"I Told You Something is Coming & Now It's Here..." | Victor Davis Hanson

Summary

In this video, Victor Davis Hanson critiques the current state of higher education, arguing that universities are graduating students with substantial debt and inadequate skills, contributing to a national crisis. He suggests that universities should be more transparent about the costs and outcomes of different majors, and that they should be held accountable for the education they provide. Hanson also touches on the decline in SAT scores and the impact of demographic changes on university admissions, suggesting that the reputation of elite institutions is suffering due to diluted curriculum and grade inflation.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The speaker suggests that ideas from academia often influence the White House, but this can lead to misguided policies in higher education.
• 📚 The current state of higher education is criticized for producing graduates with high debt and insufficient skills, contributing to a national crisis.
• 💰 There is a concern about the unsustainable student debt, which stands at 1.7 trillion dollars, and the role of universities in this issue.
• 📉 The speaker highlights a demographic crisis, with fertility rates dropping from 2.1 to 1.6, affecting societal structures and economic growth.
• 🧑‍🎓 Young people, particularly males, are described as not getting married, buying houses, or having children, which is linked to the failure of universities.
• 📈 The speaker calls for transparency from universities regarding the cost of education, average compensation by major, and the financial implications of student loans.
• 🏫 The speaker questions why universities with large endowments don't take responsibility for student loans and suggests this could improve course relevance and teaching quality.
• 📊 The importance of standardized testing like the SAT is discussed, as a means to ensure academic quality and accountability, which the speaker feels has been lost.
• 🎓 The speaker argues that elite universities are admitting students who are not prepared, leading to a decline in the quality of education and student preparedness.
• 💼 A shift in hiring preferences is noted, with some employers preferring graduates from less prestigious institutions due to better training and less entitlement.
• 🏢 The speaker predicts a revolution in education, with a move towards trade schools and community colleges as people become disillusioned with the elite university system.
• 🗳️ The script ends with a political commentary, suggesting that the upcoming elections are not about personalities but about systemic issues in education and society.

Q & A

What is the main argument Victor Davis Hanson makes about the current state of higher education?

Victor Davis Hanson argues that universities are producing graduates with massive debt and insufficient skills, contributing to a national crisis.

How does Hanson describe the impact of universities on the national debt and societal issues?

Hanson states that universities are culpable for the 1.7 trillion in national debt and societal issues such as a declining fertility rate and a generation that is not getting married, buying houses, or having children.

What is the 'myth of the four-year degree' that Hanson refers to?

The 'myth of the four-year degree' refers to the belief that a four-year college education is necessary for success, which Hanson suggests is leading to debt and a lack of practical skills.

Why does Hanson suggest universities should disclose the average compensation of different majors to students?

Hanson believes that by disclosing the average compensation, students can make informed decisions about their education and the financial burden they are taking on.

What responsibility does Hanson believe universities should take for student loans?

Hanson suggests that universities, especially those with large endowments, should pledge their endowment and take responsibility for student loans, particularly in cases of default.

Why does Hanson mention the SAT and its role in the past?

Hanson mentions the SAT to highlight the disparity in high school quality and the need for a standardized test to ensure students are prepared for university-level education.

What change in university admission practices is Hanson critical of?

Hanson criticizes universities for admitting students who may not be prepared for the curriculum, leading to watered-down courses and inflated grades.

How does Hanson describe the current hiring preferences in Silicon Valley?

Hanson states that employers in Silicon Valley prefer to hire from schools like Texas A&M or Georgia Tech over Stanford because they are better trained and do not bring the same therapeutic culture issues.

What is the demographic shift Hanson observes in university admissions?

Hanson notes a shift where universities are admitting a more diverse student body, but at the expense of excluding highly qualified students and potentially lowering academic standards.

What is Hanson's view on the future of higher education and its impact on society?

Hanson predicts a revolutionary movement in education, with a shift towards trade schools and community colleges, as the current model of higher education is seen as toxic and exploitative.

What does Hanson suggest is the root of the problem in higher education?

Hanson suggests that the problem lies with the credential elite, who are not being held accountable and are failing to provide competitive education compared to other institutions.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Crisis of Higher Education and Student Debt

Victor Davis Hansen discusses the current state of higher education, criticizing universities for producing graduates with massive debt and insufficient skills. He points out the societal impact, such as the decline in marriage, home buying, and fertility rates, and suggests that universities are not transparent about the true cost and potential earnings of different majors. Hansen also addresses the lack of accountability in higher education, proposing that universities should be more upfront about the financial implications of their programs and the performance of their graduates. He highlights the absence of standardized testing like the SAT for post-secondary education, which could serve as a measure of quality and accountability.

05:02

🔍 The Shift in Perception of Elite Universities

This paragraph delves into the changing perceptions of elite universities, particularly from the perspective of employers in Silicon Valley. Hansen recounts a conversation with an employer who prefers graduates from less prestigious institutions due to their better training and adaptability. The employer criticizes elite universities for lowering their academic standards to accommodate a more diverse student body, which has led to inflated grades and a decline in the quality of education. The discussion also touches on the high cost of education and the lack of competitiveness of graduates from these institutions. Hansen suggests a growing trend of parents and students seeking alternative educational paths, such as trade schools and community colleges, due to the perceived shortcomings of traditional universities.

