Life — April 18, 1912 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine, April 18, 1912 This page contains editorial commentary on American college life, specifically criticizing the proliferation of exclusive social societies and clubs at universities like Yale. The cartoon shows two anthropomorphized figures (possibly representing different college factions) in conversation, illustrating the editorial's point about social division. The text argues that college societies distract students from their real academic mission, fragment the student body, and undermine democratic principles through elitism. The author suggests these clubs keep students "busy and keep them apart" and advocates for their abolition. The piece references Yale's society system by name as a cautionary example, criticizing how such organizations separate wealthy, privileged students from the broader student body and discourage meritocratic advancement based on genuine intellectual merit.