Higher education in America is facing an existential crisis. While our universities have long been the envy of the world, the cracks in the ivory tower are becoming increasingly apparent. At the heart of the problem lies a system that operates more like a cartel than a competitive marketplace—a system that prioritizes prestige over innovation, exclusivity over accessibility, and the status quo over the needs of students.
The root of this dysfunction can be traced back to the accreditation process. In theory, accreditation is meant to ensure quality and protect students from fraudulent institutions. In practice, however, it has become a tool for entrenched interests to maintain their grip on power. The agencies that grant accreditation are often run by the very universities they are meant to oversee, creating a self-regulating system that stifles competition and innovation. New entrants to the market face steep barriers, as access to federal student aid is conditional on accreditation. The resulting restricted supply of colleges keeps prices high and quality stagnant.
But the problems don't end there. The government's attempts to make college more affordable have actually had the opposite effect. By subsidizing demand through student loans and grants without effectively increasing supply, the government has created a "doom loop" of rising prices. Universities, flush with federal cash, have little incentive to control costs or improve efficiency. Instead, they engage in a never-ending arms race of amenities, administrative bloat, and marketing gimmicks to attract students and justify their sky-high tuition.
The result is a system that is fundamentally broken. Students are saddled with crippling debt for degrees that often fail to deliver on their promise of upward mobility. Universities, insulated from market forces, have become bastions of ideological conformity and risk-aversion. And society as a whole is left with a generation of graduates who are ill-equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
But there is hope on the horizon. The rise of alternative models, from online learning to competency-based education, is starting to disrupt the traditional college cartel. Coding bootcamps, for example, offer short, intensive programs that equip students with in-demand tech skills at a fraction of the cost and time of a traditional degree. The Thiel Fellowship, founded by tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel, gives talented young innovators $100,000 to skip college and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. And with the explosion of educational content online—from YouTube tutorials to skill-sharing platforms to MOOCs (massive open online courses)—anyone with an internet connection can now access world-class learning opportunities. I myself spend 2-3 hours a day learning through these mediums, gaining valuable knowledge and skills without ever setting foot in a classroom. By leveraging technology, focusing on outcomes, and aligning with the needs of the modern economy, these alternative models are challenging the notion that a four-year residential experience is the only path to success.
Of course, breaking the college cartel won't be easy. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo will fight tooth and nail to preserve their privilege. But the stakes are too high to let them win. The future of our economy, our society, and our democracy depends on a higher education system that is accessible, affordable, and accountable to the needs of students and the demands of the modern world.
So what can we do? First and foremost, we need to reform the accreditation process to encourage competition and innovation. This means breaking the stranglehold of incumbent institutions and opening the door to new models and providers. It means focusing on outcomes rather than inputs, and holding schools accountable for the success of their students.
We also need to rethink the way we finance higher education. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach of blanket subsidies, we should target aid to the students who need it most, and tie it to performance and results. We should explore income-share agreements and other innovative financing models that align incentives and share risk between students, schools, and taxpayers.
Finally, we need to foster a culture of lifelong learning that extends beyond the traditional college years. In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, the skills and knowledge acquired in college will quickly become obsolete. We need a system that enables workers to continually upskill and reskill throughout their careers, whether through short-term credentials, online courses, or employer-sponsored training.
It's time to break the college cartel and unleash a new era of innovation and opportunity in higher education. The future is waiting. Let's seize it.
Artificial Imagination ☀️
This image, conjured up using the sorcery of MidJourney, perfectly captures the essence of a summer morning on the Delaware coast, complete with a boardwalk that's just begging for a groggy, pre-coffee stroll. It's almost enough to make me forget about the impending sunburn and sand in unmentionable places. I can’t wait to sneak away to Funland with the kiddos a few times in the coming months.
This is not an actual photo, but one that was totally A.I. generated using a prompt that I created with MidJourney 🤯
Vibe Hack 👨💻
Did you know Google Chrome now has a built-in way to organize your tabs? If you're someone who frequently has dozens of tabs open (guilty), this new feature is a game-changer. Just click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and select "Organize Tabs." You'll be able to sort your tabs by various criteria like title or domain, close duplicate tabs in a single click, and even create tab groups to keep related pages together. No more scrolling endlessly through a sea of tabs— with this handy tool, you can quickly find what you need and keep your browser clutter-free. Give it a try the next time tab chaos strikes!
My Weekly Vibe
Spartan Race: Rachel and I recently survived a Spartan Beast race in the mountains of New Jersey. As flatlanders, those hills absolutely annihilated us, but we somehow managed to push through the challenge together, cursing the whole way. I never thought I'd be masochistic enough to sign up for another round of self-inflicted torture, but apparently, I've lost my mind because I'm already itching to schedule the next race. There's something strangely addictive about testing your limits and emerging victorious (albeit barely alive) on the other side. If you're looking for a way to get out of your comfort zone and feel truly alive (or half-dead), I highly recommend trying a Spartan race. Just be prepared for a few days of jello legs and questioning your life choices afterward!
