You don't think college―further education―is useful?
Are you as good with code as you are in catering for thousands?
It's impossible to be an expert in multiple fields. Specialized further education is essential―otherwise, we'd all be have the same small, limited, "high school" set of skills.
When you develop a pill that can give every human all discovered knowledge, then there will be no need for further education.
Further academic education is useful for a subset of individuals. Many people would have a larger positive effect on themselves and others with the addition of skills (a trade, electrician, plumber, mason, ...) and experiences you rarely see in a four year higher education institution. Most academic learning can be gained with a library card and a discussion partner. This leaves aside the question of financial value to the type of education they are pursuing.
I also disagree that you can't be an expert in multiple fields. People that love learning can advance to that status in several fields in a lifetime if they wish. Expertise is also somewhat relative and often quite limited.
I think a highly specialized society has great benefits for economies of scale and intense utilization of comparative advantage, but I also think a lot of people would be happier if they slowed down and had greater breadth. Physical work and tangible achievement through self reliance is phenomenally rewarding. Much freedom is gained in breadth of experience.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
--Robert A. Heinlein
I work at a university and that quote has adorned my office door for few years. I love the quote. However, I've learned to be wary of 'ought' statements. The quote is really saying that humans ought to be different from insects but that doesn't mean that we, as a society/species, can be.
It's really up to the person. I think that if a candidate did not go to college, it would be interesting to see what they did instead. If they did something interesting or acquired new skills during that time, then it can possibly be equivalent to a college education.
you can self-educate. you can educate in ways/venues other than college. further education is-not-necessarily-or-only college
however, college/university does typically take 4+ years, costs anywhere from USD$20-100k, and there's a lot involved other than actual learning. there are many ways in which we can improve upon it.
It's also a change in location. It's significantly easier to be driven and interested in a subject when there are a nonzero number of people sharing your interest to interact with.
oh definitely, for the right person college can be hugely valuable. However that is not every person and that's my complaint. There seems to be the idea floating around that every person will benefit from college, at least enough to offset the cost of it, this isn't true.
Comments
Why is nobody questioning the "need" for college.
This is a huge problem too, the idea that college is needed.
You don't think college―further education―is useful?
Are you as good with code as you are in catering for thousands?
It's impossible to be an expert in multiple fields. Specialized further education is essential―otherwise, we'd all be have the same small, limited, "high school" set of skills.
When you develop a pill that can give every human all discovered knowledge, then there will be no need for further education.
Further academic education is useful for a subset of individuals. Many people would have a larger positive effect on themselves and others with the addition of skills (a trade, electrician, plumber, mason, ...) and experiences you rarely see in a four year higher education institution. Most academic learning can be gained with a library card and a discussion partner. This leaves aside the question of financial value to the type of education they are pursuing.
I also disagree that you can't be an expert in multiple fields. People that love learning can advance to that status in several fields in a lifetime if they wish. Expertise is also somewhat relative and often quite limited.
I think a highly specialized society has great benefits for economies of scale and intense utilization of comparative advantage, but I also think a lot of people would be happier if they slowed down and had greater breadth. Physical work and tangible achievement through self reliance is phenomenally rewarding. Much freedom is gained in breadth of experience.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." --Robert A. Heinlein
I work at a university and that quote has adorned my office door for few years. I love the quote. However, I've learned to be wary of 'ought' statements. The quote is really saying that humans ought to be different from insects but that doesn't mean that we, as a society/species, can be.
There is a difference between needing something and finding something useful.
It's really up to the person. I think that if a candidate did not go to college, it would be interesting to see what they did instead. If they did something interesting or acquired new skills during that time, then it can possibly be equivalent to a college education.
you can self-educate. you can educate in ways/venues other than college. further education is-not-necessarily-or-only college
however, college/university does typically take 4+ years, costs anywhere from USD$20-100k, and there's a lot involved other than actual learning. there are many ways in which we can improve upon it.
It's also a change in location. It's significantly easier to be driven and interested in a subject when there are a nonzero number of people sharing your interest to interact with.
oh definitely, for the right person college can be hugely valuable. However that is not every person and that's my complaint. There seems to be the idea floating around that every person will benefit from college, at least enough to offset the cost of it, this isn't true.
Every person is different.