I don't think anyone ever thought they sounded like scams. At least, I didn't. They just weren't viable replacements for a traditional degree program. Which is

I don't think anyone ever thought they sounded like scams. At least, I didn't. They just weren't viable replacements for a traditional degree program. Which is fine, as long as you're not a VC losing your LP's money on something that anyone who has taught a few times know won't scale :)