You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. I concede the "zero-sum" point, thanks for taking the time to discuss it. That's said, I still

You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. I concede the "zero-sum" point, thanks for taking the time to discuss it. That's said, I still feel there is room to discuss which outcome we are trying to optimize for when we discuss the cost benefit of education and how to allocate those resources. Is the goal profit for employers, well adjusted complete cotizens who understand the world they live in, or something else? I do suspect that our current attempts to laser focus on the skills most valuable to employers are short sighted, and frankly might be damaging society almost as much as the utter failure of primary education. That is why I mentioned the illiteracy issue before. If only a minority can read well, and we are trying to "optimize" the learning outcomes of the remaining smaller percentage of competent students, we leave only a tiny percentage of well rounded and capable thinkers.