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While I disagree with your framing (only slightly), it has historically been the case that university is where the upper class spends their early 20s with the c

by dls2016 6y ago

While I disagree with your framing (only slightly), it has historically been the case that university is where the upper class spends their early 20s with the content of the education not really having a bearing on the direction of the students’ lives. I think we’ve done a pretty good job duplicating this model for the masses! Even down to the alternate justice model inside most universities. Perpetrate a drug or sexual crime? No big deal, just switch schools and start over! Takes a lot of admins to recreate the upper class bubble for the poors. I can’t really blame people for wanting this security for their children. Ultimately I don't think it will change until (at least in the US) we address things like universal healthcare, justice system reform and maybe even a UBI.

whymauri 6y ago
Yeah, it's actually funny that the GP's characterization is more aligned with the historical/ancient function of colleges and universities than the current one. For many decades at a time, you could characterize the student body of legendary schools like Oxford as "Bands of bored and inebriated wealthy teenagers." For the best example, look no further than the St. Scholastica Day Riots, which started with a drunk angry scholar and escalated into a mob riot with nearly 100 casualties. [0] When not rioting against the villagers, Oxford scholars in the 13th and 14th century were prone to riot amongst themselves. Similar disagreements in the past culminated in lynchings and led to the founding of the University of Cambridge (to avoid more bloodshed from angry villagers, but also in part to avoid accountability for other kerfuffles). So yeah, wealthy teenager daycare with education on the side is nothing new. Edit: fixed a few historical inaccuracies, I mixed a few events in my head. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Scholastica_Day_riot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Scholastica_Day_riot
- Zuider 6y ago
  From your link: >The seed of the riot was an altercation in the Swindlestock Tavern in Oxford [ when two students became angry at being served poor quality drink ] I wonder if this is the etymological origin of the word 'swindle?' The online etymological dictionary indicates that the term was of German origin, brought to England by German Jews, meaning a giddy or untrustworthy person, based on an older word meaning to languish or decline but that seems incognate with its current meaning.
andreilys 6y ago
Even down to the alternate justice model inside most universities. Perpetrate a drug or sexual crime? No big deal, just switch schools and start over! Except when the police is involved which should be any time the law is broken. You make it seem like colleges are their own oasis of law and order.
- dls2016 6y ago
  I was trying to be factual with a little sarcastic flair. My personal belief is that there shouldn’t be an alternate justice system within the university.
  - pasttense01 6y ago
    There should be an alternate justice system for academic crimes such as cheating.
- ficklepickle 6y ago
  Unless you are Brock Turner-esque, in which case "20 minutes of fun" shouldn't ruin your whole life.

whymauri 6y ago

Yeah, it's actually funny that the GP's characterization is more aligned with the historical/ancient function of colleges and universities than the current one. For many decades at a time, you could characterize the student body of legendary schools like Oxford as "Bands of bored and inebriated wealthy teenagers." For the best example, look no further than the St. Scholastica Day Riots, which started with a drunk angry scholar and escalated into a mob riot with nearly 100 casualties. [0] When not rioting against the villagers, Oxford scholars in the 13th and 14th century were prone to riot amongst themselves. Similar disagreements in the past culminated in lynchings and led to the founding of the University of Cambridge (to avoid more bloodshed from angry villagers, but also in part to avoid accountability for other kerfuffles). So yeah, wealthy teenager daycare with education on the side is nothing new. Edit: fixed a few historical inaccuracies, I mixed a few events in my head. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Scholastica_Day_riot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Scholastica_Day_riot

Zuider 6y ago
From your link: >The seed of the riot was an altercation in the Swindlestock Tavern in Oxford [ when two students became angry at being served poor quality drink ] I wonder if this is the etymological origin of the word 'swindle?' The online etymological dictionary indicates that the term was of German origin, brought to England by German Jews, meaning a giddy or untrustworthy person, based on an older word meaning to languish or decline but that seems incognate with its current meaning.

andreilys 6y ago

Even down to the alternate justice model inside most universities. Perpetrate a drug or sexual crime? No big deal, just switch schools and start over! Except when the police is involved which should be any time the law is broken. You make it seem like colleges are their own oasis of law and order.

dls2016 6y ago
I was trying to be factual with a little sarcastic flair. My personal belief is that there shouldn’t be an alternate justice system within the university.
- pasttense01 6y ago
  There should be an alternate justice system for academic crimes such as cheating.
ficklepickle 6y ago
Unless you are Brock Turner-esque, in which case "20 minutes of fun" shouldn't ruin your whole life.