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14/ What’s missing is a clean conceptualization of how Weird Topics teaching directly links to research/writing/making/kickstartering end of things. Just like there’s Aman R&D/PhD/grad-coursework nexus in academia. Once I figure that out I’ll be more enthusiastic about teaching
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15/ This thread is a reflection of my own ambivalence towards the online courses game. I have had a Ribbonfarm School set up on teachable for a year now with some bare minimum stuff available, and I’m both attracted to/put off by the idea of doing more.
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16/ What would make me get serious is if I could figure out a good model, with many teachers, of Ribbonfarm School as a Weird Topics grad school. I have no interest in the undergrad-equivalent stuff (though I need that to exist) or things that univs do well already at grad level
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17/ Btw if any of you are interested in this stuff and looking to “disrupt” regular grad school or even undergrad, note that that’s likely a bad idea. They’re disrupting themselves pretty well with their free/cheap catalog-openings in partnership with the Courseras of the world
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18/ What we’re talking about here is really an indie teaching scene by analogy to indie music. The big univs are like the big record labels. No point competing where they have a deep back catalog of material ready to go. Either teach New Economy UG or Weird Topics grad school
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19/ If you want to teach New Economy UG, you have to think like a consumer business and design for scale, efficiency, packaging, mass marketing, intake funnels, and probably a sub $300 price range
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20/ If you want to teach Weird Topics grad school, you need to figure out a link/cross-subsidy with research/writing/making/indie-creating, focus on bespoke teaching relationships, and a price < $100, unless you can figure out a scholarship model and make it free (my preference)
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Replying to
I have similar ideas for “weird topics” in productivity taught by many different teachers. But why don’t you think it can be premium priced? Like boutique in-person courses on massage therapy, orgasmic meditation, public speaking, sitting/walking techniques
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Replying to
Same reason nobody who deserves a PhD ever pays for one. Adverse selection. The point of such teaching is to surface best talent who can advance research/writing, not people who can most afford to pay. They’re not entirely orthogonal, but definitely not the same populations.
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True, but I try not to judge institutions at their most off-mission. When university research actually works it works really well. Also, appearances are deceptive. Really high stress and depression rates on the free rider side of PhDs. The ones doing serious work are happier.
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