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The Cynical Libertarian Society
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The Cynical Libertarian Society
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I know this is hard to believe, but I have to pick on The Mirror again. Even more hard to believe, I am going to agree with something in The Mirror. I will pause while you get up off the floor. I suppose I should have warned you to sit down and hold on to something. So sorry.
I read an editorial in the 17 January 97 edition. Within said editorial Mr. Delander is disappointed because he is not wanted at UNC any longer. The reason? "The reason bureaucracy doesn't want my kind at UNC anymore stems from my major."
UNC was a bit in the red (is a bit in the red?). This is rather surprising considering tuition cost. I really feel sorry for the people who are going to have to pay back those education loans. I know, I have one, and it stinks - back to the subject. In order to secure financial security some of the programs could be cut. I don't claim to be well enough informed as to the extent of the cuts, but according to Mr. Delander "Eleven programs are taking cuts. Anthropology is all but dead and gone."
OK, listen up you, this is how it is. I'm sorry to see any program cut at any college. I wish all colleges could teach every subject in the world, even things like feminist and socialist crap, subjects that I think are sick and stupid. Why? Because I, unlike the people taking those classes, believe in free speech. Also, I would have to find another source of amusement. I don't know for sure what 11 programs are taking these cuts, and I quite like anthropology, I think it's a field very worthy of study. So, if I had my way, if the world were perfect, there would be no cuts to any program.
Oh, what's that? Reality? No, go away, get back! Mr. Delander, soon you will graduate, and reality will set in. Yet, your program is getting cut. Guess what. As your life progresses your wallet will get stolen, your car will get smashed, the woman you love will dump on you, you will lose your job, your friends will stab you in the back, the government will take 51% of your earnings, in short - your life will suck. You will lose. You will lose big. You will lose often.
The title of Mr. Delander's piece is "When universities limit choice, all students suffer". Your choices will be limited all your life, in all matters. There are always limits. I also hate when American, middle class, white kids use words like "suffer". People suffer in Ethiopia. Students suffer in China, they get run over by tanks. You are not suffering. Facing a limited choice, yes. Suffering? No.
Mr. Delander does have one thing correct however. "Is it not enough that my earning potential upon graduation will fall somewhere between poverty and burger flipper?" You got it. Here's a real life example. Me. In 1991 I made $9.15 an hour. Six years later, and a degree, I make $10.00 an hour. Figure inflation, taxes, add in payments on my education loan, you do the math. This is what you have to look forward to.
Then, one month later, to the day, 17 February 1997 issue of The Mirror. Mr. Delander has suddenly made the reality check, he's with the program, he has proven that resistance is not futile and assimilation can be avoided. In large type at the top of his column; "Diplomas and credentials don't equate success". YES YES YES, contact has been made! A bit of advice if I may. Don't drop out in your last semester. Get the stupid piece of paper. Remember, you don't ever have to tell anyone you have it, and having a piece of paper will get you a job. Not a good job, just a job.
There is not a word in Mr. Delander's column of 17 February that I can take task with. But I would like to add a few things to it.
If you are relying on your diploma, you are a fool. Paper alone will only take you so far, unless you are working for idiots (corporate america, government or the education system). In any venture that is truly competitive you will crash and burn. Quickly.
Get your diploma in something that people get paid for. I knew a person back in Houston who had a Ph.D. in, get ready for this, 16th century British history. No joke. His earning potential is what? That's right, zero.
Yes there are many people out there with degrees who are on top of the world, but there are more with the very same degrees who are at the bottom. So the degree isn't the determining factor. Then what is? The person. Your frame of mind, your resources, your (Tony Robbins Infomercial lingo) Personal Power(TM) (ok Tony, that will be $55.00 for the plug). When it comes down to it, you're gonna be what you want to be, with or without a degree.