Pay $100k a Year to Learn to Be Curious?

 Like too many institutions of higher education Syracuse University bills at about $100k a year for the four years of undergraduate learning. 

One of the major benefits of that, it is claimed, is creating and nurturing curiosity.  For example, an op-ed in The New York Times states:

 " ...my undergrads ... I expect, will approach the material with energetic curiosity. They always do." 

The gigantic elephant in the room on that one is this: Why is that necessary? Observe any toddler in a store or on the playground and it's obvious that human beings are inherently quite curious. Even annoyingly so.

Obviously, though, many will lose it along the way to being 18 years old. And defenders of the university will feature that pursuit as a main item on the menu. 

We have to ask, of course, why curiosity is so easily erased as the human matures.

But, equally important to look at is the wealth-creation reality that some hold on to the craving to explore. 

Mark Zuckerberg wanted to test out how Harvard undergraduates could communicate more easily and effectively. To focus on that he exited formal education. 

The continuity of art depends on manifesting a fresh perspective, unpacked in fresh techniques. The Impressionists searched for stylistics beyond the French Academy and traditional realism.

Billionaire Peter Thiel funds those who chase an idea for a startup instead of going to college. 

Come to think of it, does what goes into preparing to matriculate in higher education deter curiosity?

To get good grades it was well known that you have to size up what instructors want fed back. Standardized tests mandate certain modes of thinking. I aced the LSAT and got into Harvard Law because I analyzed from previous tests how "they" think. Metrics for evaluating academic performance tend to be rigid. You bet, you strive to figure out how to be in those boxes.

In coaching, I guide breaking open to new perspectives. Once that begins, there can be a shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance.

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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