The Case Against College (Part 5)

These are three more reasons why young people should not go to college in part five of the case against college.

This is the fifth part of the series where I make the case against college. You can read the first twelve reasons why people should not attend college in the article below. Now, here are three more reasons not to attend college.

You Are Learning From An Academic

First, you are learning from an academic when you go to college. They went on to study more by going to graduate school and later getting a Ph.D. Professors only know and understand the world of abstract knowledge and ideas and are unfamiliar with the real world.

The saying that people often quote about knowledge is incorrect, “Knowledge is power.” No, knowledge is not power. Applied knowledge is power. You must apply what you know to improve your life.

Academics and professors only deal with knowledge. They do not deal with the real world and reality. This is why they write papers they share online that their fellow academics read. You may have to use some of these academic portals for citations for proper research papers if you are in college since other forms of sources are deemed less credible. While it’s true that Wikipedia should never be used as a credible resource, there remains the question of how much credibility many studies by academics who are looking to make themselves look good. Here are three examples of academic studies that have been called into question or found fraudulent.

Workplace Ethics Advice summarizes ten examples of academic fraud that have been done in university research. Vox reports that a top Cornell food researcher’s studies have been retracted and called into question. The New York Post reports that a recent professor at Florida State University left his position after “allegations that he fudged data on racism studies during his 16-year tenure.”

Just because a study has been peer-reviewed or is in a respected academic journal on any topic does not mean that the study's conclusion is true. The funding for the research from a private company, organization, or government could indirectly affect the outcome of a study. The person doing research will not go against the person or organization paying for them to do a study. Put simply, a person doing a study won’t bite the hand that feeds them.

Academics keep their cushy tenured job by writing academic papers that support whatever narrow topic they say they specialize in. Their job is not to teach students a good education.

Internet Displacing Academics (Good Riddance)

Instead of learning from an academic, you can find people with a proven track record in their field of knowledge that sell digital courses. Many of these courses will often cost you less than a college course, and you will often learn practical skills in a topic that interests you. The Internet and digital courses are disrupting the legacy higher education system.

Taught To Respect Authority

Second, you are taught throughout your time in the education and higher education system that you must respect authority. Authority figures include “academics,” “politicians,” so-called “experts” and “gurus” in various public and private fields. If you question any of these people for any reason, you will often receive a negative label like “conspiracy theorist” for simply wanting an answer to a simple question. If anyone in “authority” cannot answer a simple question that others likely have, too, that is a red flag.

You are simply told to go along with something and think a certain way because you read it in a book your professor required you to read in class. Or, your professor said something that sounded smart, so it must be true. Rather than looking for other opinions and arguments against that position, students are taught to blindly trust their professors who they are learning from in class.

Taught Not To Think Critically

Third, the modern higher education system does not teach critical thinking skills. While classical education teaches students critical thinking skills by studying logic, the current higher education system does not do that at all. Higher education aims to prepare students to enter the workforce by giving them the skills to start a career. That is at least how most modern universities market their programs to students.

Most employers want employees who will do what they are told and not think critically. This is precisely why critical thinking is no longer taught in the education system. You are being prepared to become a cog in the machine of society that wants you to work a 9-5 job that you likely will hate and will have a hard time getting by, let alone being able to save or invest for your future.

You could discover ways to go into business for yourself and make money outside the traditional employee model, but you will not learn those skills in the higher education system. First, because you are learning from an academic. Second, that is not the purpose of the education system. Finally, the system wants you to be in debt rather than debt-free since the financial system is debt-based.

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Summary

These are yet more reasons for young people not to go to college. From the fact that you are learning from an academic to that you are never taught critical thinking, the role of higher education is different from what it is marketed to young people. You have a range of better options available today that cost less, teach you practical skills and knowledge, and can help you in whatever you may be interested in.

The last person you want to learn from is a professor.

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Views expressed in this article are the author's opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment, financial, or legal advice. Consult with a financial or legal professional before making investment or legal decisions. James Bollen is the author of Thriving Solo: How to Flourish and Live Your Perfect Life (Without A Soulmate). It is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.