[Rhodes22-list] Academics - another view

[Herb Parsons]

Robert,

You're missing a link in the chain. Yes, you're 100% right on it going 
"where the bucks are"; however, it's the (typically) liberal agenda of 
"education for all" that brings in those bucks that are combined with 
poor self-motivation or initiative.

In "the old days", you basically had two types of people going to 
college - those that had wealthy parents, and those that worked they way 
through on their own. Obviously, there would be a percentage of those in 
the former group that weren't particularly motivated to do what needed 
to be done. It wasn't their money, so it didn't matter.

On the other hand, the poor slob that ate peanut butter sandwiches 6 
days a week, and "splurged" on Spam once a week, so he could work his 
way through school, understood the cost, and was more likely to do what 
needed to be done.

As we made the financial burden easier (or in some cases, non-existant), 
we added to the pool of those that were going on someone else's dime.

And this is a capitalistic society. The colleges are going to adjust for 
that shift, and make courses easier.

In other words, as PI (Politically INcorrect) as it may sound, there's 
something to be said for elitism.

And, as we further dilute what it means to have a "college education", 
it will become of lesser and lesser value.

Robert Skinner wrote:
> ...
> The dumbing down of college curricula may not be 
> entirely the result of whatever one might construe
> as "liberalism."  It may be a matter of where the 
> bucks are, and who is willing to dilute education in
> pursuit of the student dollar.
>
>   

-- 
Herb Parsons
S/V O'Jure - O'Day 25
S/V Reve de Pappa - Coronado 35