this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023
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I think the question to ask is:
"Why would anyone spend the time and money I did to go to school and become an expert of their craft when they can flip burgers for the same pay?"
The obvious answer is "because human's aren't robots, and enjoy pursuing different fields"
And the obvious reply is "I don't care how much you enjoy it, no one wants to spend 6 hours/day at school for 4 years and spend $40k+ without expecting something in return".
You see, in civilized countries, higher education is free :)
It's not free. It's taxpayer-funded.
And the 4 years of their life? Is that free?
It's fine, I don't expect an American to understand this straight away - nor to be smart, to be honest. You see, the taxes of other countries are either lower or effectively the same as in 'murica, but because essential infrastructure isn't being run for-profit, it becomes much cheaper for the government to pay for it, which results in a lower cost for the same results.
Yes. You seem to be under the illusion that time actually represents tangible capital – it doesn't. You'll spend those 4 years alive anyway, right? Then you may freely use it to acquire education. Oh, another grand benefit of living in a civilized country – if you're too poor to sustain your costs of living, be it because a part time job doesn't pay enough or because your family lacks the funds, you can apply to receive free money from the state for the duration of your degree, provided your performance is acceptable.
Ditto.
Yes, that is literally how that works. You've never heard the phrase "time is money"? That's what that means. Money is nothing but a physical (or digital) representation of someone else's time.
LOL what? Did you actually read that before sending it?
"Hey, why not join an internment camp!? After all, you'll be alive for 4 years anyway, right?"
...or you could use it to do things you actually want to do?
God I'm just so jealous that you guys have all this free money falling from the skies. I assume all of your work is completed by a legion of robots in this utopia?
If you live your life by following random aphorisms, be careful not to die in the next few minutes. Just because your monkey brain is hardwired to like certain word orders doesn't make them rational or truthful.
Weird, I know, but in civilized countries, people actually enjoy learning.
No, still regular old capitalistic exploitation - we're just not so stupid as to accepts the horrible conditions you have in the US of A.
What is it exactly that you think money is? Just fancy paper?
No one goes to school for fun except for rich old people. People go to school to get money.
The "horrible conditions" where we don't have our money taken at gunpoint and given to people who contribute nothing to society? Yeah, it's awful. Don't come here. Please don't come here.
Don't worry, I have literally no intention of ever stepping in your shithole country.
That's literally what it is. It's paper we've collectively decided to ascribe value to. Want the simplest proof possible? At any point, the state can decide to print 10x, or 1000x, or 1000000x the total circulating currency.
Now you've regressed... Do I need to start from the beginning?
First, define contribution. Second, you are taxed just as much, as I already explained. Just reveal your true, ugly colors already – you can't stand the idea of social mobility. You want poverty to exist so you can feel better about your sad life.
Wait, have you literally never learned anything 'just for fun'? Like read about an ancient civilization or learned to ski or ride a bike or something?
Riding a bike and skiing definitely hasn't ever helped my employability or level of income... pretty fun though so I'd recommend it.
And yes, people can learn these things inside a school. Although many people also learn them outside of school. But learning is learning.
Sure, but I don't dedicate 12 hours/day for 9 years learning to become a doctor "for fun".
Learning to ride a bike does not contribute anything to anyone but yourself so you're not making a great argument here...
If that were true, billionaires would never die.
It is true. It obviously doesn't make you invincible 🤦. That money doesn't vanish when you die. It just gets redistributed.