Keywords

💡Faculty Lounge

A faculty lounge is a common area in universities where professors and other academic staff can relax, socialize, and discuss ideas. In the context of the video, it is used metaphorically to suggest that radical or 'crazy' ideas that originate in such spaces can have a significant impact on policy, as they may eventually be adopted by the White House.

💡Four-Year College

A four-year college typically refers to an institution of higher education that offers a program of study leading to a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years to complete. The video criticizes the prevalence of four-year colleges, suggesting that many students are not gaining valuable skills or knowledge and are instead accumulating debt.

💡Student Debt

Student debt refers to the loans that students take out to finance their education, which they must repay after graduation. The video highlights the issue of the US having a staggering 1.7 trillion dollars in student debt, implying that universities are partly to blame for this financial burden on students.

💡Fertility Rate

The fertility rate is the average number of children born per woman over her lifetime. A drop from 2.1 to 1.6, as mentioned in the video, indicates a significant demographic shift that could have long-term societal and economic implications, such as an aging population and potential labor shortages.

💡University Accountability

University accountability refers to the responsibility of educational institutions to provide transparent information about the cost, quality, and outcomes of their programs. The video argues that universities should be more upfront about the financial and career implications of their degrees, using the analogy of a car purchase to illustrate the need for clear information.

💡Endowment

An endowment in the context of universities refers to a fund of money that is invested and used to generate income for the institution. The video suggests that wealthy universities with large endowments, such as Stanford with a $40 billion endowment, should take on more responsibility for student loans, potentially making them more selective or rigorous in their admissions and education.

💡SAT

The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It is mentioned in the video as a measure of academic ability that was once trusted to provide a level playing field for students from different high schools. The speaker criticizes the removal of the SAT, suggesting it has led to a decline in academic standards.

💡Grade Inflation

Grade inflation refers to the phenomenon where higher grades are given more frequently over time, even if the quality of student performance has not improved. The video implies that universities have engaged in grade inflation to accommodate a broader and potentially less academically prepared student body.

💡Credential Elite

The term 'credential elite' refers to individuals or groups who hold significant social or professional status due to their educational credentials. The video suggests that this group may be out of touch with the needs of society and the job market, leading to a misalignment between university education and real-world skills.

💡Trade School

A trade school is an educational institution that focuses on teaching specific job skills or trades, such as plumbing, electrical work, or automotive repair. The video suggests a shift in societal attitudes towards valuing trade schools and community colleges over traditional four-year colleges, as they are seen as providing more practical and immediately employable skills.

💡Educational Revolution

The term 'educational revolution' in the video refers to a significant shift or change in the way education is delivered, perceived, or valued. The speaker predicts a movement away from traditional higher education models towards more practical, skill-based learning, driven by dissatisfaction with the current system.

Highlights

The assertion that ideas from faculty lounges can influence the White House within two years.

Concerns about the high number of students attending four-year colleges without gaining substantial knowledge.

The $1.7 trillion debt crisis attributed to universities for their role in the current predicament.

A drop in fertility rates from 2.1 to 1.6 within 25 years, considered catastrophic.

A generation of young people, particularly males, avoiding marriage, home ownership, and children.

Victor Davis Hansen's argument that universities are producing graduates with debt but not enough skills.

The critique of universities not providing clear information about the cost and benefits of different majors.

A call for universities to be transparent about the average compensation of their graduates by major.

Suggestion to link university endowments to student loan responsibilities to improve course relevance.

The historical role of SATs in providing a standardized measure of student ability across different high schools.

Criticism of universities for not maintaining the same academic standards as in the past.

Anecdotal evidence from Silicon Valley preferring graduates from non-elite universities for their skills and adaptability.

The observation that elite universities have been admitting students they know cannot handle the curriculum.

The impact of universities' changing admission standards on their reputation and the job market.

The increasing trend of parents and students opting for trade schools and community colleges over traditional four-year degrees.

A call for accountability in higher education and a shift towards more practical and skill-based learning.

The potential for a revolutionary movement in education to address the current issues with universities.

Concerns about the exploitative nature of the current higher education system and its impact on taxpayers.

A discussion on the upcoming elections and the potential for change in the education system.

The final note on the importance of not needing to be perfect to be good and the hope for positive change.

