Go onto Google and search for “I never went to college” or some such, and what do you find? You don’t find stories of people like me, someone who was a gifted kid, is a sophisticate, and a performing-artist type with intellectual curiosities but who … Continue readingI Never Went to College…or High School
Why do employers generally require college degrees or high school diplomas to get a job? On one hand, it makes sense: a more knowledgeable man who has demonstrated he can stick with a long-term project is a better employee. On the other hand, it makes … Continue readingThe Puzzle of Credentialism
When looking at the discourse around jobs, careers, and work, one of the most striking aspects is how precious a “stable job”, a “stable career”, and “job security” is to so many people. While those are real advantages, what if the pursuit of career stability … Continue readingThe Siren Song of Job Security
Why aren’t our elites more interesting? It might sound like an odd question to ask, but consider that throughout history aristocrats, elites of old, captains of industry, and those who have “already made it” pursued eccentric and visionary personal projects and passions. The universe of … Continue readingThe Long Night of Elite Imagination