Is there a US "Lost Generation" who Cannot Afford A Globally Competitive Education?

[Baobab]

In the sciences.. Meaning what it takes to get a good job, which often involves at least several years of grad school, one or two advanced degrees.. postdocs, publishing papers, etc.

And even then, many don't make it. It seems the only way to address this is to do what it takes to make education free, which is the exact opposite of current US policy.

And by saying that I DO NOT MEAN globalizing academis such that millions of CURRENT would be academics lose their jobs or can never get hired.. Maybe that superficially seems like a 'solution' but it will eliminate the incentive to attempt to get that far, the current path will likely have the opposite effect that they claim to want, further reducing the number of students getting the education they would need.

[elleng]

1. I'm afraid it may be my grandchildren,

babies now. Their parents, my kids have been educated, including grad school. I'm very concerned.

[Baobab]

2. We have to get used to the idea of education for its own sake and not merely to train worker bees to

work in the factories of industry, because not so far into the future, most people may never work, unless they literally become the best in the world at what they do.

We will have a planet of really good amateurs.. who do professional level work, for their own inner satisfaction, not money.

[elleng]

3. That's fine with ME,

but still causes concern about my grands. They are developing their own 'likes.'

[Baobab]

4. Its a big challenge for humanity.

Perhaps the biggest ever.

[Baobab]

5. people will have to like what they do, because if they don't there wont be even the smallest chance

of them becoming as adept at it as they will need to become to be paid to do it.

Money wont be able to do it, nor will stress. Even slavery wont be worth it because machines will still be cheaper.

[elleng]

6. Right.

At the moment (they're 5 months old, almost 2 years old, and approaching 3 years old,) so encouraging their 'likes' in hands-on stuff, gardening/farming, and building. Hope these 'likes' help them grow and thrive.