Ladders Go Both Ways

[covertbriar]

It is almost universally acknowledged that "education is good." More education, says society, will lead to a happier, more prosperous world. Educate everyone, says society.

I agree, of course.

And yet, paradoxically, we are so attached to the notion that education --- college, in my case, grad school or high school for others --- is a means to distinguish oneself from one's peers. A degree, we argue, makes us stand out in both the workplace and in society. The more competitive the institution, the more valuable the degree.

Less enthusiastically, I agree with this as well: reality forces me to concede the point. Why else would college admissions be so competitive? Why else would classes be graded on curves? Why else would we even have grades in the first place? As disturbed as I am by it, society cares very much about my academic performance, especially in relation to others.

And therein lies the rub. Reader, are these not contradictory notions? If the purpose of an education for an individual is to separate him or her from the general populace, then what follows is the absurd notion that universal education is self-defeating: that the more people we educate, the less an education is worth to the individual.

More at Ladders Go Both Ways

 

[zhihau]

Education is pretty much the accumulation and transfer of knowledge- with an iota of hope that through the process of education, the individual learns how to learn, develops wisdom and readily contributes to posterity.

The society on the other hand manipulates the education system as a tool, for better or for worse, and creates a situation akin to that of emergent complexity.

 

[tanwahtiu]

Long term Education is to keep unemployment figures low.

With a score of 60% A level can get to into uni end up with nonsense qualification keep many unemployed stay unemployed longer.

 

[covertbriar]

Education is pretty much the accumulation and transfer of knowledge- with an iota of hope that through the process of education, the individual learns how to learn, develops wisdom and readily contributes to posterity.

The society on the other hand manipulates the education system as a tool, for better or for worse, and creates a situation akin to that of emergent complexity.

I can hardly understand this bit.

 

[KNNBPCB]

Ladders go both ways. Escalators go one way. :p

 

[zhihau]

I can hardly understand this bit.

the ladder goes both ways