4 ms·

I think you misunderstood my comment, I'm sorry, I did not mean that. > It most certainly does. You need to be educated to manage all those factories that make

I think you misunderstood my comment, I'm sorry, I did not mean that. > It most certainly does. You need to be educated to manage all those factories that make everything from toys to factories. You need educated engineers to design and build those factories in the first place. And you need educated people to engage in scientific research in your universities. I think you're putting the cart before the horse. Yes, there's a rising demand for qualified people. But that demand didn't arise because the supply was too great. Typically when supply rises, wages drop. China is the opposite. > The simple fact is that even the poor understand that getting an education is one of the most reliable (and often only) paths to wealth and a better quality of life. Then why are rich people more likely to have higher education? Why do the rich in China value education just as much if not more? Why are top universities in the world not in China? I don't disagree with you here. I know the poor know this. I'm saying they're not stupid, they just can't "invest" as much. Also, even the poor?! Seriously?

pm90 9y ago
> I think you misunderstood my comment, I'm sorry, I did not mean that. No worries :). One thing I like about HN is professional discourse and debate, rather than the utter chaos that conversations in other fora devolve into. > I think you're putting the cart before the horse. Yes, there's a rising demand for qualified people. But that demand didn't arise because the supply was too great. Typically when supply rises, wages drop. China is the opposite. I agree with the fact. Honestly, I'm not sure about the underlying reasons for economic growth in China, so I will concede that I don't have much to back my assertion. > Then why are rich people more likely to have higher education? Why do the rich in China value education just as much if not more? Why are top universities in the world not in China? You are asking very broad questions as if they are closely related, which they are not. Rich people are free from the daily grinds of making ends meet which gives them more time to pursue some kind of education. They also have the means to afford the costs associated with getting an education, and are less likely to drop out because of monetary reasons. Top universities in the world are not in China because of many many reasons. Some reasons are: 1. There is already a hospitable environment for academia in the US. Much like SV, its hard to replicate elsewhere. 2. English is not the medium of Instruction in many Chinese universities, making it harder to attract talent from around the world. 3. Not quite sure about this, but I'm guessing the US spends more on scientific research and engineering than China. 4. China until very recently (speaking relatively) was not a very politically stable country, and stability is very necessary for an academic community to take hold and grow strong. Most US Universities have been around at least since after the Civil War and European universities have been around for much much longer. All of that is changing of course, but I'm pointing out the reasons why it is the way it is now. > Also, even the poor?! Seriously? Please don't quote me out of context. By even, my intention was that people who are trying hard to make ends meet, who don't have the basic necessities of life ... still understand that getting an education, which takes time and has no immediate alleviating benefits, can help them and is a path out of poverty. I did not intend to imply that they are somehow a lesser class of people, as you seem to imply with that statement.
- vilmosi 9y ago
  > One thing I like about HN is professional discourse and debate, rather than the utter chaos that conversations in other fora devolve into. I agree. I actually don't think we disagree on a lot besides pedantic disagreements outside the original discussion. That said... :) > Top universities in the world are not in China because of many many reasons. Some reasons are: I know the reasons, that you. Those questions were rethorical. But please take a step back and see the discussion in context. If what nopinsight says is true, how come a society that valued education for millennia doesn't have the best universities today? Answer, nopinsight is wrong, Confucianism isn't about social mobility at all, it's the opposite, the obsession with grades and exams is relatively recent. > Please don't quote me out of context. By even, my intention was that people who are trying hard to make ends meet, who don't have the basic necessities of life ... still understand that getting an education, which takes time and has no immediate alleviating benefits, can help them and is a path out of poverty. I did not intend to imply that they are somehow a lesser class of people, as you seem to imply with that statement. Yes, my entire thread is basically defending poor people. They aren't stupid, they know education is important, they just can't invest long term. I don't understand why you are arguing with me.

pm90 9y ago

> I think you misunderstood my comment, I'm sorry, I did not mean that. No worries :). One thing I like about HN is professional discourse and debate, rather than the utter chaos that conversations in other fora devolve into. > I think you're putting the cart before the horse. Yes, there's a rising demand for qualified people. But that demand didn't arise because the supply was too great. Typically when supply rises, wages drop. China is the opposite. I agree with the fact. Honestly, I'm not sure about the underlying reasons for economic growth in China, so I will concede that I don't have much to back my assertion. > Then why are rich people more likely to have higher education? Why do the rich in China value education just as much if not more? Why are top universities in the world not in China? You are asking very broad questions as if they are closely related, which they are not. Rich people are free from the daily grinds of making ends meet which gives them more time to pursue some kind of education. They also have the means to afford the costs associated with getting an education, and are less likely to drop out because of monetary reasons. Top universities in the world are not in China because of many many reasons. Some reasons are: 1. There is already a hospitable environment for academia in the US. Much like SV, its hard to replicate elsewhere. 2. English is not the medium of Instruction in many Chinese universities, making it harder to attract talent from around the world. 3. Not quite sure about this, but I'm guessing the US spends more on scientific research and engineering than China. 4. China until very recently (speaking relatively) was not a very politically stable country, and stability is very necessary for an academic community to take hold and grow strong. Most US Universities have been around at least since after the Civil War and European universities have been around for much much longer. All of that is changing of course, but I'm pointing out the reasons why it is the way it is now. > Also, even the poor?! Seriously? Please don't quote me out of context. By even, my intention was that people who are trying hard to make ends meet, who don't have the basic necessities of life ... still understand that getting an education, which takes time and has no immediate alleviating benefits, can help them and is a path out of poverty. I did not intend to imply that they are somehow a lesser class of people, as you seem to imply with that statement.

vilmosi 9y ago
> One thing I like about HN is professional discourse and debate, rather than the utter chaos that conversations in other fora devolve into. I agree. I actually don't think we disagree on a lot besides pedantic disagreements outside the original discussion. That said... :) > Top universities in the world are not in China because of many many reasons. Some reasons are: I know the reasons, that you. Those questions were rethorical. But please take a step back and see the discussion in context. If what nopinsight says is true, how come a society that valued education for millennia doesn't have the best universities today? Answer, nopinsight is wrong, Confucianism isn't about social mobility at all, it's the opposite, the obsession with grades and exams is relatively recent. > Please don't quote me out of context. By even, my intention was that people who are trying hard to make ends meet, who don't have the basic necessities of life ... still understand that getting an education, which takes time and has no immediate alleviating benefits, can help them and is a path out of poverty. I did not intend to imply that they are somehow a lesser class of people, as you seem to imply with that statement. Yes, my entire thread is basically defending poor people. They aren't stupid, they know education is important, they just can't invest long term. I don't understand why you are arguing with me.