Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by davidmathers 5367 days ago
Harvard is not fungible.
2 comments

If the quality we're interested in is "being Harvard," then no, Harvard is not fungible. But if the quality is "providing a college education," the Harvard is extremely fungible in many cases.
People don't seek Harvard for the education only. They seek it or lots of things: access to wealth, access to knowledge and network, increased status, increased reputation.

Otherwise why would there be exceptional demand (and price) for harvard?

Right, but top-quality education is fungible.

Not everybody needs to go to an Ivy League, just like not everybody needs to own a 75-ft yacht.

I'm OK with that.