Themes of Canterlot University
So a recurring theme between blogs (namely mine, Smirk’s, and Rusty Nail’s) using Canterlot University as a setting has been that of stagnation and close-mindedness—for good or for bad.
My thoughts on this are as such:
Canterlot University is potentially the oldest school in Equestria. It’s the biggest baddest dude around, and a CU degree holds the kind of prestige that few other universities have. CU has been the leading authority in education for centuries, and things don’t look to change any time soon.
As such, there is a reputation to Canterlot University. And so, for the current administration, status quo is king. Liberal thinking is for other universities; CU is one of nobility, heritage, and stability. Experimentation and discovery is encouraged, of course, just not too much experimentation, too much discovery. Just enough to bring applause to the alma mater of the discoverer, but not too much to bring scrutiny on that same university, or potentially get government funding, something undoubtedly tied up in bureaucracy, trimmed back. Keep the people in charge of the pocketbooks happy, everyone is happy, right?
This isn’t to say that Canterlot University is a bad guy, of course. Some of these same discoveries may have… potentially dangerous implications, after all! And so additional issues become “safety of the public vs. new discovery.” Canterlot University of course having to take the side of public safety.
So my basic idea for Canterlot University is that it is a university of unparalleled education, so long as that education remains within status quo—and within safe limits. Change comes slowly, step by step.
Thoughts on this?