We live in a world where technology is constantly evolving, becoming more ingrained in our lives. Scientific advancements are happening every day.

There’s no doubt that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are a great thing. But in all the buzz over these things, something very important to our culture seems to have lost importance. The humanities.

Humanities is a broad term for all studies of languages, literature, philosophy, history, music, art, etc. STEM is more logic-based while humanities tend to lean toward creativity and emotion.

Humanities have proven to be a crucial part of living. Art, music, writing: they’re all ways we as humans have channeled our emotions and creativity.

Here are some of the more meaningful parts of the humanities and their importance:

1. Language:

Language encompasses speech, reading and writing, all essential parts of life. Without

speech, we couldn’t communicate. There are so many languages that express the unique

beauty of different cultures. And don’t forget about reading and writing. We use these

skills every single day. Jotting down the grocery list. Flipping through a magazine.

Writing a check. Reading a map. Without reading and writing, life would be so much

more difficult. Did I mention we use them every day?

2. Art and Music:

Art and music are ways of expressing yourself. They’re outlets many people use to escape the world. In art, creativity is the only rule. They give new perspective and provide a glimpse into someone else’s life. Music is also a form of self expression. It is an escape for both the artist and the listener. It’s an emotional connection that is hardly found in anything else.

3. History:

Many people underestimate the importance of history. It is an extremely important part of culture. What kind of citizens would we be if we didn’t know our own nation’s history? Besides, history helps us learn from our mistakes.

While STEM may seem to be a crucial part of life today, people have survived hundreds of years without technology and science in the past. True, they do make life easier, but the humanities are a necessity on a more fundamental level. The need to express yourself.

Imagine living without music. Or art or books. People have been using these as a way to connect with both other people and themselves. They help make life sweeter.

On a more logistical note, where would we be without languages? How would we communicate? What would happen if none of us could read or write? Sure, it’s hard to imagine life without our cell phones and gadgets, but people before us have done it.

STEM tries to stamp out the need for the humanities. Supporters argue that life expectancy was lower back when there was less technology. The life expectancy in the Americas in 1900 was 41 years and in 1913, it was 45.1. So it’s true that that number is lower than today. And yes, some of that probably had to do with advancements in technology. But definitely not all of it. We have to consider what was going on during that time period. Thousand Days’ War (Columbia), World War I, Contestado War and the Mexican Revolution both happened in the early to mid 1900s. Death is war a part of war, no matter how much technology you have. This definitely could have skewed the data.
I mean, come on, they have an acronym.