> The cynical view of America’s educational system—that it is merely a means by which privileged co-eds can make the right connections, build “social capital,” and get laid—is obviously on full display here. If education isn’t actually about learning anything, and is merely a game for the well-to-do, why not rig that game as quickly, efficiently, and cynically as possible? AI capitalizes on this cynical worldview, exploiting the view-holder and making them stupider while also profiting from them.
Accurate, as far as I can tell
pavel_lishin•8mo ago
> it is merely a means by which privileged co-eds can make the right connections
90% of the value of going to college was exactly this for me.
My roommate's father knew someone looking for a software developer, and they hired me before I even graduated. Another roommate got me my next job, post-graduation. Meanwhile, the actual education I got did not really do a great job of preparing me for writing software.
Granted, I was on the CS track - which is more academic than the Software Engineering track offered - but this was absolutely not clear to me at the time, and nearly everyone I went to school with did nearly the exact same thing.
But maybe this isn't true for other specialties. I'm hoping that engineers & architects & other people who are responsible for building the systems keeping me alive are getting a much better education.
bmink•8mo ago
Accurate, as far as I can tell
pavel_lishin•8mo ago
90% of the value of going to college was exactly this for me.
My roommate's father knew someone looking for a software developer, and they hired me before I even graduated. Another roommate got me my next job, post-graduation. Meanwhile, the actual education I got did not really do a great job of preparing me for writing software.
Granted, I was on the CS track - which is more academic than the Software Engineering track offered - but this was absolutely not clear to me at the time, and nearly everyone I went to school with did nearly the exact same thing.
But maybe this isn't true for other specialties. I'm hoping that engineers & architects & other people who are responsible for building the systems keeping me alive are getting a much better education.