maramine blog

Greenspun’s review is just a draft right now, but ouch.

This is easily the most fascinating article I’ve read in months.

The idea that higher education is a joke is hardly new. Reading about it from the perspective of the skilled, underprivileged people responsible for the success of the privileged, however, is beyond captivating.

The Shadow Scholar

from The Chronicle of Higher Education

“I’ve written toward a master’s degree in cognitive psychology, a Ph.D. in sociology, and a handful of postgraduate credits in international diplomacy. I’ve worked on bachelor’s degrees in hospitality, business administration, and accounting. I’ve written for courses in history, cinema, labor relations, pharmacology, theology, sports management, maritime security, airline services, sustainability, municipal budgeting, marketing, philosophy, ethics, Eastern religion, postmodern architecture, anthropology, literature, and public administration. I’ve attended three dozen online universities. I’ve completed 12 graduate theses of 50 pages or more. All for someone else.”

“From my experience, three demographic groups seek out my services: the English-as-second-language student; the hopelessly deficient student; and the lazy rich kid. […] While the deficient student will generally not know how to ask for what he wants until he doesn’t get it, the lazy rich student will know exactly what he wants. He is poised for a life of paying others and telling them what to do. Indeed, he is acquiring all the skills he needs to stay on top.”

I could quote it all day… Go read it. Now.

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And if the essay interested you, go here to read the replay of a live chat with the author.

One of these screen captures is Apple’s App Store. The other, is not.

Click the image above to enlarge.