Game-Changers: Exploring the Consistency of Change
“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (The more things change, the more they stay the same) – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
250 years ago, in 1776, 56 men signed their names beneath the following declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This Declaration of Independence was signed amid a moment of global revolution and demands for democracy and human rights; from Haiti to France to Ireland, people all over the world were insisting upon a new and better tomorrow.
Over the last two and a half centuries, there have been countless other moments of inflection on scales both large and small. To name just a few, 1865’s Thirteenth Amendment demanded a game-changing end to American enslavement–a demand that is yet to be fully met–and also marked the end of a game-changing period when Americans took up arms against their fellow Americans. The early twentieth century’s World War I was a moment of game-changing global conflict and death tolls due to WWI’s status as the most technologically advanced war to that point.
At the same time, a true understanding of history reveals that moments that feel completely new and without precedent are often, in fact, reincarnations of earlier events. The Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but actually bear striking resemblance to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-20. Similarly, while artificial intelligence seems like the biggest linguistic innovation to date, it pales in comparison to how the creation of the printing press in 1440 made the written word accessible on a global scale. For as much as the world seems to change, we must also explore the degree to which it stays the same.
We will, therefore, explore a fundamental paradox: while each generation experiences unprecedented change, the underlying patterns of human response often remain remarkably consistent.
As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, and NJSP’s 50th in 2027, we’ll explore:
- What constitutes a true “game-changer” in human history?
- What conditions and catalysts create moments of transformative change?
- What enduring patterns persist across different eras of upheaval?
Scholar Life
A crucial part of the magic of the New Jersey Scholars Program (NJSP) derives from the fact that the Scholars are together for five weeks. Together they help each other rise to the challenges posed by NJSP. The camaraderie that develops is extraordinary. With their resident Head of House and Assistant Heads of House,, the Scholars learn to live together, learn together, and laugh together. Athletics provide a useful way to rest the brain and are conveniently accessible at The Lawrenceville School’s athletic facilities – where the Scholars can enjoy a variety of athletics. Scholars also organize a few off-campus jaunts for a change of pace. The program ends with a graduation ceremony to which all parents and families are invited. All-in-all, the New Jersey Scholars Program offers an extraordinary experience.
DAILY SCHEDULE (GENERAL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
7:30 a.m. – Breakfast in the Abbott or Tsai Dining Center where students and faculty will frequently share ideas, announcements, and presentations
8:30-10:00 a.m. – Morning lecture for all Scholars and faculty
10:15-11:45 a.m. – Morning seminar session (small groups of Scholars with a faculty member)
12:00 Noon – Lunch in the Abbott or Tsai Dining Center
1:30-3:00 pm – Afternoon seminar session
Free time – Reading, research as well as relaxation and athletics
5:30 p.m. – Dinner in the Abbott or Tsai Dining Center
8:00-10:00 p.m. – Study Hall; there will be occasional evening lectures or films.
If you would like to add your school and email to our database, please email us at – njsp@lawrenceville.org