Problems
Welcome to “The Ben & Marc Show”, featuring a16z co-founders Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen. In this latest episode, Marc and Ben tackle the university system – a hot topic that’s been dominating the news over the past few months.
As Marc states at the top of the episode, universities matter tremendously to our world, but they’re currently in a state of crisis. In this one-on-one conversation, Ben and Marc take a “structural” look at higher education, diving deep into the twelve functions of the modern university. They also unpack the numerous challenges that universities face today – the student debt and the replication crisis, among them.
As colleges face an existential dilemma that could have long lasting repercussions, how can we find ways to improve these institutions, while being open to new entrepreneurial opportunities in education? Enjoy!
Topics Covered:
00:00:01 - Teaser
00:00:34 - Introduction
00:05:59 - Evolution of the modern university
00:13:39 - Marc's 12 functions of the university
00:19:22 - University as a credentialing agency
00:37:55 - The student loan crisis
00:45:26 - College tuition inflation vs. overall inflation (US CPI)
00:46:32 - Which college? Which degree?
00:51:24 - University as a research bureau
00:54:00 - Replication crisis
00:57:31 - Research and government funding
01:00:42 - Policy Think Tank
01:05:12 - Ben on the Roland Fryer case
01:09:07 - University as the moral instructor
01:11:29 - DEI and its side effects
01:25:27 - Student athlete scam
01:31:47 - University as adult day care
01:32:57 - Reverse CBT
01:34:55 - Campus justice systems
01:38:56 - The truth about accreditation
01:41:23 - The current existential threat to universities
01:49:50 - Key questions and entrepreneurial opportunities
01:55:43 - Sign
Solutions?
In this one-on-one conversation, Ben and Marc delve into actions that existing institutions can take to improve their current and future situations. This includes exploring new methods for talent recruitment, providing a more individualized education experience for students, and reducing administrative bloat. They also apply an entrepreneurial lens to each university function, revealing startup opportunities poised to emerge – including the building of brand new institutions, nonprofits, and research entities. Enjoy!
Topics Covered:
00:00:00 - Teaser
00:00:28 - Introduction
00:05:17 - 15 constituents of the university
00:09:30 - Being in service of the student
00:12:18 - Reducing the administration
00:15:15 - Reality of nonprofits
00:19:02 - 1:1 tutoring
00:25:26 - DEI and the importance of talent recruitment
00:43:05 - Fixing the incoming / outgoing credential
00:52:00 - The Scandinavian Paradox
00:59:36 - Creativity assessment
01:02:59 - Why the math SAT is capped at 800
01:07:31 - Building new universities / startup opportunities
01:17:53 - What students need in this Information Age
01:24:00 - Unbundling: Credentialing Agency
01:30:10 - Unbundling: Educational Courses
01:36:44 - Unbundling: Research Bureau
01:46:33 - Unbundling: Moral Instructor
01:51:21 - Unbundling: Sports League
01:53:26 - Unbundling: Adult Day Care & Dating Site
01:57:31 - Overview on all unbundling
02:00:13 - Potential for political revolt
02:03:30 - Sign off
Topics covered:
00:00:00 - Teaser
00:00:47 - Introduction
00:01:52 - Q: Given that there are some presidential vacancies at notable universities, how would you select a new president?
00:11:50 - Q: Why do we still think that it takes four years to fully bake an undergraduate student?
00:23:43 - Q: How can we convince smart young people to consider trade schools?
00:34:05 - Q: If you were 18 again and had the choice between [1] Going to Harvard, [2] 1-1 private tutor, or [3] Thiel Fellowship, which would you choose?
00:45:07 - Q: As a new(ish) father, what the hell is this going to look like for my kids?
00:57:55 - 3 question cluster on AI's impact on education
01:11:14 - Q: Can you talk more about the shift from tenured professors to adjuncts and how this might be linked to grade inflation?
01:19:12 - Q: I've been told by the chancellor of a large university that the increase in tuition is a result of the increase in needs-based grants. If this is correct, are there any alternative models for student financial aid that can offset this outcome?
01:23:21 - Q: Can you please dig a little deeper into the endowments and how they are primarily utilized and earmarked by the university?
01:28:46 - Q: What is the proper role of trustees?
01:35:34 - Sign off
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