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The controversy is over a measly $6000? That's what the fuss is about? Most people on this site have had $100,000+ spent by their parents in order for them to a

The controversy is over a measly $6000? That's what the fuss is about? Most people on this site have had $100,000+ spent by their parents in order for them to attend an invitation-only institution at which they spent four years networking with the supposed future leaders! Gasp! Honestly, TED seems like a much better investment than an elite college. Four years' time and $100-200k, at an age where it's mostly impossible to predict who will accomplish anything, with those "future leaders" selected by unqualified bureaucrats? Or $6000 for face-time with sure bets? Just sayin'. There are a lot of problems with our society and with parasitic elites, so don't get me wrong: I'm all about busting and beating on those who try to hoard power. I'd love to see a car bomb hit Skull and Bones, and I'd gladly contribute to an Internet hit pool on anyone who attended the Bilderberg conference. But we have to pick our targets carefully, and TED does not seem to deserve our indignation, at least not based on what I've read. My understanding is that it's relatively easy to get in if you have the $6000 (again, cheaper than college) and sign up early; it seems like it's difficult to enter because there's so much demand that the spots fill up early. Well? That's life.

Maro 17y ago
Most people on this site? Really?
ramchip 17y ago
I'd like to know where you went to pay 100-200k in tuition fees and get nothing but networking out of it. Where I live, a bachelor's degree is about 15k (total), and is about learning engineering, physics or whatever you want to do. Going to TED twice won't give you quite the same skills...
- pw0ncakes 17y ago
  That was perhaps a bit inflammatory... I probably shouldn't have posted it, at least not in that tone and manner. Certainly college doesn't provide "nothing but networking", nor does going to TED. You learn a lot in the process, sure. The reason American tuition is so high, however, especially at elite schools, is because a lot of Americans believe that attending the right college is a golden ticket of sorts. I guess my point is that there's no sense in being indignant about $6000 to attend TED when Americans are willing to spend an additional $250k over the cost of attending a first-rate state university (including the prep high schools required for most people to have a decent chance at the most prestigious college) for the supposed networking advantages.
  - ramchip 17y ago
    Yes, it was a bit inflammatory, but I see your point now and I agree.

Maro 17y ago

Most people on this site? Really?

ramchip 17y ago

I'd like to know where you went to pay 100-200k in tuition fees and get nothing but networking out of it. Where I live, a bachelor's degree is about 15k (total), and is about learning engineering, physics or whatever you want to do. Going to TED twice won't give you quite the same skills...

pw0ncakes 17y ago
That was perhaps a bit inflammatory... I probably shouldn't have posted it, at least not in that tone and manner. Certainly college doesn't provide "nothing but networking", nor does going to TED. You learn a lot in the process, sure. The reason American tuition is so high, however, especially at elite schools, is because a lot of Americans believe that attending the right college is a golden ticket of sorts. I guess my point is that there's no sense in being indignant about $6000 to attend TED when Americans are willing to spend an additional $250k over the cost of attending a first-rate state university (including the prep high schools required for most people to have a decent chance at the most prestigious college) for the supposed networking advantages.
- ramchip 17y ago
  Yes, it was a bit inflammatory, but I see your point now and I agree.