The long predicted college collapse might finally be arriving.
-Fewer 18 yos
-Fewer people see college as necessary, particularly men
The College Thread
Re: The College Thread
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
Ah, the financial crisis overhang. Our first was born 2007, college very competitive. Our second, late 2010, in the mini-baby bust. The baby bust kept going though, it's all downhill until at least 2020.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Re: The College Thread
College tuition has gone up 914% since 1983.
Meanwhile, we started the big lie that "everyone must go to college".
Meanwhile, we started the big lie that "everyone must go to college".
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
College needs to go back to 100% in person, at least for testing. Although, I do think Charles Darwin would have something to say about people going into massive debt for an education only to intentionally avoid learning anything.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
When I was in high school, my AP Calc class had 1/2 take home exams, 1/2 in-person. And yeah, I cheated on the take homes. Mostly by working with others, but sometimes by programming my computer (in 1991/2!) to do calculus and draw the graphs. So yeah, I learned less by cheating, but I learned something far more valuable by programming my computer.
It almost bit me once. I had two friends (a couple) who wanted to look at my work before class, and I said "Sure, but DO NOT COPY #4! It's COMPLETELY wrong!"
They copied it. The teacher then interrogated the couple and me about it. I said I had been studying with them before hand and we discussed how to do problems like that, so that's why we had the wrong thing. I was let off, they got in trouble.
It almost bit me once. I had two friends (a couple) who wanted to look at my work before class, and I said "Sure, but DO NOT COPY #4! It's COMPLETELY wrong!"
They copied it. The teacher then interrogated the couple and me about it. I said I had been studying with them before hand and we discussed how to do problems like that, so that's why we had the wrong thing. I was let off, they got in trouble.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Re: The College Thread
Different from today when they just open an app and type in the questions. You get a pass because you had to learn to create something to get to your goal. Why you didn't just spend that time learning the Calc...TheCatt wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:15 am When I was in high school, my AP Calc class had 1/2 take home exams, 1/2 in-person. And yeah, I cheated on the take homes. Mostly by working with others, but sometimes by programming my computer (in 1991/2!) to do calculus and draw the graphs. So yeah, I learned less by cheating, but I learned something far more valuable by programming my computer.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
I'd say that life turned out a lot better from me learning to program my computer to do calc, than programming my brain to do calc. But yes, very different today.Leisher wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:19 am Different from today when they just open an app and type in the questions. You get a pass because you had to learn to create something to get to your goal. Why you didn't just spend that time learning the Calc...
Honestly, I spent way more time getting my PC to do it than if I had got myself to do it, I bet. But it reminds me of this:
It's not me, it's someone else.
Re: The College Thread
That graph is true.
It's honestly the biggest danger of AI. Innovation comes from us doing the work. AI is absolutely going to assist some people progress, but I fear a growing majority are going to be left behind.
It's honestly the biggest danger of AI. Innovation comes from us doing the work. AI is absolutely going to assist some people progress, but I fear a growing majority are going to be left behind.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Re: The College Thread
I'm more disturbed by the polarized House/Senate, since that impacts my life a lot more. Like why no middles?
It's not me, it's someone else.
Re: The College Thread
TheCatt wrote: Thu Jul 16, 2026 11:11 am I'm more disturbed by the polarized House/Senate, since that impacts my life a lot more. Like why no middles?
A fair concern and a great question.
Somewhere along the way, as a country, we lost our ability to find common ground and we need to get that skill back.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell