But the politicians espousing it have missed the insult implicit in the meritocratic society they are offering: If you did not go to college, and if you are not flourishing in the new economy, your failure must be your own fault.
Great read, this prejudice is the largest factor that holds people back from achieving their greatness. Self education is totally ignored by those who have the privilege of being supported by their family and class structures.
I have always felt that much of our fate in life is due to the accident of our birth. Something we have no control over but that guides most if not all of the opportunities we do or do not have in life. Yes - hard work, perseverance, etc. are all good qualities that promote success but where you end up in the first 18 years of your life sets the stage for the rest.
So many important things to think about in this article and thanks for the comments. Looking at college admission as the goal of education has done a lot to destroy the quality of what is taught and the fun and adventure of learning about the world for kids in k through 12. It has led to a focus on test taking and competition. There are so many important things we could be teaching our kids about our humanity, civics, health, history, etc etc to instill a love of learning and reading and life if we stopped thinking only of the end point as college and those who go as the only ones who succeeded.
Appreciating the role of luck in life can prompt a certain humility: There, but for an accident of birth, or the grace of God, or the mystery of fate, go I. This spirit of humility is the civic virtue we need now. It is the beginning of the way back from the harsh ethic of success that drives us apart. It points beyond the tyranny of merit toward a less rancorous, more generous public life.
I left education some years ago. One of my biggest frustrations was that the whole point and goal of K-12 education was to get kids to go to college (and to 'good schools' at that). I used to point out to parents, students, administrators, and policy makers repeatedly that less than a quarter of Americans have a degree. Most kids won't attempt college and of those that do most wont finish. So we've designed an entire system that benefits the few.
But then I would meet with Congressional reps and their policy teams and it hit me. All these people have degrees. The answer for them is to do what they did - go to college. They don't know any other way and so they can't legislate to support any other way.
I hope diversity becomes about more than just skin color, sex, origin, and sexual orientation; I hope it becomes more and more about class, education, experience, and values.
But the politicians espousing it have missed the insult implicit in the meritocratic society they are offering: If you did not go to college, and if you are not flourishing in the new economy, your failure must be your own fault.
Great read, this prejudice is the largest factor that holds people back from achieving their greatness. Self education is totally ignored by those who have the privilege of being supported by their family and class structures.
I have always felt that much of our fate in life is due to the accident of our birth. Something we have no control over but that guides most if not all of the opportunities we do or do not have in life. Yes - hard work, perseverance, etc. are all good qualities that promote success but where you end up in the first 18 years of your life sets the stage for the rest.
Great thought provoking article. I have too many thoughts/questions to even begin to comment.
So many important things to think about in this article and thanks for the comments. Looking at college admission as the goal of education has done a lot to destroy the quality of what is taught and the fun and adventure of learning about the world for kids in k through 12. It has led to a focus on test taking and competition. There are so many important things we could be teaching our kids about our humanity, civics, health, history, etc etc to instill a love of learning and reading and life if we stopped thinking only of the end point as college and those who go as the only ones who succeeded.
The part that struck me the most was that only 2/3 of the USA’s population does not have a four-year degree... something I was completely unaware of.
And yet, I wonder how much of this is due to overpriced tuition? Lack of opportunity?
Contempt for the less-educated may explain the push back against a living minimum wage.
I left education some years ago. One of my biggest frustrations was that the whole point and goal of K-12 education was to get kids to go to college (and to 'good schools' at that). I used to point out to parents, students, administrators, and policy makers repeatedly that less than a quarter of Americans have a degree. Most kids won't attempt college and of those that do most wont finish. So we've designed an entire system that benefits the few.
But then I would meet with Congressional reps and their policy teams and it hit me. All these people have degrees. The answer for them is to do what they did - go to college. They don't know any other way and so they can't legislate to support any other way.
I hope diversity becomes about more than just skin color, sex, origin, and sexual orientation; I hope it becomes more and more about class, education, experience, and values.