This guy is definitely a good writer. I wonder if I can use him to write cliche startup blog posts so I can focus on actually coding. If the cost is low enough for a student, then it's low enough for a startup.

Discussed here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1901152

Has anybody ever considered that despite all the emphasis society puts on people going to college, some people just aren't cut out for higher education? Nothing against them, it just seems like when you introduce the masses to something that is about separating yourself intellectually from the pack, the results are less than inspiring. A good number of people graduating these days get no practical benefit from going to college.

Seems that this guy has mastered what I call 'going into hyperdrive'

It's a phrase I always half jokingly tossed about in my mind when I knew I was behind on my academic deadlines. It's the idea that you can reach the theoretical maximum work rate for a sustained period. Put aside leisure time and sleep and just crank out the assignments, surviving on Doritos. Don't stop to edit, refine, just keep blasting through.

Of course it never quite works out, partly because I get distracted too easily, and partly because I hate composing something that represents less than my best. But looks like this guy really does pass the hyperdrive threshold and doesn't stop.

The back-and-forth potshots that faculty members take at each other in the Chronicles comments are even more insightful than the original article. The Chronicle moderators had to go so far as to delete follow-up comments. That's... eye opening.

I can't help feeling this guy is incredibly talented. $66,000 a year? Making a living with an English composition degree must be fantastically competitive and difficult if thats the best he can do.

Here's a less expensive (i.e., free) ghost writing service for computer science papers, with links to similar projects.

http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/scigen/

I'm not sure which I'm more appalled at, the writer's practice, or the horrid jumble of mutated words the clients (students) attempt to pass for sentences.

When I first started using IM clients, I forced myself to retain proper grammar and punctuation (and spelling!), so that I wouldn't get lazy. I can't say this habit influenced my essay-writing abilities in any way, but at least I can keep my dignity in short emails and text messages.

RU serius?! lol i cnt belive tht colege kids type lik ths

I can't help but think that in some respects this would be an incredibly interesting job because you would always be learning about new subjects. Essentially you would have a college education in numerous fields, though no degree to prove it.

In the long run though practical skill matters more than a certificate, so the true writer of these papers is the one who wins.

A fascinating inside look but the guy is far too quick to excuse his leading role in what is unquestionably an unethical enterprise. Drug dealers, too, say they're just fulfilling a demand that someone is going to fulfill ... and they show equal contempt for their customers.