Comments on: Rich People Things, with Chris Lehmann: The Magna Cum Laude Recession http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession Seriously, this could not be more beta Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:41:15 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: garge http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40653 garge Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:09:52 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40653 I imagine them to be gilded cubicles, with waterfalls and coy fish. And fresh bagels, always. I imagine them to be gilded cubicles, with waterfalls and coy fish. And fresh bagels, always.

]]> By: cherrispryte http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40620 cherrispryte Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:48:49 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40620 Yeah. I had a significant scholarship, otherwise I wouldn't've gone. GW does have good professors, and access to downtown DC (woohoo internships) make it a good school. On the other hand, the bureaucracy one must navigate in order to survive four years there, as well as the general administration, is horrific. Yeah. I had a significant scholarship, otherwise I wouldn't've gone. GW does have good professors, and access to downtown DC (woohoo internships) make it a good school. On the other hand, the bureaucracy one must navigate in order to survive four years there, as well as the general administration, is horrific.

]]> By: NeonTrotsky http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40597 NeonTrotsky Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:14:33 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40597 Interesting to hear. I guess it's another example of marketing strategies seeping into all possible sectors ("if it's that expensive/exclusive, then it must be really great"). GW has a number of wonderful programs and professors (and I know some very successful GW alumni), but the sheer cost is startling, especially for me as I paid comparatively less for a stint in grad school at Georgetown than at GW. Interesting to hear. I guess it's another example of marketing strategies seeping into all possible sectors ("if it's that expensive/exclusive, then it must be really great"). GW has a number of wonderful programs and professors (and I know some very successful GW alumni), but the sheer cost is startling, especially for me as I paid comparatively less for a stint in grad school at Georgetown than at GW.

]]> By: cherrispryte http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40565 cherrispryte Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:23:27 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40565 A GW professor with a fairly well known blog on higher education once hypothesized (privately, til I out her right now) that GW wore the "most expensive university in the country" label like a badge of honor. That Trachtenberg was deliberately courting prospective students whose parents thought that "most amount of money paid" equaled "best education". These are not, for the record, the most intelligent sorts of people. A GW professor with a fairly well known blog on higher education once hypothesized (privately, til I out her right now) that GW wore the "most expensive university in the country" label like a badge of honor. That Trachtenberg was deliberately courting prospective students whose parents thought that "most amount of money paid" equaled "best education". These are not, for the record, the most intelligent sorts of people.

]]> By: NeonTrotsky http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40486 NeonTrotsky Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:42:14 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40486 I read this article in the <i>Post</i> the other day and I like your interpretation of it. As usual, difficulty in finding a job only becomes a major issue worthy of print when attractive young white students are finding their options limited, while alarm bells never rang from the perpetual un- and underemployment facing young black folks in SE D.C. for the past two or three decades. I'd like to add to your first paragraph that D.C. has a severely limited service sector--most shops in the District close early on weekdays and many are closed all weekend. Furthermore, there are far fewer neighborhood food service shops all across D.C. (but particularly in NE/SE) compared with a city like NYC. It used to be that absurdly expensive schools like GW were "worth it" in the end because they opened the door to employment. I'd be curious to see what happens to these universities when prospective students realize this is no longer true... I read this article in the Post the other day and I like your interpretation of it. As usual, difficulty in finding a job only becomes a major issue worthy of print when attractive young white students are finding their options limited, while alarm bells never rang from the perpetual un- and underemployment facing young black folks in SE D.C. for the past two or three decades.

I'd like to add to your first paragraph that D.C. has a severely limited service sector–most shops in the District close early on weekdays and many are closed all weekend. Furthermore, there are far fewer neighborhood food service shops all across D.C. (but particularly in NE/SE) compared with a city like NYC.

It used to be that absurdly expensive schools like GW were "worth it" in the end because they opened the door to employment. I'd be curious to see what happens to these universities when prospective students realize this is no longer true…

]]> By: myfanwy http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40382 myfanwy Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:29:27 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40382 Also, If I recall correctly, HR people tend to dwell in cubicles. Also, If I recall correctly, HR people tend to dwell in cubicles.

]]> By: ala262002 http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40371 ala262002 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:20 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40371 Oh please! If you don't want to work in a cubicle then get the hell out of Missoula! Missoula has the most masters degrees working at coffee shops anywhere. Most live here to be able to get outdoors and enjoy Montana and are willing to sacrifice pay for quality of life (like me and my out of work journalist boyfriend). There are plenty of trustafarians running around Missoula bitching and whining about not being able to find a job but do absolutely nothing else about it. She can't get a job as a waitress or a substitute teacher because everyone knows when she gets her dream job she's out of there and quite honestly she doesn't have a family to support like alot of unemployed Missoulians out there. Although my boyfriend got laid off he manages to keep himself busy applying for jobs in this area and GETTING OUTSIDE and enjoying this time because he knows he'll get another job where, in fact, he will be stuck in a cubicle (or crowded newsroom)soon. So stop your bitching kiddo, you got your education, now quit your complaining and leave the jobs for those in Missoula who want them and need them and sure as shit won't complain about being in a cubicle. Signed, A cubicle dwelling, lifelong Montanan and proud Missoulian! P.S. Go Griz!!! Oh please! If you don't want to work in a cubicle then get the hell out of Missoula! Missoula has the most masters degrees working at coffee shops anywhere. Most live here to be able to get outdoors and enjoy Montana and are willing to sacrifice pay for quality of life (like me and my out of work journalist boyfriend). There are plenty of trustafarians running around Missoula bitching and whining about not being able to find a job but do absolutely nothing else about it. She can't get a job as a waitress or a substitute teacher because everyone knows when she gets her dream job she's out of there and quite honestly she doesn't have a family to support like alot of unemployed Missoulians out there. Although my boyfriend got laid off he manages to keep himself busy applying for jobs in this area and GETTING OUTSIDE and enjoying this time because he knows he'll get another job where, in fact, he will be stuck in a cubicle (or crowded newsroom)soon. So stop your bitching kiddo, you got your education, now quit your complaining and leave the jobs for those in Missoula who want them and need them and sure as shit won't complain about being in a cubicle.

Signed,
A cubicle dwelling, lifelong Montanan and proud Missoulian!

P.S. Go Griz!!!

]]> By: cherrispryte http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40367 cherrispryte Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:10:43 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40367 Ah. Perhaps if her logic skills were stronger, she would have a job. Ah. Perhaps if her logic skills were stronger, she would have a job.

]]> By: myfanwy http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40344 myfanwy Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:51:34 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40344 I think her line of reasoning is that you can come up with a lot of excuses as to why you're living at home with your parents (c.f. travelling, ashram yoga etc.) But a cubicle slave is, and will never be more than, a cubicle slave. I think her line of reasoning is that you can come up with a lot of excuses as to why you're living at home with your parents (c.f. travelling, ashram yoga etc.) But a cubicle slave is, and will never be more than, a cubicle slave.

]]> By: cherrispryte http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/rich-people-things-with-chris-lehmann-the-magna-cum-laude-recession#comment-40328 cherrispryte Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:32:18 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19411#comment-40328 I am intrigued that this girl manages to be disdainful of cubicle workers, while she is living at home with her parents. Also, if I had any school pride, I'd say something along the lines of "Buff'n'Blue Represent! Woooooo!". But I hate my alma mater, so I shall instead say: Fuck GW. I am intrigued that this girl manages to be disdainful of cubicle workers, while she is living at home with her parents.
Also, if I had any school pride, I'd say something along the lines of "Buff'n'Blue Represent! Woooooo!". But I hate my alma mater, so I shall instead say:
Fuck GW.

]]>