About a week ago I drew two sketches. The first was a circle, scribbles without meaning. The second was an orderly cubic shape. It was segmented, like a Rubik’s cube, but far more complicated. I sat there, pondering what such a sketch represents. 

I believe it symbolizes my approach to these articles. An abstraction, a cloud of confusion, emerges. From that, through these writings, I formulate new ideas gradually. Organizing my thoughts, I carefully think about the ideas I want to communicate. Is this not the original purpose of the education system?

This week we will study the divide between the importance of a university education and the work ethics of the blue collar community. The world is filled with lazy geniuses, and hard working idiots. What kinds of conflict does this create? How can we solve them?

I’m in no way an expert on this topic, however, my perspective is unique. I’m stuck right in the middle. My parents, grandparents, and associates are predominately blue collar workers. But here I am, going away to college this fall to pursue a university degree. Constantly in the back of my mind, I remember to not lose the work ethic instilled in me by my family. 

Time and time again guys say, “College is a waste of money”, and unfortunately I believe there is some truth to that statement. But on the flip side, those with a college degree typically make 40-60% more money each year, and generally live a happier life. 

Is college necessary to make it in life? Absolutely not. But we can’t forget how important a high quality eduction actually is. Our founding fathers continually addressed the issue of education, saying it was one of the most important aspects of their lives. Benjamin Franklin said, “An education is an investment pays the greatest dividends.” 

More often than not, the resentment toward colleges stems from their overwhelmingly liberal associations. University campuses everywhere have become increasing liberal for the past thirty years and, as a result, conservative-minded people have been driven out by the thousands. Some blue-haired freak will earn a degree in transgender studies and live a life devoid of meaning, while the government pays for it by subsidizing student loans to the beat of a billion dollar drum. 

Meanwhile, hard working men are pushed into trades typically associated with lower wages. Working twelve hour days, six days a week, is considered a normal way of life for some of these men. Their work ethic produces results that cannot be matched by many. 

What if there was a solution to this dilemma? What if there could be an educational institution devoted to one thing only: education. Putting politics aside, this university could facilitate dialogue between students, building a robust network of highly-educated and hard-working people. Is somewhere like that just a dream? Or could we strive to achieve that reality? This week we will find out.