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I disagree strongly about curriculum. Just to give an example, here is an exerpt about the language curriculum at Eton from a modern (90s) graduate: "Everyone

I disagree strongly about curriculum. Just to give an example, here is an exerpt about the language curriculum at Eton from a modern (90s) graduate: "Everyone must learn Latin and French for the first two years. Most boys have studied Latin and French for a couple of years before they arrive at the school. The cleverer boys also do Ancient Greek. There are many more languages offered besides these ones. The additional foreign languages are Russian, Spanish, German. Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Arabic. Those who are not good at languages need do only French and Latin." - Calers (1) To me this is just one of a myriad of examples that highlight the kind of difference in actual education curriculum between the oligarchs and the rest of us. I would argue much of this is about quality of life instead of "success outcomes", and generally about having a strong liberal arts background being a key component of ANY education worth anything. Which is also why I strongly disagree with those who advocate for sending students straight to vocational schools, and that whole general line of reasoning, for example. How many of your referenced founders and investors knew Latin and French before the age of 13? 1. https://gcalers.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/what-makes-eton-so-special/ https://gcalers.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/what-makes-eton-so-...

erik998 5y ago
Actually, Mark Zuckerburg went to Phillips Exeter Academy. "At Ardsley High School, Zuckerberg excelled in classes. After two years, he transferred to the private school Phillips Exeter Academy, where he won prizes in mathematics, astronomy, physics, and classical studies." [no coding classes, hmm?] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Exeter_Academy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Exeter_Academy The facebook idea came from the booklet tey give each class with a picture of the student's face and location. https://readwrite.com/2009/05/10/mark_zuckerberg_inspiration_for_facebook_before_harvard/ https://readwrite.com/2009/05/10/mark_zuckerberg_inspiration... Many other founders went to similar schools. I was not aware of this until I did policy debate and met these types of students. They do live in a bubble and have no idea how to relate to the rest. In fact, a good thing to do is always check the high school of these "founders." Check their curriculum... When I see trade school students doing billion dollar startups, I will believe education is no longer a great equalizer. At the same time, I believe if you want to participate in the American oligarchy or compete with them, you need to become familiar with where they get their training. It's not always the case but most times if you delve into their background you will find this to be the case.
- arminiusreturns 5y ago
  "At the same time, I believe if you want to participate in the American oligarchy or compete with them, you need to become familiar with where they get their training." Well observed! This has also been my conclusion, but I have to admit a curious line of thinking it spurred. With modern technology, it should be possible to spread this training to the public. If that happened though, what would be the impact? An oversaturated world of elites? Some new faction of elite that would then clash with the old-guard? It's a fun though experiment at least.
  - erik998 5y ago
    I don't think it will be possible maybe some ELIZA type interaction in the future you could come up with a virtual Harkness Table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harkness_table https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harkness_table The purpose of the small class size discussions and methods similar to Harkness is to teach children how to behave and interact in group discussion. You are taught mental poker with an authority figure and your cohort. I can see the value of this especially for children that will need to supervise their wealth once they become adults. It's a great way to prepare someone to supervise a family office. I believe learning the short duration decision games and long duration meta game with professor and class inculcates people predisposed to lead and inspire/manipulate. You need a physical setting to learn this on a daily basis over several years. Even if you are not good at it; if you recognize what is going on you won't waste time in dead end careers or partnerships with elites. That is very valuable... It's kind of funny. When people ask me which college they should send their kid to, I always reply better to spend their money on one of these types of private high schools or boarding schools. One of these kids and a community college degree will still be better off than most... (most likely they will find a way to continue the credential game, so...) Will the American oligarchy provide these opportunities to the general public? Never... it's costly and time consuming. They need people that submit to quarterly reviews, 0-5% raises, and tenuous year end bonuses. Maybe we should have a FAFSA for high school...
- erik998 5y ago
  """ No doubt some people will persist in questioning the usefulness of Latin. For these skeptics I have a two-word answer: Mark Zuckerberg. The 26-year-old founder of Facebook studied Classics at Phillips Exeter Academy and listed Latin as one of the languages he spoke on his Harvard application. So keen is he on the subject, he once quoted lines from the Aeneid during a Facebook product conference and now regards Latin as one of the keys to his success. Just how successful is he? According to Forbes magazine, he’s worth $6.9 billion. If that isn’t a useful skill, I don’t know what is. """ https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/tag/mark-zuckerberg/ https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/tag/mark-zuckerberg/
wahern 5y ago
> Most boys have studied Latin and French for a couple of years before they arrive at the school. The curriculum at elite schools speaks to the investments made for these children outside school. Not just tutoring, but parental support for homework, etc. At the end of the day, neither Latin nor French is, per se, likely to matter one iota regarding aggregate success. People don't get wealthy by graduating with a degree in Classics or French Literature. What matters is what these things reflect.

