American universities are organized on the principle of the nuclear rather than the extended family. Graduate students are grimly trained to be technicians rather than connoisseurs. The old German style of universal scholarship has gone.

Summary

This quote critiques the organization and focus of American universities compared to the traditional German model of education. It argues that American universities prioritize specialization and technical training over the broader and more holistic approach to knowledge acquisition. The distinction is made between being trained as a technician, focusing on specific skills and expertise, versus being a connoisseur, someone who appreciates and is well-versed in various fields of study. It suggests that the traditional notion of well-rounded universal scholarship has diminished in American universities.

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