Education is a scam. Refute me...?

Question

As this generation unfolds, I seem to become more convinced that attaining a college education is a scam; I now believe that conformity has become the real secret to success in modern America. Acting like myself and doing things the way I want to do them has always lead to failure and the same thing seems to happen in education and society. Think about it: when have you ever used history, physics, biology, or chemistry in a real life situation?

Steven Spieldberg received his degree in movies at cal state long beach five years ago; Bill Gates was a harvard drop out; I know a guy who has a masters in philosophy but is currently working in a book store; 75% of people don't even finish college. Whats the deal?

Education is a big scam; an investment that they want YOU to believe will get you more money in the future. Try your best to prove me wrong...

Actually, I just realized something: it all depends on what YOU want to do; if you want to become a doctor, then you pretty much have to go to medical school. The same goes for research and what not...

But the point I was trying to make is: the education system is much too overrated

ladedadedaoo, idk if your still going to read this:

we can all teach ourselves how to better each other. In my English 100H class, we pretty much had to buy all the books and read them, discussing them in class. So why exactly do we need to take that class for? My english teacher taught himself to write better when his high school english teacher kept praising him and never spoke of his faults. He glued himself to a dictionary and thesaurus at all times. My physics textbook does a great job teaching physics but like my phys teacher says, "the book does a great job teaching the material, but you come to class to learn how I WANT EVERYTHING TO BE WHEN YOU SOLVE A TEST PROBLEM." Again, conformity.

Through dedication and desire, we can do anything we like. Frederick Douglas, one of the most famous slaves back in the day, taught himself to read AND write.

Answer 1

Can't refute you. That's how I feel exactly. I think the problem is not in education itself, but in our society values for a college degree. It's no longer a degree to better your career and make something out of your lives, (although for many self motivated individuals, it still is). It is now touted as an experience to have after high school. Just like you should have experience of going to high school prom, you should have college experience of being away from home (and partying your parents' savings away). It is an American dream, and the middle class trying to provide their kids with what used to only be available for the elites.
What most people don't see is the ridiculousness of saving for your kids' college fund since the day they're born, and then they'll go and study something like English (if they're not gonna be a journalist or novelist) or history (and not going to be a professor) and then going out to work at a bookstore for the exact same amount of money a high school drop out can get. Was that investment worth it? We're only delaying the adolescent years in kids by doing that, not educating them to have good careers.

This is also the reason why jobs with technical skills like plumbing and locksmith costs so much, because people don't want to say that my kids are gonna grow up to be plumbers, or locksmiths. NO, my kids are gonna be doctors, engineers, lawyers, when it's completely unrealistic to their ambitions. Or on the flip side, no pressure whatsover on what they want to study, even when they have no idea what that is and are just wasting money on taking random classes.

Answer 2

Spielberg and Gates were both college drop-outs along with Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Michael Dell, David Geffen, Ted Turner and quite a few others.
If you can prove yourself to be more succesful than they are than you have proven a point. All of those people had big ideas and the drive to get them implemented. They are also considered geniuses.
I use chemistry and algebra every day in my job. Since I work with dangerous chemicals you would probably feel better that I have a degree in chemistry.
There are many non-technical fields and careers that require degrees that I think are nonsense. Marketing degrees create glorified sales people. Quite a few non-technical companies now require their secretaries to have college degrees.
Philosophy degrees have always been a bad choice. Having deep thoughts is a wonderful thing, but you shouldn't base your livelihood on them.

Answer 3

Well, first of all, both Spielberg and Gates went to college right after high school, but left because their careers had grown to a point where they had to make a choice. Spielberg apparently recognized the value of education himself; he tried several times to get into USC's film school, but wasn't accepted. It's nice that they were so successful, but they are not representative of most non-graduates. And sure, there are some college graduates who don't make much of their lives, but most of those who want to get ahead do so. You can't judge a phenomenon by a few exceptions.

Obviously, there are some things one can do without a college education, but there are many things one cannot. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't trust a bridge built by an engineer who didn't go to college. I wouldn't want a dentist drilling my teeth who hadn't spent years learning how to do that. I wouldn't trust my money to an accountant who hadn't gone to college.

Furthermore, there is a lot to learn in today's world, and high school just doesn't cut it any more. Most people aren't disciplined enough to educate themselves, so a university at least helps them keep learning and hopefully teaches them how to keep up.

My big question would be, who are these "they" who are scamming people? I've seen several studies that showed that over the course of a lifetime, the average college graduate makes about $1 million more than someone who didn't graduate. But college isn't all about money. Being educated gives you more options, opens up the world of knowledge, and helps you think of things in new ways. I do know that there are a few self-taught people out there who have this as much as do college graduates, but they are those who embrace education in another form, not those who reject education.

Answer 4

no sir. education is not a scam. you pay for college because being able to go to college and learn the things you do there is a great gift. a gift of intelligence. and you realize certainly that a person who has a college education can never be in a worse place than a person who doesnt. you are more educated, you have studied.

college is not direct job preparation, anyone who thinks of it that way is misguided, college is to open up your mind, its the best time in a person's life. of course it costs money if it gives you all that.

Answer 5

although there are many people with their beyond believe fairy tale in reality you need somewhat of an education. i agree with your statement because there are so many jobs out there where it is ridiculous to need a degree. its just common sense and acquiring experience throughout that job or career but society runs on a bunch of rules that deal with the majority rule. that ultimately leads to conforming or else you can't go with the flow type of idea. education isn't completely a scam otherwise how would you learn how to read and write and function in society. no you cannot learn it on your own, because education is acquired through experience. college is simply a way of fulfilling that comfort you are part of society and the "right path".

on the other note the education system isn't completely innocent. people do spend thousands to get that "i go to USC" title, but they also worked hard to get into the school. why go to schools-because it gives you security that you aren't completely screwing up your life when you're fresh out of high school and no where to go. college is that place to search yourself because over half of those people have no idea what they're doing (you aren't alone). that partially explains why people will change their major at least 3- 5 times on average before they graduate.

i believe education itself you need because it gives you knowledge. it is the route you take in pursuing and attaining that form of education. college isn't for everyone- people probably drop out because they simply conformed hoping to find themselves and it wasn't there, or various reasons.

..you probably will make more money with a college degree partially because that is how society sees how to function and succeed in our culture, its not everyday you see a person with a masters working min wage at a fast food resturant.

Answer 6

No Connections Academy is not a scam. They operate pubic charter schools all over the US and recently started a private academy.

Answer 7

You probably going to need to know sciences if you want to move on to applied sciences

Like biology for medicine
Some physics for engineering

However, you can argue that business and liberal arts are highly overrated

Answer 8

You're absolutely right.

I'm a college graduate, and i can't buy my own house.

My brother is a college dropout, and makes a million dollars a month (12 million/year consultancy business.).

Learn to play with other peoples money, and you'll go far. "honest" workers are fools.

Answer 9

Much too agreed, kinda pisses me off how all of these successful business people are richer than all of us based off of scamming people