How to Figure Out Why Something Even Exists When you can't see why a thing exists, it's tempting to assume a cynical reason. Many colleges have degree programs for jazz musicians. That's a good idea. I know! It helps keep the art form alive. And it helps keep the colleges alive, by offering expensive degrees to people they know often make poor life choices. It's easy to get fixated, endlessly focusing on how incongruous the subject seems. On old jazz records, the MC never says, "Tonight at the Blue Note, we have a man with a PhD in jazz!" "He wrote a dissertation about syncopation. It's a shame. That'd be a great intro. Instead, look for reasons that the thing you don't understand might be useful. There's a lot to learn to be a jazz musician beyond just how to play the music. I'm sure. Things like, "How much should a pork pie hat cost?" "What does all that slang mean?" "How to console your disappointed parents." If all else fails, look at who benefits from its existence, and how it is helping them. A lot of the professors are jazz musicians themselves. Good! I'd bet they're grateful for the steady gig. "Class, if you study hard, you may get a teaching job like mine! Now don't crowd the exits. Please flee in an orderly line." © 2026: SCOTT MEYER BASICINSTRUCTIONS.NET