One of my favorite movies is “Back to School,” starring Rodney Dangerfield: Successful businessman goes back to school and in the process teaches academia a few lessons.

During the movie, Dangerfield’s character has an argument with his business professor on how to set up a company. When the professor gives a hypothetical example and Dangerfield asks him what product is being made, the professor answers that it doesn’t matter. Dangerfield mumbles to his son: “Doesn’t matter? Tell that to the bank.” When the professor discusses building a factory, Dangerfield asks why build when it’s cheaper to lease? Finally, when the professor outlines additional costs, Dangerfield inserts that he left out a lot, like “greasing” the local politicians, building inspectors and Teamsters. Meanwhile, the students start taking notes on Dangerfield’s comments, forgetting the professor. Comical and perhaps exaggerated, this scene points out a separation — probably not so fictional — between what is taught and what happens in the real world. (more…)