Re:Peter Thiel on College and Credentialism
by techblueberry on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:37PM
(#45636716)
What is a “good college” though (to Peter Thiel), Peter Thiel is like the originator of the idea that elite credentialism is a negative indicator in modern society. So probably not any of the institutions like Harvard or Penn or Yale that he mentions in this speech.
Re:Peter Thiel on College and Credentialism
by copacopab on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:42PM
(#45636761)
A college where in order to get in you have to show you've been diligent on grades, extracurriculars, and testing for 18 years straight. Ofc exceptions to this, like Trump; but most of the student body of such a college would fit this description. That's a good college.
PT just doesn't like the world that these people ended up creating after being enointed elites, which in parts I agree with.
Re:Peter Thiel on College and Credentialism
by twixfel on Monday October 20, 2025 @07:15AM
(#45642620)
It's putting the cart before the horse. An elite university matters in so far as it may indicate a strong intellect and strong drive. Trump went to an elite university and presumably is a hard worker but has some level of mental disability. There are many such people like that I would assume.
Personally, I find PT's argument sincere that good colleges do measure something important -- even if you disagree with his takes and arguments. I agree with you that his point lost cohesiveness when Bari asked him. He prevaricated -- to a random point on Democrats -- when asked because he didn't want to spell out "Yes, actually, prestige does matter a lot." Something that most, including the hosts of this great blog, agree on tacitly.