The nation's top colleges are turning our kids into zombies.
I've mentored a few Ivy league students over the years. I think they are as diverse as any other group. That is, some are really smart, thoughtful individuals, and some are robots who do as they're told at all costs. I will say that I agree with the author that everyone should take a turn in the service sector. I worked in restaurants through high school and early college. It was a great experience, and it's helped me tremendously in my professional life. There's no experience like human experience. I try to instill that in the kids that come though my lab, but there's really no good way to impart wisdom like that. Anyway I don't know what it's like to be an Ivy League bound 18 year old, so my experience only goes so far, as well. In the end, I'm happy I did drugs, stayed out late, and chased girls through high school. I'll take that over some bullshit patronizing volunteer work 100% of the time. And if I have kids one day, they'll be free to do what they want, but if they want gas for the car, they better have a paycheck. Even if I have a million bucks in the bank, there's not a snowball's chance in hell I'm spoon feeding them. Kids gotta learn.
This article hits home, pretty hard. I wouldn't say that I went to a university that is on the same level as the Ivy League, but I have no idea what the level there is. I know that I haven't been taught to think, but taught to function. My studies were unflexible 5.5 years that should prepare us to the work we are going to do. The patterns were similar, "If this happens, then do this", all the time. And that is how I feel too. We were 50 students, all A+ students, put into one semester and pushed through our classes. There were brilliant minds, creative people, weird and interesting people. But did we benefit from the "diversity" in class? never. Most of the people studied for themselves. Discussions didn't happen, questions were never asked (most of the people were worried that their questions were "stupid"). And so we just went on and on, working to fit the system. Some continued in the system, not thinking much about what comes next, simply doing what was expected of them (my semester -> start a PhD right away or join a company). Internships abroad were done for the CV. Good publishing labs were favored (maybe I will publish too?!) it is sad. I feel confused without any sense of orientation. I feel like contacting MAPS and ask them if they have any use for a life scientist that is fascinated by psychedelic drugs. But what will my parents say?colleges are producing a large number of very smart, completely confused graduates. Kids who have ample mental horsepower, an incredible work ethic and no idea what to do next
As Gibby Haynes said, "it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't." What your parents will say, what anyone else says, should not matter. If you are driven to a positive action, then it is best to act. You weren't born to please your parents: you were born to live, live mightily, and teach what you learn. That site is blocked by my corporate VPN. It ought therefore be interesting. The chase is on...
Nobody should abandon their genuine desires or ambitions just because somebody says so, but they ought to consider many points of view prior to making a large life decision. That's just common sense and whether or not you realize it, for most people the ones that will care the most about you for the majority of your life are your parents. Not all parents are bastions of wisdom, but not all are stifling control freaks either. It's good to have an openness to advice IMO, especially from those that know you best.What your parents will say, what anyone else says, should not matter.
I think this is dangerous advice. Often, the people in our lives that provide feedback do so from a genuine and well informed perspective. This should matter.
The first time I took a decision that my family (particularly my father) didn't like was when I chose to go for life sciences instead of med school. I simply didn't want to be a doctor, I wanted to know what happens behind the curtains, get good education in that direction without dealing with patients. My father avoided talking to me for a year. Until he watched a documentary about stem cells, then he called me up. To the day, he tells people that I study medicine. My parents tend to advice me to go for the things that bring me the most money. They went for what they wanted and they are middle class. Sometimes I think that they wish it went different and they became upper class (like some friends that went for med school). But why? I don't see the other families more happy than we are... I think my parents would see it as a waste of time and a step in the wrong direction if I go work for MAPS. The stigma associated with psychedelics and their fear that I would destroy my life is too much for them (specially my father, what will he tell the people??)
As I mentioned above, I apologize for providing potentially harmful advice. After reading about your parents and how they reacted to your decision about a simple college major, I feel chagrined. It sounds like you are still young enough to be in the shadow of your parents. You aren't asking, "what do the folks back home think?" You're asking, "will I be excommunicated again and possibly be cut off from any funding?" I haven't lived at home in nearly 15 years. I can't even get my parents to visit me, and they're retired. In contrast, you have a heavy load and it doesn't seem like I can help carry it.
Gibby Haynes respected what his dad said and did. If you can't even take the time to listen to your elders and your parents how will you know whom to respect?
I apologize that I did not know more about Cumol and his background. I was coming at my answer from my own experience: that stagnation about a decision is usually avoidance out of fear of success. After reading his reply about his parents and how they reacted to his own decision about a college major, I feel chagrined. There is a heavy load here and it doesn't seem like I will be helpful.
If anyone is interested in the three rebuttals that were written in response : http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118869/william-deresiewicz-ivy-league-essay-ignores-financial-aid-students http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118879/new-republics-ivy-league-criticism-attack-meritocracy-itself http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118848/new-republics-ivy-league-takedown-destructive-high-schoolers
Also the writer of Don't Send Your Kid wrote another rebutall in response the above three
which is here:
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119090/response-new-republics-ivy-league-takedown-proves-my-point