I also feel that Google search results have become spammy lately. For technical topics, or opinions on a social topic, HN's search box can yield some gold mines

I also feel that Google search results have become spammy lately. For technical topics, or opinions on a social topic, HN's search box can yield some gold mines. What struck me the most from the essay is the section regarding universities. I don't think universities should be replaced. I think that they should go back to what they originally were, centuries ago, but enhanced by technology, better understanding of the learning process and sensitivity to each learner's personal development. That means students who are there because they want to learn, not just as a career stepping stone or for rites of passage, and who are free to follow their interests flexibly. Tutors who are passionate about their subjects, and want to share and who care about the flock they've taken in. A better peer-learning system; to openly share ideas, adjust and enrich own thoughts and build projects together. A dynamic curriculum; solid trees of knowledge that are open to wide-ranging thoughts and student needs and whims. Taking advantage of current technologies, blending them in the curriculum for a better learning experience. Greater sensitivity to each student's circumstances, who may change their mind to pursue another interest, who may decide to take a break from learning, who may be suffering from crises, ranging from personal to existential. ... Universities are supposed to be where you can learn freely, and possibly for the undergraduate, to prepare him/her for the real world. Yet your university experience is measured by what grade you graduate with. No doubt students need assessments - but it should be feedback for further development. Why can't we see the university as an incubator of personal development, where learning is a naturally iterative process? But it seems that in the "real world", all this seems to be wishful thinking. Universities have to make money! It's not just for commercial reasons, but research needs funding, whole populations need educating (and get jobs.) And recruiters are not that interested in personal journeys, because that's not what companies want - they want newly minted cogs to add to their great machines. So yes, it is frightening to think about it - it's very messy! In my view, the core issue with universities is that they are not adapting fast enough, and has become too bloated and possibly too commercialised that they have lost perspective of their original mission. So rather than build an entirely new system to replace universities, wouldn't it be more feasible for existing universities to be bolder and make the changes themselves? The other approach is to provide an alternative learning experience to universities (rather than replacing them.) This is an idea that has been knocking around in my head for a while: how about a public learning centre using MOOCs as the main resource? This will democratise MOOCs even more; you will have richer peer support, greater motivation to complete the course, and local subject matter experts can volunteer as 'mentors' to support the group though with no actual obligation to pass anyone. Libraries. Libraries can do this.