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[–]FrenologistSaving the World 1 Cranial Exam at a Time 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

This presupposes what were all taught about college education.

I don't understand. What presupposition would this be? That the USA is now flooded with people holding 4-year degrees in mostly worthless fields? If that's what you're saying, I agree.

Even if students focused on the few fields that still offer upward mobility and generous income, those industries don't have enough space to employ the bulk of a new glut of freshly-minted degree holders--only a select few will make it to the good jobs. Nepotism doesn't require a good SAT/ACT score--it requires connections.

[–]Richard_Parker 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

1) that college is demanding 2) that it is the gateway to the middle classes that Gen Xers for example were lied to about

Worthless fields? A lot now are sadly. But if a university system is administered with proper standards, an English Literature degree should mean something.... People can now graduate with a BA in English lit without having read Chaucer or Milton and very little if any Shakespeare.

[–]FrenologistSaving the World 1 Cranial Exam at a Time 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

But if a university system is administered with proper standards, an English Literature degree should mean something

There are only so many well-paying jobs available to people with an English Literature degree. The real problem is that the USA has a glut of people with degrees and too few people who can perform skilled labor. The idea that EVERYONE should attend university and that it was the best way to get a golden ticket led to more and more people with degrees. Easy access to student loans made it even worse. Standards are a secondary issue.

[–]Richard_Parker 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

I disagree. So many written statements, advertisements, are riddled with grammatical errors, or are poorly written. I agree that part of the problem is everyone is encouraged to go to college, and colleges weed out very few with laxed curricula and grading standards.

[–]FrenologistSaving the World 1 Cranial Exam at a Time 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

You can disagree but, you're wrong. There aren't enough jobs for people with English Literature degrees to go around. It's true now and it would be true even if every single one of them spoke/wrote with perfect grammar, punctuation and spelling.

The argument you're making is in support of useless degrees that outside of teaching, editing and some writing, are used to promote filth. Advertising is nothing but, corporate messaging. It's used to entice people into consumerism. We don't need more of it we need a LOT fucking less of it.

[–]Richard_Parker 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Fuck off. Western literature is not useless. Nor is a classicsl education, which is not what universities are providing of late .

[–]FrenologistSaving the World 1 Cranial Exam at a Time 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Let's all run out and get English Lit degrees! Heck, tell your kids its the, "Golden Ticket." They'll hate you for it once they realise you gave them very bad advice but, you gotta find a way to live your dream!

[–]Richard_Parker 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Again it all depends on what the curriculum and grading standards are. The problem here is we have very different conceptions of what a college is or should be.

Also, it is not a positive development where employers do it have an interest tin training young employees abuse the concept of intern ship, etc.