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>It's not that I don't learn every single day now, because I do and I love that. But I can't focus single-mindedly on learning stuff because it's either cool or

>It's not that I don't learn every single day now, because I do and I love that. But I can't focus single-mindedly on learning stuff because it's either cool or a stepping stone to learning cool stuff. That's what I miss. Again, this is the "Information Age", dedicated knowledge acquisition no longer requires college. For many, traditional academia is not the most efficient means of learning anyway. Compare and contrast RIAA/MPAA & Music/Movies with College/University & intellectualism and learning. When the former criticizes the anti-SOPA movement, we laugh and shake our heads at their absurd cries. When the later criticizes "anti-intellectualism" (which really means anti-academia), many respond as desired, by shaking their heads at the image of ignorant peasants at the gates of intellectualism with pitch forks and torches. In both cases we have old, established, and powerful institutions trying to maintain their power. While one is starting to succumb (or perhaps adapt) to a changing and innovating market, the other continues to further entrench itself while raising its prices ever skyward. It is an interesting comparison to consider. I'll end with a pertinent quote. "Never let formal education get in the way of your learning." -Mark Twain

kylemaxwell 15y ago
But even in this age, when you can learn so much by just going to your preferred search engine and typing "learn $topic", you still can't focus exclusively on that when you also have to focus on your job, etc. University gives you a few years to do that.
- snth 15y ago
  I think people remember college through rose-colored glasses---as if college is where you do whatever you want and learn whatever you want for a few years. If you're degree-seeking, and you are pursuing a decently difficult degree like Computer Science or Engineering at a competitive college, most of your courses will be planned out for you. You may have a few "electives", but they'd better not take too much time away from your required classes. Now if you're independently wealthy and a non-degree-seeker, you really could learn whatever you wanted at whatever rate was most optimal. That's not the usual college experience. That does seem closer to a "college subscription" though.
kenjackson 15y ago
College is important for several reasons, although I think one purpose it serves is probably the one most here despise the most -- credentialing. I honestly don't think you can ever escape the need for credentials. It's simply a shortcut to help filter a vast pool of people. Even YC itself is a credential (ask those VCs who will "no questions asked" fund YC companies). While you should continue to learn things in life, the ability to get a credential will always also be valued (working at Facebook, or being part of YC, or doing design under Jon Ives, etc...). At least until someone creates a brain app that can simply scan your brain to determine what you know. I'd argue that college's biggest problems are (1) the credential isn't as valued as it could be due to lack of rigor. And (2) it's cost. But fundamentally the institution isn't deeply flawed, like say music distribution is.

kylemaxwell 15y ago

But even in this age, when you can learn so much by just going to your preferred search engine and typing "learn $topic", you still can't focus exclusively on that when you also have to focus on your job, etc. University gives you a few years to do that.

snth 15y ago
I think people remember college through rose-colored glasses---as if college is where you do whatever you want and learn whatever you want for a few years. If you're degree-seeking, and you are pursuing a decently difficult degree like Computer Science or Engineering at a competitive college, most of your courses will be planned out for you. You may have a few "electives", but they'd better not take too much time away from your required classes. Now if you're independently wealthy and a non-degree-seeker, you really could learn whatever you wanted at whatever rate was most optimal. That's not the usual college experience. That does seem closer to a "college subscription" though.

kenjackson 15y ago

College is important for several reasons, although I think one purpose it serves is probably the one most here despise the most -- credentialing. I honestly don't think you can ever escape the need for credentials. It's simply a shortcut to help filter a vast pool of people. Even YC itself is a credential (ask those VCs who will "no questions asked" fund YC companies). While you should continue to learn things in life, the ability to get a credential will always also be valued (working at Facebook, or being part of YC, or doing design under Jon Ives, etc...). At least until someone creates a brain app that can simply scan your brain to determine what you know. I'd argue that college's biggest problems are (1) the credential isn't as valued as it could be due to lack of rigor. And (2) it's cost. But fundamentally the institution isn't deeply flawed, like say music distribution is.