Is College a Waste of Time and Money?

TL;DR

Many argue that higher education, especially outside STEM fields, is a costly and inefficient system that serves primarily as an IQ sorting tool. The necessity of college degrees for jobs that historically didn't require them has escalated educational costs and reduced opportunities for those unable to pursue higher education. This trend reflects a misinterpretation of success, perpetuated by federal subsidies and societal pressure.

Transcript

I want there to be more conservatives that are trying to participate in Academia but I feel like the leading thought or the leading speaking out against it is basically saying it's a waste of time it's completely lost so I I think that the alternative to that is that the you are seeing on the right a growth of for example alternative universities s... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤑 Higher education is increasingly seen as a scam and a waste of time and money, particularly for non-STEM fields.
• 🎓 The requirement of college degrees for jobs that don't necessarily need them has created stratification and limited opportunities for those without higher education.
• 😮 Federal subsidies and the lack of collateral for non-lucrative degrees have contributed to the rising cost of education.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has higher education become a scam?

Higher education is seen as a scam because it is seen as a formalized sorting mechanism based on IQ, forcing people to spend money and time on degrees that may not have much practical value in the job market.

Q: Why are college degrees now required for jobs that don't need them?

It is believed that the correlation between higher education and higher income led to the misconception that everyone should go to college. This has created additional layers of stratification and limited opportunities for those without degrees.

Q: What has caused the rising cost of education?

The rising cost of education is largely attributed to Federal subsidies, which have led to increased demand and, consequently, higher prices. Additionally, lack of collateral for non-lucrative degrees has deterred banks from lending to students pursuing certain majors.

Q: Can the education system be improved without complete dismantlement?

While there is a growing populist tendency to question and reject institutions, some institutions may still have value. It is important to examine each institution individually to determine if they are salvageable or if alternatives should be sought.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Higher education is viewed as a waste of time and money, particularly for non-STEM fields, as it is seen as a formalized sorting mechanism based on IQ.

• The requirement of a college degree for jobs that don't necessarily need one has led to increased stratification and limited opportunities for those without higher education.

• The rising cost of education is largely due to Federal subsidies and the lack of collateral for non-lucrative degrees.