What is the biggest scam?

[Oblivian]

It’s a scam because it is push as a one size fits all by everyone in it and by society and media in general. This can be further observed by the fact some jobs ask those applying have a degree, but don’t care about what area. Of course people’s success will vary in life, but that variance isn’t an excuse to prop up a system that regularly churns out a majority of the graduating class NOT being employed in their area of study years after graduating. Those are the statistics now for many a degree. In any case, I can say 50 years ago the prevalence of degrees was not what it was today, and yet society still functioned.
University’s are creating more and more areas of study that do not have any direct real world equivalent. That is a scam, buddy. And they know they are doing.

Accounting requires a cpa, right? So they require you to get like a next level of authentication of your abilities to practice the right methods in your area. Something like that. If more jobs that demanded a piece of paper had stuff like that…where you get tested on all that learned, I’d agree it ain’t a scam.

I don't think many understand that a college operates like most businesses. They are trying to generate as much incoming money as possible to keep the machine going. This involves sales, marketing, etc. which involves luring in "customers" even if it won't truly benefit them. You then factor in government student loans which throw off the whole supply and demand curve further. I mean it's obviously beneficial to a lot of people, but it really needs evaluated in this day and age.

 

[M4rk]

Some guy called Kevin said it once, the biggest scam is dry land

 

[shunyata]

Life insurance for kids.

Unless your kid is a primary source of income for the family they don't need a life insurance policy.

 

[bortt]

The lottery also comes to mind. While gambling and casinos are illegal, somehow it's cool for the state to sucker the poor and desperate into routinely paying up to play with the worst odds imaginable.

 

[mixmastermo]

It’s a scam because it is push as a one size fits all by everyone in it and by society and media in general. This can be further observed by the fact some jobs ask those applying have a degree, but don’t care about what area. Of course people’s success will vary in life, but that variance isn’t an excuse to prop up a system that regularly churns out a majority of the graduating class NOT being employed in their area of study years after graduating. Those are the statistics now for many a degree. In any case, I can say 50 years ago the prevalence of degrees was not what it was today, and yet society still functioned.
University’s are creating more and more areas of study that do not have any direct real world equivalent. That is a scam, buddy. And they know they are doing.

Accounting requires a cpa, right? So they require you to get like a next level of authentication of your abilities to practice the right methods in your area. Something like that. If more jobs that demanded a piece of paper had stuff like that…where you get tested on all that learned, I’d agree it ain’t a scam.

I can say I agree with the bolded. I just have an issue with people saying that in general it is a scam, when it actually does work for those who are truly passionate about their areas of study and find a pathway to a career.

The same way it always has: intelligent and talented individuals. College doesn’t create those.

Like this very broad statement. Yes, college doesn't create intelligent and talented individuals, but it does give them the tools and the access to a larger community they can contribute to and learn from. No one is an island. The highly intelligent tend to be very lonely individuals, so just the fact they can be part of a community that they can bounce ideas off of helps the collective community and society as a whole.

 

[Misanthropist]

5 meal a day is bullshit. Amazing how many gullible people are told you must eat cereals and muffins for breakfast because it's the most important meal of the day lmao.

 

[Ichibanner]

College education.

Sell kids on degrees whose income potential is a fraction of the debt incurred. Offer little to no job placement. Foster a hivemind mentality on campus creating intolerant young adults.