tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post1790138114630190256..comments2023-05-21T08:15:38.932-04:00Comments on Benjamin Peck's Writings, 2008-2011: DEBT, EDUCATION AND INDENTURED SERVITUDE--AMERICAN STYLEBenjamin Peckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11060411573921973698noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post-33875609486577272752010-01-08T09:44:52.435-05:002010-01-08T09:44:52.435-05:00Thank you for all the comments. Education and deb...Thank you for all the comments. Education and debt are always on my mind, so these issues are very personal to me. <br /><br />When I studied in Berlin in 1999, I used to marvel when students told me that they received university education FOR FREE. They did not start life with debt, and they seemed a lot happier, too. Not only that, but the university system in Germany did not focus on job searching, job fairs or test-taking/ranking. It was much more leisurely, as if the students were happy just to be learning something interesting. They did not compete for grades or stress out about finals.<br /><br />These things struck a chord with me. And it made me realize that the American system is fundamentally different because it values knowledge to the extent that it fosters employment "virtues." Debt, competition for grades, class ranks, evaluations, job-preparation... these things sound like they belong as much in a Wall Street trading hall as they do in an American university classroom. For good reason, too: Because commerce and education are kindred spirits in the United States.Benjamin Peckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11060411573921973698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post-49291232373098391002010-01-08T08:36:22.823-05:002010-01-08T08:36:22.823-05:00Great article!
Unfortunately our educational sy...Great article! <br /><br />Unfortunately our educational system, from the start, is basically to make us good little factory workers. Learn to submit to authority, be on time, do what everyone else does, and learn to put up with boredom and monotony. It's not just college, that's just a continuation of what started at kindergarten. The 'coup de grace' or more like the 'money shot' lol.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post-32945726361923257602010-01-07T22:33:48.071-05:002010-01-07T22:33:48.071-05:00As you said, this education system is meant for pe...As you said, this education system is meant for people who sees education as a way to obtain possessions.<br />I find it very hard to have to start your adult life with debt.<br />I studied history wich is very enriching for the mind, but not very helpful for job search :). Fortunatly for me, it was in a country where education is free, otherwise I don't know how I would have pay my hunger for knowledge.<br />Anyway, the result of your choices is a very good blog that I really enjoy reading, and I am sure that your talent for writing will be rewarded.Angelshairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00701791963203369731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post-1223617968650287712010-01-07T18:11:50.897-05:002010-01-07T18:11:50.897-05:00A person with good character is a rare find today....A person with good character is a rare find today. All the trappings of life matter not without a solid grounding of decent character.Cher Duncombehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00070334939399949702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302058077294515606.post-54216161001246787822010-01-07T13:58:21.436-05:002010-01-07T13:58:21.436-05:00I agree with you. Education should not make people...I agree with you. Education should not make people indentured to their work, but hey, thats the world we live in. Everybody wants to make a dollar. Business and law schools are no different. I read some where that half the people that went to law school regret it. Thats a lot of people, but I do not think they regret the learning, its the financial costs that burden them. Obama promised help to the average middle class student. After world war 2, soldiers went to college for free. We should do something about it, but the new government, just like the old, only says things to get elected and its up to the individual to make things happen.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394626075935041553noreply@blogger.com