re: re: 3.) I think you're right. And, I mean, no one except people writing this kind of colum would think that The American People (but I doubt you could say it about any other people either) would be revitalized and have their collective psyche changed by any discrete academic discovery. I bet more people were aware of the Large Hadron Collider than were aware that there's a discussion about Homer and Odysseus and historicity, and the interest in that lasted about until it was clear that the world hadn't been blown up (maybe not even that long).
and re: 4). Kristoff usually writes hand-wringy/inspirational stories about saving girls from brothels in India, so I don't think he's exactly a war-mongering type. But there are a lot of people who have their regular gig at the NYT and seem to use it to produce mindless drivel that reads like a bad high school essay. (I mean read something like "“The Odyssey” is particularly relevant to us today as we recover from our own decade of war.... an example of how the ordinary can inspire the extraordinary." and tell me that you wouldn't advise that student to read fewer Hallmark cards and try to write a thesis statement that actually makes an argument!)
no subject
and re: 4). Kristoff usually writes hand-wringy/inspirational stories about saving girls from brothels in India, so I don't think he's exactly a war-mongering type. But there are a lot of people who have their regular gig at the NYT and seem to use it to produce mindless drivel that reads like a bad high school essay. (I mean read something like "“The Odyssey” is particularly relevant to us today as we recover from our own decade of war.... an example of how the ordinary can inspire the extraordinary." and tell me that you wouldn't advise that student to read fewer Hallmark cards and try to write a thesis statement that actually makes an argument!)