I agree with most of his criticisms, but disagree strongly with his conclusion. My main beef with the Ivy League is that it neither trains people to be productive nor broadens minds. I don't really don't think it's possible for a government funded institution to broaden minds ( and yes, even the Ivy's have massive amounts of government subsidies). The professors in the humanities and social sciences act much more like an insular priesthood than purveyors of free thought ( which is not surprising considering the origins of the university and the selection process of professors). Comments on news.yc show far more free thought than I found in sections at Yale. I also do not think Joe carpenters' tax dollars should be subsidizing Yalie English literature majors. It's amazing how professors advocate that the government should do more to tax the rich and give to the poor, while never realizing that state funding for higher education is among the most regressive government spending that exists.
The university functions essentially as a gatekeeper to various credentialized professions ( scientist, professor, doctor, lawyer, civil service). As gatekeeper, it really does not need to educate you. Students have been selected for high enough IQ that they will learn what they need in grad school or on the job. The school's main job is to teach you to love the school, that the school is responsible for everything good in your life, and that the school makes you special. That way, when you end up making money, you will be sure to send money back to the school that was responsible for such happy times.
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I agree with most of his criticisms, but disagree strongly with his conclusion. My main beef with the Ivy League is that it neither trains people to be productive nor broadens minds. I don't really don't think it's possible for a government funded institution to broaden minds ( and yes, even the Ivy's have massive amounts of government subsidies). The professors in the humanities and social sciences act much more like an insular priesthood than purveyors of free thought ( which is not surprising considering the origins of the university and the selection process of professors). Comments on news.yc show far more free thought than I found in sections at Yale. I also do not think Joe carpenters' tax dollars should be subsidizing Yalie English literature majors. It's amazing how professors advocate that the government should do more to tax the rich and give to the poor, while never realizing that state funding for higher education is among the most regressive government spending that exists.
The university functions essentially as a gatekeeper to various credentialized professions ( scientist, professor, doctor, lawyer, civil service). As gatekeeper, it really does not need to educate you. Students have been selected for high enough IQ that they will learn what they need in grad school or on the job. The school's main job is to teach you to love the school, that the school is responsible for everything good in your life, and that the school makes you special. That way, when you end up making money, you will be sure to send money back to the school that was responsible for such happy times.