Hacker News Reader

Comment by m_fayer | Hacker News Reader

For those trying to escape poverty, disadvantaged teenagers must choose between debt and the permanent surrender of their hopes and dreams. Hardly a situation where the borrower can be expected to make a dispassionate calculation, nor is it a situation where there's a clearly correct course to be found.

View on HN

Education used to be 'free' here in The Netherlands (certain amount of money each month for students). They recently turned this into a full fledged loan. Although the interest is very low it dramatically changes how students approach studies and immediately start to think in terms of ROI ... I fear for the future of Dutch education. I'm glad I just wrapped up my undergrad and am currently borrowing as well for my Master's but thankfully (I'm one of the few) who have 'great' career prospects.

The American system is really really screwed up if you are trying to escape poverty.

I think in the USA college is too expensive, but I'm not convinced it should be free. I like the idea of students actually having some skin in the game. Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free. You'll get into a situation like Norway, where it takes a master's to get a foot in the door, and no one gets a job until they are 30.

Compared to USA Norway has a very high living standard and an extremely good social care system, USA is ages behind that, really very much behind. Also participation in politics and society is much better organized and more effective than what we see in the pseudo-democratic system that USA represents today.

So free eduction may play a role in producing positive results for the whole society. Also maybe the poets are more important to this than a person from a country where no free education is available can understand.

Please also read about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

> Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free.

In a certain sense you already are, by indirectly bearing the costs of widespread loan defaults. At least the government is in a position to effectively address the overabundance of worthless degrees being issued.

> Also I don't want tax dollars to pay for someone to study poetry for 4 years for free.

I do. Society needs poets.

Take in mind that music industry could not exist without poetry. A successful song with fine lyrics can have a huge impact in the economy.

Imma let you finish, but http://seatsmart.com/blog/lyric-intelligence/

No. Military service is still an option. The education benefits are excellent.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com