Taking an early look at an item in tomorrow’s NY Times, we are led to wonder whether the premise, especially including this interesting empirical observation, is a statement of fact, or not:

The post-idea world has been a long time coming, and many factors have contributed to it. There is the retreat in universities from the real world, and an encouragement of and reward for the narrowest specialization rather than for daring — for tending potted plants rather than planting forests.

How will we investigate?  One place to start is looking within universities, and for this many of our contributors are uniquely suited to take the challenge and seek out evidence pro and con.  The gauntlet is in motion.