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Education used to be 'free' here in The Netherlands (certain amount of money each month for students). They recently turned this into a full fledged loan. Altho

Education used to be 'free' here in The Netherlands (certain amount of money each month for students). They recently turned this into a full fledged loan. Although the interest is very low it dramatically changes how students approach studies and immediately start to think in terms of ROI ... I fear for the future of Dutch education. I'm glad I just wrapped up my undergrad and am currently borrowing as well for my Master's but thankfully (I'm one of the few) who have 'great' career prospects. The American system is really really screwed up if you are trying to escape poverty.

seibelj 11y ago
I think in the USA college is too expensive, but I'm not convinced it should be free. I like the idea of students actually having some skin in the game. Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. You'll get into a situation like Norway, where it takes a master's to get a foot in the door, and no one gets a job until they are 30.
- UserRights 11y ago
  Compared to USA Norway has a very high living standard and an extremely good social care system, USA is ages behind that, really very much behind. Also participation in politics and society is much better organized and more effective than what we see in the pseudo-democratic system that USA represents today. So free eduction may play a role in producing positive results for the whole society. Also maybe the poets are more important to this than a person from a country where no free education is available can understand. Please also read about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
- rch 11y ago
  > Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. In a certain sense you already are, by indirectly bearing the costs of widespread loan defaults. At least the government is in a position to effectively address the overabundance of worthless degrees being issued.
- GFK_of_xmaspast 11y ago
  > Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. I do. Society needs poets.
- pvaldes 11y ago
  Take in mind that music industry could not exist without poetry. A successful song with fine lyrics can have a huge impact in the economy.
  - overdrivetg 11y ago
    Imma let you finish, but http://seatsmart.com/blog/lyric-intelligence/ http://seatsmart.com/blog/lyric-intelligence/

seibelj 11y ago

I think in the USA college is too expensive, but I'm not convinced it should be free. I like the idea of students actually having some skin in the game. Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. You'll get into a situation like Norway, where it takes a master's to get a foot in the door, and no one gets a job until they are 30.

UserRights 11y ago
Compared to USA Norway has a very high living standard and an extremely good social care system, USA is ages behind that, really very much behind. Also participation in politics and society is much better organized and more effective than what we see in the pseudo-democratic system that USA represents today. So free eduction may play a role in producing positive results for the whole society. Also maybe the poets are more important to this than a person from a country where no free education is available can understand. Please also read about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
rch 11y ago
> Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. In a certain sense you already are, by indirectly bearing the costs of widespread loan defaults. At least the government is in a position to effectively address the overabundance of worthless degrees being issued.
GFK_of_xmaspast 11y ago
> Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. I do. Society needs poets.
pvaldes 11y ago
Take in mind that music industry could not exist without poetry. A successful song with fine lyrics can have a huge impact in the economy.
- overdrivetg 11y ago
  Imma let you finish, but http://seatsmart.com/blog/lyric-intelligence/ http://seatsmart.com/blog/lyric-intelligence/