It is fascinating to watch how some intellectuals approach social problems. They’re very happy to talk an issue to death, but unfortunately place much less emphasis on actually doing something tangible .

Thus is the case with the UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity. Gene Nichol is taking over the program that began as a platform for John Edwards’ run for the presidency. It seems Nichol is content with continuing the Center’s history of research and conferences — in other words, lots of talk — but little tangible action. From the Daily Tar Heel:

But Nichol said he hopes to be working with the center for a long time and is committed to making it active in addressing the pressing needs of those in poverty through first-rate research and conferences.

And he wants to continue with what he said has been an impressive start.

“I think the center’s had an impressive record of accomplishment in its fairly brief history,” Nichol said.

“It has hosted academic and policy-based conferences that have been hugely successful, bringing the nation’s leading experts here to explore the challenges of poverty.”

While there is certainly a place, and need, for research and analysis of issues, what is left to “explore” following this country’s 40-year history of talking about poverty? No matter how much we talk about poverty, write about poverty, and spend taxpayer funds trying to reduce poverty, the poverty rate continues to hover at between 11 and 13 percent of the population.

The time for talking is over. If Nichol and the Center really want to make an impact — as each of us should — then join with local churches and nonprofits — the people who are actually making a difference in the daily lives of the poor. Or perhaps support fundamental change to this state’s K-12 education system, which currently leaves one out of every three students, and half of African-American males, without a high school diploma.