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Is this a problem? If so, can anything be done about it? The notion that formal training from a reputable institution should count for more than self-learned s

Is this a problem? If so, can anything be done about it? The notion that formal training from a reputable institution should count for more than self-learned skills doesn't seem particularly problematic. And even the notion that credentials from highly regarded and highly selective institutions should count for more than those from less distinguished institutions also seems ok. Of course they do. How could they not? But maybe I am missing something. If so, I'm sure the internet will promptly inform me of it.

informatimago 10y ago
This article doesn't really express the death of the autodidact, but rather than the rejection of the autodidact in Silicon Valley enterprises. I've seen in this article no references to statistics showing that there are less autodidactic learning now than earlier. I've not seen either references to statistics showing that there were fewer autodidacts amongst startup entrepreneurs. I would rather think that with the development of the Internet, of MOOCs, youtube channels dedicated to teaching, and the mere availability of books from the Internet, there is nowadays more autodidactic learning than ever. For make no mistake, learning anything from a MOOC is really autodidactic: the requirements to pass the MOOC exams are usually minimum, if you want to learn something, you will have to do your own study well beyond what is required to get the little certificate.
inimino 10y ago
Yes, this is a problem. First, just taking an imaginary Silicon Valley company as an example, if qualified people who are more self motivated and better at learning than the average college grad are being passed over because of cargo-cult HR policies, that would be a clear economic loss. Second, the supremacy of credentialling over accomplishment distorts the university education process itself. This includes rising tuitions (universities can charge more as alternative paths to middle class employment disappear) and lowering standards, as more and more people are pushed into and through the degree-granting process. Finally, the predominance of "prestige" names in competitive positions is a symptom of decreasing social mobility and diversity.

informatimago 10y ago

This article doesn't really express the death of the autodidact, but rather than the rejection of the autodidact in Silicon Valley enterprises. I've seen in this article no references to statistics showing that there are less autodidactic learning now than earlier. I've not seen either references to statistics showing that there were fewer autodidacts amongst startup entrepreneurs. I would rather think that with the development of the Internet, of MOOCs, youtube channels dedicated to teaching, and the mere availability of books from the Internet, there is nowadays more autodidactic learning than ever. For make no mistake, learning anything from a MOOC is really autodidactic: the requirements to pass the MOOC exams are usually minimum, if you want to learn something, you will have to do your own study well beyond what is required to get the little certificate.

inimino 10y ago

Yes, this is a problem. First, just taking an imaginary Silicon Valley company as an example, if qualified people who are more self motivated and better at learning than the average college grad are being passed over because of cargo-cult HR policies, that would be a clear economic loss. Second, the supremacy of credentialling over accomplishment distorts the university education process itself. This includes rising tuitions (universities can charge more as alternative paths to middle class employment disappear) and lowering standards, as more and more people are pushed into and through the degree-granting process. Finally, the predominance of "prestige" names in competitive positions is a symptom of decreasing social mobility and diversity.