erik998 5y ago

Actually, Mark Zuckerburg went to Phillips Exeter Academy. "At Ardsley High School, Zuckerberg excelled in classes. After two years, he transferred to the private school Phillips Exeter Academy, where he won prizes in mathematics, astronomy, physics, and classical studies." [no coding classes, hmm?] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Exeter_Academy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Exeter_Academy The facebook idea came from the booklet tey give each class with a picture of the student's face and location. https://readwrite.com/2009/05/10/mark_zuckerberg_inspiration_for_facebook_before_harvard/ https://readwrite.com/2009/05/10/mark_zuckerberg_inspiration... Many other founders went to similar schools. I was not aware of this until I did policy debate and met these types of students. They do live in a bubble and have no idea how to relate to the rest. In fact, a good thing to do is always check the high school of these "founders." Check their curriculum... When I see trade school students doing billion dollar startups, I will believe education is no longer a great equalizer. At the same time, I believe if you want to participate in the American oligarchy or compete with them, you need to become familiar with where they get their training. It's not always the case but most times if you delve into their background you will find this to be the case.

arminiusreturns 5y ago
"At the same time, I believe if you want to participate in the American oligarchy or compete with them, you need to become familiar with where they get their training." Well observed! This has also been my conclusion, but I have to admit a curious line of thinking it spurred. With modern technology, it should be possible to spread this training to the public. If that happened though, what would be the impact? An oversaturated world of elites? Some new faction of elite that would then clash with the old-guard? It's a fun though experiment at least.
- erik998 5y ago
  I don't think it will be possible maybe some ELIZA type interaction in the future you could come up with a virtual Harkness Table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harkness_table https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harkness_table The purpose of the small class size discussions and methods similar to Harkness is to teach children how to behave and interact in group discussion. You are taught mental poker with an authority figure and your cohort. I can see the value of this especially for children that will need to supervise their wealth once they become adults. It's a great way to prepare someone to supervise a family office. I believe learning the short duration decision games and long duration meta game with professor and class inculcates people predisposed to lead and inspire/manipulate. You need a physical setting to learn this on a daily basis over several years. Even if you are not good at it; if you recognize what is going on you won't waste time in dead end careers or partnerships with elites. That is very valuable... It's kind of funny. When people ask me which college they should send their kid to, I always reply better to spend their money on one of these types of private high schools or boarding schools. One of these kids and a community college degree will still be better off than most... (most likely they will find a way to continue the credential game, so...) Will the American oligarchy provide these opportunities to the general public? Never... it's costly and time consuming. They need people that submit to quarterly reviews, 0-5% raises, and tenuous year end bonuses. Maybe we should have a FAFSA for high school...
erik998 5y ago
""" No doubt some people will persist in questioning the usefulness of Latin. For these skeptics I have a two-word answer: Mark Zuckerberg. The 26-year-old founder of Facebook studied Classics at Phillips Exeter Academy and listed Latin as one of the languages he spoke on his Harvard application. So keen is he on the subject, he once quoted lines from the Aeneid during a Facebook product conference and now regards Latin as one of the keys to his success. Just how successful is he? According to Forbes magazine, he’s worth $6.9 billion. If that isn’t a useful skill, I don’t know what is. """ https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/tag/mark-zuckerberg/ https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/tag/mark-zuckerberg/

wahern 5y ago

> Most boys have studied Latin and French for a couple of years before they arrive at the school. The curriculum at elite schools speaks to the investments made for these children outside school. Not just tutoring, but parental support for homework, etc. At the end of the day, neither Latin nor French is, per se, likely to matter one iota regarding aggregate success. People don't get wealthy by graduating with a degree in Classics or French Literature. What matters is what these things reflect.