The Disadvantages of an Elite Education- a different POV
started by Maria S 4 mnths agoFlat
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Pravalika Nanda posted Re:The Disadvantages of an Elite Education- a different POV on 4 mnths agoOh no, more sociologists!
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My education taught me to believe that people who didn’t go to an Ivy League or equivalent school weren’t worth talking to, regardless of their class. I was given the unmistakable message that such people were beneath me. We were “the best and the brightest,” as these places love to say, and everyone else was, well, something else: less good, less bright. I learned to give that little nod of understanding, that slightly sympathetic “Oh,” when people told me they went to a less prestigious college. (If I’d gone to Harvard, I would have learned to say “in Boston” when I was asked where I went to school—the Cambridge version of noblesse oblige.) I never learned that there are smart people who don’t go to elite colleges, often precisely for reasons of class. I never learned that there are smart people who don’t go to college at all.
An elite education not only ushers you into the upper classes; it trains you for the life you will lead once you get there. I didn’t understand this until I began comparing my experience, and even more, my students’ experience, with the experience of a friend of mine who went to Cleveland State. There are due dates and attendance requirements at places like Yale, but no one takes them very seriously. Extensions are available for the asking; threats to deduct credit for missed classes are rarely, if ever, carried out. In other words, students at places like Yale get an endless string of second chances. Not so at places like Cleveland State. My friend once got a D in a class in which she’d been running an A because she was coming off a waitressing shift and had to hand in her term paper an hour late.
An elite education not only ushers you into the upper classes; it trains you for the life you will lead once you get there. I didn’t understand this until I began comparing my experience, and even more, my students’ experience, with the experience of a friend of mine who went to Cleveland State. There are due dates and attendance requirements at places like Yale, but no one takes them very seriously. Extensions are available for the asking; threats to deduct credit for missed classes are rarely, if ever, carried out. In other words, students at places like Yale get an endless string of second chances. Not so at places like Cleveland State. My friend once got a D in a class in which she’d been running an A because she was coming off a waitressing shift and had to hand in her term paper an hour late.
"The first disadvantage of an elite education, as I learned in my kitchen that day, is that it makes you incapable of talking to people who aren’t like you. "
This is what caught my eye. Interacting with our own kind. We are always on the look out for the ones with similar beliefs and life styles, personalities.
This is what caught my eye. Interacting with our own kind. We are always on the look out for the ones with similar beliefs and life styles, personalities.
I think the writer is accusing educational institutions for failing to impart education itself. Thus what one gets is a false sense of superiority in the name of education. And, imo, it plays havoc on jerks with fragile egos.
' In short, the way students are treated in college trains them for the social position they will occupy once they get out.
If one of the disadvantages of an elite education is the temptation it offers to mediocrity, another is the temptation it offers to security. When parents explain why they work so hard to give their children the best possible education, they invariably say it is because of the opportunities it opens up. But what of the opportunities it shuts down?
.... opportunity to do work you believe in, work you’re suited for, work you love, every day of your life?"
What elite education does not educate is that simple smartness that is necessary to life a motivated life.
wah yaar. kya likhti ho aap. instant arousal, srsly.
Just let it go, Bittu. There's no scope of action for you.
did I ever suggest that I hope for action from you? Not a chance. But that doesn't mean I can't express myself. I mean, that's what CH is all about, aint it? People expressing themselves day after day? So yeah, freedom of speech, thoughts and fantasy. You make me *hot* and that's that. Can't do much about it.
until things start to go wrong whether you interact with your own kind or a different kind.
until things start to go wrong whether you interact with your own kind or a different kind.
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Or one is missing out on a lot...when they don't interact with the ones with different beliefs, lifestyles and personalities!
The article (imo), emphasizes "closed environments/programming mindsets of superiority"...and lack of exposure/life experiences to other ways of life..."real people".
*I don't want to stereotype people in these Insts either...but, for those who feel that they are "so superior compared to...let us say a "State Univ"...may be it good to see the disadvantages/not just the advantages.
M
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Or one is missing out on a lot...when they don't interact with the ones with different beliefs, lifestyles and personalities!
The article (imo), emphasizes "closed environments/programming mindsets of superiority"...and lack of exposure/life experiences to other ways of life..."real people".
*I don't want to stereotype people in these Insts either...but, for those who feel that they are "so superior compared to...let us say a "State Univ"...may be it good to see the disadvantages/not just the advantages.
M
The writer is mistaken in blaming this on higher education. The inability to connect is more a function of class and background differences than education.
If anything, higher education and the critical thinking it engenders allows one to be open to other POVs even if one does not necessarily agree with them. Try articulating the Iraqi POV, for instance, to that handyman after he's chugged a couple of Buds - chances are he'll punch the other person in the nose for being an unpatriotic SOB who deserves to be shot for treason.
If anything, higher education and the critical thinking it engenders allows one to be open to other POVs even if one does not necessarily agree with them. Try articulating the Iraqi POV, for instance, to that handyman after he's chugged a couple of Buds - chances are he'll punch the other person in the nose for being an unpatriotic SOB who deserves to be shot for treason.
