. Not one!

Well yes exactly and anyway, this might be great news for Oxford, a 'gleaming palace' (incisive reporting here) for the 'glittering spires' as it were but the Humanities as a whole can not survive and be reslourced by philanthropic gifts. Are we returning to the days of patronage for the arts and humanities now, an elite pre-occupation for the super rich and the well off? Good to have a shiny new building certainly but appreticehips for the rest?

'Obviously, what has changed, I think, is the sector context in which the urgency around creating the case for the humanities, for using this resource to demonstrate the added social value that it brings, and the benefits of what we do and how that reflects, amplifies and promotes the university’s civic mission.' 'It is really important to be able to have these flagship moments to be able to show the humanities’ importance, not only in terms of the disciplines, but how they can resolve and shape and inform global challenges. I think that is a really important moment.' Why do I feel depressed?

Yes, indeed!