Transcripts

I always used to say that the craziest

idea in a faculty Lounge takes about 2

years to be implemented in the white

house so it it's very

influential there's too many people

going to 4-year colleges and they're not

learning anything we have 1.7 trillion

in debt and so the university is very

culpable because we have this problem

now where we went from 2.1 fertility

down to 1.6 it was catastrophic in 25

years so we've got this whole generation

of young people primarily also male

young people who they're not getting

married they're not buying houses

they're not having

children are universities failing

students and Society in this video

Victor Davis Hansen discusses the

current state of higher education he

argues that universities are churning

out graduates burdened with massive debt

and insufficient skills contributing to

a national crisis and I have them in my

own family and I talk to them how did

you get

150,000 niece or

nephew and the major that they're they

go three units here six units here five

units here and they they consume their

20s because of this myth of the

four-year degree and then you have these

universities and you say to them and

I've said this to a lot of

Administrators why don't don't you just

tell you know when I buy a car I'm told

exactly what the monthly payment is what

the total cost is and am I aware of all

the ins and outs and I have a 17-page

thing to fill out would you just tell

the student when they take these

loans what is the average compensation

of a sociology major a psych major a

Classics major whatever it is just tell

them tell them how much the interest

will cost them and what is the price per

unit

in dollars so that they can make a

decision and not just f it off on a

guaranteed loan and then would you also

Pledge Your endowment get the government

out just pledge you if you're Stanford

University and you have a $40 billion

endowment why don't you just tell the

students that they'll have the student

loans but you are

on your responsibility when they default

and maybe if that happened you would

offer courses that were relevant and the

students you would be very critical of

the faculty who couldn't teach Etc and

then another

thing until recently we had SATs and the

pre premise of the SAT was the GPA

cannot be

trusted because there's such a wide

disparity in the quality of high school

so an a from my high school Salma High

School where I graduated is not really

an a compared to PO Alto High School

that was true so therefore I had to take

the

SAT why don't we have an sat in the back

end because I guarantee you that where

Stanford is today and watching it they

are not turning students out like

Hillsdale College I teach it both 20

years ago the Stanford student was far

better prepared and educated and came in

not now and if you had an SAT that said

everybody who needs a ba has to get I

don't know 85% a 520 the SAT you would

be surprised how much they they hate

that idea and because they don't want

any accountability that either they

haven't taught people to improve in the

skills they said were necessary to take

their

courses and

uh I'll just finish this with I had a

guy in Silicon Valley last year I gave a

lecture and he came up to me and I said

at some point their reputations are

going to suffer these four-year colleges

because they're watered down the

curriculum and it's Dei

and he said where have you been

Victor he said in the last 3 years

Stanford University LED in 20% white

students we don't care what color they

are but to get that ratio they had to

exclude people that were brilliant so

they rejected 70% of those who had a

perfect sat even though it was alter you

know it was a choice they sent it in and

that became a mark of

vulnerability it's it's like one 0.11%

of the SAT get perfect scores Stanford

refused 60 or 70% of them that applied

so then he said and then you have the

therapeutic culture so I said what are

you getting at said when we're in

Silicon Valley and we have a choice now

in 2023 to hire somebody from Stanford

whether it's public relations or coding

or Texas A&M Georgia

Tech we will take them any day and i'

say are you serious he said yes because

two things they're better trained and

the first thing they do not do is go to

our HR department and complain you your

students they're not as competitive they

the your faculty to accommodate the new

student body had to either water down

the courses inflate the grades but

accommodate the fact that they are

letting in students by their own their

own admission did not fit the

requirements that they used to preach to

us were absolutely necessary or as he

put it in 1998 these guys would come up

to us and say you know what it's a very

rare person that can get into sford

University and once they get in here we

give them the toughest classes and when

we go out to they go out there these

guys are brilliant they're trained and

so then he says to me well if that was

true and now they admit they've thrown

out the

SAT then they're admitting they're

letting people in that can't do the

curriculum on the books that they said

was necessary to to ensure their

Prestige so why would we trust them

anymore and in fact when we and that's

what's happening to Harvard yet 80% of

the grades at Yale were AIDS so I think

what you're saying

is not only is the demographic

shrinking there's fewer students but the

costs are going up above the rate of

inflation the students are not getting

uh any means to pay back the loans and

the the universities are no longer

mccratic and that's even going into

Medical School law school business

school and so a lot of people are saying

I want my child to go get skills I want

him to go to a trade school I want to go

to a community college and I the elite

now believe it or not I get a call twice

a week Victor I not going to send my kid

to Harvard Yale where I win or Stamford

is it Hillsdale is it Pepperdine is is

it St Thomas aquinus where do I send my

child or do I send him to University of

Oklahoma Oklahoma State and so I'm very

confident that there is a revolutionary

movement in education to get rid of this

toxic I have a bunch of letters after my

name therefore I'm educated therefore I

can I can I'm an expert and what the

universities have done is really is

almost criminal to put us the taxpayers

on a a 1 Point 7

trillion exposure so they can raise

their rates of INF uh tuition above the

rate of inflation and they're not

accountable and their students are

getting they're not competitive compared

to other other universities the problem

is not with the middle and upper middle

classes it's with the credential Elite

and they I'm not confident about them

but I think we have to hold them to

account in the media and the university

especially but so I I think

we'll see what happens in November and

you know the Republicans have a lot of

problems too but we'll see it's not so

much about Trump or Harris it's more or

less at this after 233 years we're not

going to call the country a failure and

it's races systematically unfair it's

exploitive and we're going to we're

going to tear it apart we're not going

to do that sorry if you don't like it

that's the way it's going to be we're

going to vote and we're going to we're

not perfect but we don't have to be

perfect to be good and we're better than

the alternative and for that that's good

enough and we're going to press on

that's the attitude and I think it'll

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