You're all familiar with my BCS analogy (to repair any essentially flawed construct, it must be rebuilt rather than repaired), right? Good. Our new extension is to the American higher education. We're all well aware that the early to mid stages of the system are a mess, as the taxpayers undervalue the worth of edifying others' kids with their sixpence. Compounding the issue is unchecked modern American capitalism. Adam Smith didn't see this coming, yo. Institutions of higher education (we'll just call them colleges) are big business from tuition to athletics to the textbook cartels. It is a mess.
Also, I have yet to encounter a compelling argument as to why there should not be a parallel apprenticeship option. Ex. You decide to be a plumber or a video game designer or a state senator. Then you get a minimum wage entry level job in that field. If you chose poorly and it sucks then you simply leave your inessential position and dig another. As you progress through the hierarchy of any organization, advancement would be base on merit, that is the best interest of the company. See, still capitalism. C'mon, shout me out a downside.
Colleges would still have a place, that which they held just 50 years ago, as places for intellectual debate and existential examination. I'm unsure who decided that all US students needed this well-rounded liberal arts education, it doesn't seem to have elevated our national zeitgeist (yes, I do know what that means). Instead this "ideal" has functioned mostly to fill the coffers of university presidents and trustees.
Again, even if you ALL agree with me, there would be no hope of affecting any sort of meaningful change, given the stature of those self-interested in the perpetuation of the status quo. We would have to blow it up first. At least that's a good reason for me not to shut up. The irony here is that I am a product of the country's addiction to college diplomas. Do I contribute in the manner that "they" hoped I might. Hells, no! But maybe mine is the story of Anakin bringing balance to the force -- in the most unlikely manner imaginable.
Cheers. Here's Rise Against --
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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