9 ms·

I see your point, but I don’t think that’s as clear as the time value of money. For many people, grad school is where you form some of your best life-long rela

I see your point, but I don’t think that’s as clear as the time value of money. For many people, grad school is where you form some of your best life-long relationships, in an environment where you’re surrounded by like-minded people. Many people would tolerate ramen noodles and free pizza for that trade.

notyourday 9y ago
That's because they don't know that they have any alternative. The situation that professors and schools would love to continue indefinitely.
- dogruck 9y ago
  Your claim is that grad students do not know that they could be working instead of going to school? That strikes me as a weak argument.
  - notyourday 9y ago
    My claim is that the grad students do not know how much money they would be making and what kind of problems they would be solving if they were to say "See ya later, Suzi" and moved to companies working on those problems. Largely, it is because most of them are young and pretty street-dumb. That makes them naively believe that schools, professors and advisers have students best interests at heart, none of which barring a few exceptions can be further from the truth. Schools and especially professors need the cheap labor and cheap ideas provided by the grad students. The age old adage "Those that can do, those that can't teach" applies. The moment grad students move from making peanuts, dealing with politics, kissing ass of their professors and doing work of their professors to making bank, dealing with politics, kissing ass of their managers and doing work for their managers academia as we know it would collapse.
    - dogruck 9y ago
      If what you argue is true, then what do you think is the primary reason all of these grad students are blind to other opportunities? I have a hard time believing it’s because grad students are “young and pretty street-dumb.” Also, do you have a proposed solution to open their eyes? Or do you think the situation is hopeless?
      - CamelCaseName 9y ago
        Without commenting on the verity of GP's claim, co-op is the solution.

notyourday 9y ago

That's because they don't know that they have any alternative. The situation that professors and schools would love to continue indefinitely.

dogruck 9y ago
Your claim is that grad students do not know that they could be working instead of going to school? That strikes me as a weak argument.
- notyourday 9y ago
  My claim is that the grad students do not know how much money they would be making and what kind of problems they would be solving if they were to say "See ya later, Suzi" and moved to companies working on those problems. Largely, it is because most of them are young and pretty street-dumb. That makes them naively believe that schools, professors and advisers have students best interests at heart, none of which barring a few exceptions can be further from the truth. Schools and especially professors need the cheap labor and cheap ideas provided by the grad students. The age old adage "Those that can do, those that can't teach" applies. The moment grad students move from making peanuts, dealing with politics, kissing ass of their professors and doing work of their professors to making bank, dealing with politics, kissing ass of their managers and doing work for their managers academia as we know it would collapse.
  - dogruck 9y ago
    If what you argue is true, then what do you think is the primary reason all of these grad students are blind to other opportunities? I have a hard time believing it’s because grad students are “young and pretty street-dumb.” Also, do you have a proposed solution to open their eyes? Or do you think the situation is hopeless?
    - CamelCaseName 9y ago
      Without commenting on the verity of GP's claim, co-op is the solution.