2 ms·

> Every property constructed dataset I have seen shows incomes have increased greatly. Sure, but I was talking about Canada, the "most educated nation" accordi

> Every property constructed dataset I have seen shows incomes have increased greatly. Sure, but I was talking about Canada, the "most educated nation" according to the OECD, which, importantly, crossed the 50% attainment threshold a long time ago. The USA only did so recently. In the interest of fairness, it might be too early to see the big jump we're told to expect in the US data. I am a little surprised you reached for it for that reason. If we're not too early, then I am still surprised you reached for said data. The data shows a fairly consistent growth trend over the span of decades, with no instantaneous growth of any substantial amount to account for the point where the degree was obtained. Perhaps you mistakenly linked to the wrong datasets? That said, it is telling that US median income has risen – quite significantly, really – even while the median income did not possess a degree. Which, frankly, echoes that the relationship trying to be painted earlier isn't actually there. While we can try to be fair, you and I both know there won't be a big jump in the median income to account for the US median income finally attaining a degree. The idea that a degree would provide increased earnings doesn't even make sense. What does exist is college filtering mechanisms (entrance requirements, academic rigour, etc.), which have traditionally kept out those who aren't destined to earn much in life, but that, again, doesn't mean attaining a college degree is a cure for what ails them. Indeed, in a given cohort, it is statistically likely that top performers who succeed in everything they do in life will also succeed in college and in the economy in general. But what does that tell us? Don't be born into life problems? Not exactly actionable.

s1artibartfast 2y ago
I was intending to address your statement specifically about lack of real income growth, not any underlying causality with degrees. I brought it up because it is often stated as fact here in the US, and has a large impact on Collective sentiment, but is not reflective of reality. I agree that the topic of education is much more nuanced. There are obvious factors such as the types of degrees, their utilization, and ultimate productivity that need to be taken into account. Less obviously, there are factors like the changing composition of national production it's relative specialization with respect to the global economy. Please make it necessary to evaluate the impact of Education against a counterfactual where education is held constant at a national level. Similarly, I would argue that the education to outcome statistics that are often trotted out are misleading due to uncontrolled confounders and intrinsic differences in the groups that go on to receive various levels of Education. That is to say, there are likely many differences between the average person that gets a post-secondary degree and one who does not complete Primary School besides their educational attainment.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]

s1artibartfast 2y ago

I was intending to address your statement specifically about lack of real income growth, not any underlying causality with degrees. I brought it up because it is often stated as fact here in the US, and has a large impact on Collective sentiment, but is not reflective of reality. I agree that the topic of education is much more nuanced. There are obvious factors such as the types of degrees, their utilization, and ultimate productivity that need to be taken into account. Less obviously, there are factors like the changing composition of national production it's relative specialization with respect to the global economy. Please make it necessary to evaluate the impact of Education against a counterfactual where education is held constant at a national level. Similarly, I would argue that the education to outcome statistics that are often trotted out are misleading due to uncontrolled confounders and intrinsic differences in the groups that go on to receive various levels of Education. That is to say, there are likely many differences between the average person that gets a post-secondary degree and one who does not complete Primary School besides their educational attainment.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]