"To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past," according to the National Science Board.

Now, don't get me wrong; STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education is absolutely crucial to society. In a world where new and better technologies are heralded as the next step for humanity, of course the next generation has to continue these advancements. We need more and better engineers, innovators, scientists. It is natural to want to keep advancing.

But is it possible that the push for STEM comes at a price?

I do not hate STEM. Why should I scorn the future designers of the next iPhone? What I'm concerned about is whether the humanities are a sacrificial lamb in this scientific frenzy. As much as I support the allocation of money to STEM education, I cannot bring myself to justify such spending while funds are being cut at rapid rates from various arts programs.

This is not some slight discrepancy. Dosomething.org dedicates a page to supporting arts programs, noting that while federal funding for the arts and humanities amounts to around $250 million, funding for the sciences comes in at about $5 billion. To put that into perspective, $5 billion would be enough to purchase around 50,000 grand pianos at around $100,000 each. Now imagine giving the 50,000 pianos to underprivileged children, allowing them to develop a hobby that will not only benefit them for a lifetime, but increase their academic performance.

It is almost a cliché to say music and academic success go hand in hand.

But numbers do not lie. Students who study the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to be awarded for school attendance, according to Dosomething.org.

Why is it so hard for us as a society to articulate our need for the arts? Or, more radically yet, does there even need to be a why?

We need the arts because we need expression. Is it not refreshing to read a piece of well-written poetry, or indulge in the auditory caress of a language? Is it really so wrong to love something for the sake of loving?

Humanities give us an outlet for self expression; there is no "right" answer. It is a place of less restriction, where we are free to opine and to deliberate without the sting of error.

Humans are complicated beings, capable of radical anger, murderous greed and passionate love. To be able to release these feelings is crucial as a species. It is crucial as a society. It is crucial as an individual.