7 ms·

"assuming costs rise at the same rate as the last 30 years" I just can't believe that will happen. The millennial generation has been burned HARD by higher edu

"assuming costs rise at the same rate as the last 30 years" I just can't believe that will happen. The millennial generation has been burned HARD by higher education. I'm guessing the demand for expensive programs loaded with amenities that provide little value will plummet by the time their kids come of age. I expect huge growth in low-frills low-cost technical programs. Also, the insane cost of higher education is mainly propped up by easy access to loans that are practically impossible to discharge via bankruptcy. If this ever changes (and there will be a lot of political will to when millennials are the main voter base) expect the price to practically collapse overnight.

rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
Theres no network, no alumni connection, no shared sense of pride for an alma mater in a low cost no frills technical program. Like they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
- spdionis 10y ago
  Well, you don't necessarily need that to "succeed in life". Doesn't sound like a good reason for not having a child. It's almost literally throwing the baby out with the water. But that's just my opinion of course.
  - rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
    Actually water is cheap where I live, but it brings on a larger concern: if climate change goes unaddressed and global population continues to rise, what world would I be bringing a child into? At this rate, things just don't look good for humanity. At the very least I can assume my future kids would be safe with stable jobs and employable skills, which brings me back to higher ed.
- civilian 10y ago
  As someone who studied biochemistry in a small engineering school in New England, I royally screwed myself when I decided to live on the west coast, and I doubley screwed myself when I switched from biotech to software. But hey, it's worked out okay, even though I've gotten a 0% boost from my alumni "network". I think you're denying the agency of your future children if things like "college costs" and "climate change" and other macro-level problems are deterring you & your partner from having kids. Let your kids solve those problems! They'll be thinking about the problem differently than an old fogey like you, because they will have grown up in it. And more generally: rm -rf, you're a smart motherfucker, and you obviously think globally, and the coming generation would benefit from having more of your spawn mixed in with them!!
  - rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
    Thank you, it is rare that an Internet comment puts a genuine smile on my face, but there it is. I'll keep what you said in mind.
- dietrichepp 10y ago
  Yes, they say that but it's not true for everyone. Tons of people leave college and get a fresh start afterwards, without much connection to their alma mater.

rm_-rf_slash 10y ago

Theres no network, no alumni connection, no shared sense of pride for an alma mater in a low cost no frills technical program. Like they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know.

spdionis 10y ago
Well, you don't necessarily need that to "succeed in life". Doesn't sound like a good reason for not having a child. It's almost literally throwing the baby out with the water. But that's just my opinion of course.
- rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
  Actually water is cheap where I live, but it brings on a larger concern: if climate change goes unaddressed and global population continues to rise, what world would I be bringing a child into? At this rate, things just don't look good for humanity. At the very least I can assume my future kids would be safe with stable jobs and employable skills, which brings me back to higher ed.
civilian 10y ago
As someone who studied biochemistry in a small engineering school in New England, I royally screwed myself when I decided to live on the west coast, and I doubley screwed myself when I switched from biotech to software. But hey, it's worked out okay, even though I've gotten a 0% boost from my alumni "network". I think you're denying the agency of your future children if things like "college costs" and "climate change" and other macro-level problems are deterring you & your partner from having kids. Let your kids solve those problems! They'll be thinking about the problem differently than an old fogey like you, because they will have grown up in it. And more generally: rm -rf, you're a smart motherfucker, and you obviously think globally, and the coming generation would benefit from having more of your spawn mixed in with them!!
- rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
  Thank you, it is rare that an Internet comment puts a genuine smile on my face, but there it is. I'll keep what you said in mind.
dietrichepp 10y ago
Yes, they say that but it's not true for everyone. Tons of people leave college and get a fresh start afterwards, without much connection to their alma mater.