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Meta HN question: How does something with 5 points, 1 comment and was posted an hour ago make it to the front page? Just curious.
I have a theory, without any knowledge one way or the other, that the admins have the ability to temporarily push an essay they find interesting to the middle of the 1st or 2nd page for a temporary period of time, and then let it naturally gather points from the users who see it.
I appreciate the author's point, but it's not like selling the diploma prevents him from saying he went to Harvard, nor does it allow the purchaser to claim that they did themselves..
Which in my experience is something that people who went to these institutions will do, constantly. Goes down incredibly well in countries where the the idea of tiers has yet to catch on.
We could use some perspective on what's likely to happen next. It's not coming from that source.
Yes, on one level that's fraud, and selling prestige fraud is a grift.
But inclusion and amplification rely on the same emotional operation of using one's platform and assets to jump start a story for others. So in the most generous telling there is some credit here for the intent.
But only some.
Whatever one thinks of Harvard, whatever one thinks of the prestige industrial complex, the actual proposal here is not a transaction any responsible person should participate in on either side. And if I were the issuer, if I were Harvard, I would revoke this credential.
And then we would see the true weight of this prestige proof in the eyes of its former holder.
I appreciate the author's point, but it's not like selling the diploma prevents him from saying he went to Harvard, nor does it allow the purchaser to claim that they did themselves..
Or they need to maintain their income to continue their lifestyle.
I am not particularly passionate about my job as a sysadmin. I don't hate it, but it would be nice to just spend all day skateboarding or playing Starcraft.
But, I have aging parents to take care of. Housing prices have skyrocketed around me. This is what I need to do to maintain a certain level of security, and indeed luxury, for myself and my close family.
And this isn't weird.
Go back 3-5 generations to when half of the population was employed in agriculture. Was everyone passionate about cows? Potatoes?
The reality is, I have a better shot at following my passion by trying to get into FAANG and working there for 10-20 years so that I can then pursue the things that I am personally passionate about.
I appreciate the author's point, but it's not like selling the diploma prevents him from saying he went to Harvard, nor does it allow the purchaser to claim that they did themselves..
I had the same reaction. Yes, it’s good to try to find meaningful work (a point well made my the author). Selling your Harvard diploma doesn’t seem to have any relationship to that point, other than giving an excuse to repeatedly remind the reader that you went to Harvard. Which seems contrary to the message of the piece.
Correct. A Harvard graduate can't wait to slip that into conversation. I don't even know how to respond when they mention studying CS there - I mean, there are better universities for that, but I haven't responded with, "Oh, you couldn't get into MIT?" :)
(I worked for a Harvard CS grad once. He made sure I'd never forget it.)
There is an emotional truth here- to free yourself of your credential by recasting it as someone else's- Yes, on one level that's fraud, and selling prestige fraud is a grift. But inclusion and amplification rely on the same emotional operation of using one's platform and assets to jump start a story for others. So in the most generous telling there is some credit here for the intent. But only some. Whatever one thin…
There is an emotional truth here- to free yourself of your credential by recasting it as someone else's- Yes, on one level that's fraud, and selling prestige fraud is a grift. But inclusion and amplification rely on the same emotional operation of using one's platform and assets to jump start a story for others. So in the most generous telling there is some credit here for the intent. But only some. Whatever one thin…
He's selling a piece of paper that belongs to him. There's no fraud here.
He offers to rewrite the name with that of the buyer.
And while the paper "belongs" to him, in reality that paper is a credential issued by Harvard, and the source of truth for credential holders is Harvard, not the holders/subjects.
All colleges maintain lists of credential holders.
An attempt to verify the ownership and subject of the credential- which happens quite often, many mid to high level employment offers, all background checks, etc, perform this verification- using the buyer's name, fraudulently rewritten on the piece of paper- will fail.
Issuing fraudulent credentials of various kinds and advertising them as valid...is fraud.
And if you don't think so...I've got a bridge to sell you.
Cheers.