App: I've been loving Anthropic's new Claude app. While I enjoy working with various AI assistants, Claude has quickly become my go-to. Its responses feel more natural and engaging compared to other LLMs, and it excels across a wide range of tasks. Whether I need help brainstorming ideas, analyzing data, or drafting emails, Claude consistently delivers impressive results. The app is intuitive and easy to use, making it a valuable tool for boosting productivity. If you haven't tried Claude yet, I highly recommend giving it a spin and seeing how it can level up your workflows.
Dessert: Legendary Foods High Protein Cinnamon Sweet Rolls have been my snack obsession lately. These tasty treats pack 20 grams of protein per serving, making them a satisfying alternative to traditional protein bars. While they're not a totally clean food, they're definitely a healthier choice than indulging in real cinnamon rolls. The sweet cinnamon flavor is spot on, and the texture is surprisingly soft and satisfying. Plus, they're low carb, low sugar, and gluten-free, so they fit well into a keto or mindful eating plan. If you're craving a sweet breakfast treat without totally derailing your goals, give these a try.
Podcast: The All-In Podcast never fails to deliver thought-provoking discussions, but a recent episode with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg was exceptionally brilliant. The chemistry between the hosts is undeniable, and their insights into the tech world are always razor-sharp. In this episode, they dive deep into the future of AI, the evolving landscape of social media, and the challenges of building ethical technology. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing world of tech. Highly recommend adding this one to your queue!
📸 cred: Spartan Race
Weekly Muse
"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." —John Maynard Keynes
Real Estate
The American Dream of homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many young Americans, as they face a perfect storm of high home prices, rising interest rates, and stagnant wages. This harsh reality is forcing an entire generation to rethink their housing aspirations and adapt to a new norm of renting or living with family.
The numbers paint a sobering picture. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in the U.S. has skyrocketed to over $400,000, a record high that is putting homeownership out of reach for many first-time buyers. At the same time, interest rates have risen sharply in recent months, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate continues to hover around 7%. For a generation already saddled with student loan debt and struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, these factors are creating an almost insurmountable barrier to homeownership.
The consequences of this trend are far-reaching and profound. For young people, the inability to buy a home means missing out on one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available. Homeownership has long been the primary way that American families have built equity and passed down wealth from one generation to the next. Without this opportunity, many young people are facing a future of financial insecurity and limited upward mobility.
But the impacts go beyond just individual financial wellbeing. The shift towards renting and multigenerational living is also changing the fabric of our communities and the way we live and interact with one another. In many cities, the shortage of affordable housing is leading to overcrowding, displacement, and the erosion of neighborhood stability. Young people are increasingly forced to move further away from job centers and cultural amenities, leading to longer commutes, reduced quality of life, and a sense of disconnection from their communities.
So what can be done to address this growing crisis? There are no easy answers, but there are steps that policymakers, industry leaders, and individuals can take to help make homeownership more accessible and affordable for young Americans.
At the policy level, this could include expanding access to down payment assistance programs, creating more affordable housing options through zoning reforms and incentives for developers, and investing in financial education and counseling to help young people navigate the complex process of buying a home.
In the private sector, lenders and real estate professionals can play a role by developing innovative financing options and marketing strategies that are tailored to the needs and preferences of younger buyers. This could include offering more flexible underwriting standards, creating rent-to-own programs, and using technology to streamline the homebuying process and reduce costs.
Ultimately, however, addressing the housing affordability crisis will require a collective effort and a willingness to rethink the traditional models of homeownership and housing finance. It will require creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable housing market that works for everyone.
For young Americans facing an uncertain housing future, the path forward may not be easy, but it is not without hope. By advocating for change, exploring alternative housing options, and building financial resilience, they can help shape a new era of housing that is more accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of a changing world. The dream of homeownership may look a bit different than it did for previous generations, but with determination and innovation, it can still be achieved.
clears throat and puts on best Don Rickles impression… “Listen up, you hockey pucks! If you've got 12 million smackeroos burning a hole in your pocket, boy do I have a deal for you. This joint's got more space than a fat guy's pants at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and it's so fancy, even the toilet paper is probably made of silk!” (courtesy of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty) Disclaimer: this is a lovely listing and clearly just a bit of satire, so loosen up and enjoy
Interesting Find
Tokyo's transparent toilets are taking the phrase "public restroom" to a whole new level! These cheeky, colorful stalls feature "smart glass" technology that turns the glass from clear to opaque when you lock the door, but let's be honest— there's always that moment of panic when you wonder if the switch is going to work. It's like a high-stakes game of "peek-a-poo!"
📸 cred: New York Times
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