Well said. There are people who are screwed by the system, and there are also people who just screw themselves. I think it's important to hear from the first group, which might help to affect change. The second group should STFU. Yes, these kids are only 18 when they make these decisions. Yes, they're ill informed and vulnerable to much more sophisticated people trying to manipulate them. I'm sure there are many sad stories to tell, but telling them isn't constructive. It only reinforces the stereotype of all student loan defaulters as being irresponsible and overcome with their own sense of entitlement like Lee Siegel. That reduces sympathy, and therefore reduces the likelihood of positive change. The assumption that every story needs to be told doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Some just don't.