Thanks Bill - I find that a really moving appeal. I've noted it for use at the beginning of the coming semester. Our first semester students have just finished their first set of exams, and their marks follow the trend of the last ten years or so: dowwards. I see less and less ability on their part to think their way consistently through a problem from start to finish, and I'm currently in search of some moving words to motivate them after their disappointment in the exams.