Agreed inability to connect is more than a refelection of your education per se.
Having said that it is true that there are multiple forms of intelligence. The mere fact that one has been received an elite education does not simply mean intellectual superiority. it does however tells something about how one was brought up For e.g, how forceful the parental pressure was to ensure that one passed all your tests on the top right from the KG level. It is an indication of how well tuned one has been to take these tests right from the early days of one's life...
"The writer is mistaken in blaming this on higher education. The inability to connect is more a function of class and background differences than education. "
i was thinking the same for the comment made by sheer satin but refrained from saying anything cause i cannot really access the article. education has nothing to do with how one interacts with people. but it[elite education] does tend to give a sense of false pride to some which may inadvertently[or not] contribute to restrictive [class based perhaps]communication
i was thinking the same for the comment made by sheer satin but refrained from saying anything cause i cannot really access the article. education has nothing to do with how one interacts with people. but it[elite education] does tend to give a sense of false pride to some which may inadvertently[or not] contribute to restrictive [class based perhaps]communication
Try articulating the Iraqi POV, for instance, to that handyman after he's chugged a couple of Buds - chances are he'll punch the other person in the nose for being an unpatriotic SOB who deserves to be shot for treason.
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I doubt that....that seems to be stereotype of "handymen" too.
Of course...there is no telling what anyone will do...when they chug a couple of Buds!
Even simply "staring at someone" can lead to some blows (know a few times that has happened between some highly educated folks:)
M
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I doubt that....that seems to be stereotype of "handymen" too.
Of course...there is no telling what anyone will do...when they chug a couple of Buds!
Even simply "staring at someone" can lead to some blows (know a few times that has happened between some highly educated folks:)
M
>> I doubt that....that seems to be stereotype of "handymen" too.
Eggjactly. This whole thing is an exercise in stereotyping anyway. Based on a selection set consisting of just himself and a few Ivy League buddies, the writer claims all Ivy Leaguers suffer the same inadequacy at small talk (amongst other inadequacies) that he does. So why not the other end of the spectrum?
Eggjactly. This whole thing is an exercise in stereotyping anyway. Based on a selection set consisting of just himself and a few Ivy League buddies, the writer claims all Ivy Leaguers suffer the same inadequacy at small talk (amongst other inadequacies) that he does. So why not the other end of the spectrum?
Totally agree with you Maria.
The packaging and selling of the less fortunate classes for the few laughs generated through sitcoms and hollywood comedy would be funny if it were not for the insidiousness with which the ivy leaguers pursue their neo-connistic agendas.
what the hell does neo-connistic mean?
oh, it is something that the insidiousness people eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am angst or something to that effect. HTH.
that makes no sense. If you don't know don't answer.
well, that is my reply to people who do not google before asking koschens. hope this helps.
What makes one think that if you go and interact with the less fortunate they will acknowledge your views with open arms, unless you become one of them equivalently sharing their thoughts, actions and beliefs. Don't u think the vice versa case is also there.
Example from Indian cinema:
Orthodox brahmin girl falls in love with muslim hero. He tries to win over the hearts and minds of other family members of the girl. Everyone is against the idea...except the girl's grandmother pushing 80 who takes a surprisingly modern view and encourages the romance.
Same difference. Those you think who have lesser class or education are very aware of their own limitations as opposed to those elitist brats who grew up playing wii and acing tests with their entitlement approach to life.
Orthodox brahmin girl falls in love with muslim hero. He tries to win over the hearts and minds of other family members of the girl. Everyone is against the idea...except the girl's grandmother pushing 80 who takes a surprisingly modern view and encourages the romance.
Same difference. Those you think who have lesser class or education are very aware of their own limitations as opposed to those elitist brats who grew up playing wii and acing tests with their entitlement approach to life.
everyone is elite in their own turf and space. A man may be a clerk in office but he is the boss of his house. You cannot strike in is house, he has no limitations there... he will be that elitist brat in his house, wheras he may be meek as a mouse outside.
Roles change along with situations and the roles that they play. Limitations come into context with regards to roles and situations
Roles change along with situations and the roles that they play. Limitations come into context with regards to roles and situations
What makes one think that if you go and interact with the less fortunate they will acknowledge your views with open arms, unless you become one of them equivalently sharing their thoughts, actions and beliefs.
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Sure, that is possible!
I suppose the point is...elite education alone does not lead to "better understanding, behaviors
behaviors, better anything (except perhaps for some technical skills).
M
__________
Sure, that is possible!
I suppose the point is...elite education alone does not lead to "better understanding, behaviors
behaviors, better anything (except perhaps for some technical skills).
M
Perfectly captures my angst in words. We are heading towards Gattaca!
the who did what to you? angst? gattaca? good lord, tis thursday. what is your excuse?
He reports a perfect 800 in sat II physics and a 98 overall average. shouldn't i worry?
see, i cannot really access the link from work. so i have no cluse as to what u are talking about. don't mind me. i get on people's nerves very easily. sawwy.