Ep 6. College

In season 3 episode 6 of Penn and Teller Bullshit, titled College, Penn and Teller tackle the controversial topic of higher education. The episode questions the high cost of tuition, the value of a degree in today’s job market, and the overall effectiveness of a college education.

The episode begins with Penn and Teller expressing their own personal experiences with college. While Penn went to clown college and Teller went to mime school, both agree that their current success in showbiz has little to do with their formal education. They then introduce several experts and college professors who provide different viewpoints and statistics on higher education.

One of the experts interviewed is Richard Vedder, an economist and author who argues that the current system of higher education is unsustainable. He points out that the cost of tuition has increased over 1000% in the past few decades, with little to no increase in the quality of education or job prospects for graduates. Vedder also criticizes the role of government in artificially inflating the value of college degrees, creating a culture where students feel obligated to go to college, even if it doesn’t necessarily benefit them financially.

Another expert interviewed is Bryan Caplan, an economist who argues that college education has little to no impact on job performance or earning potential. He advocates for an alternative system where students can acquire specialized skills through apprenticeships, vocational schools, and online courses, rather than wasting time and money on general education requirements.

Penn and Teller also interview several college students and recent graduates, who express mixed feelings on the value and purpose of their education. Some argue that college is necessary for personal growth and intellectual exploration, while others feel like they’ve accumulated debt without a clear path towards their desired career.

Throughout the episode, Penn and Teller use humor and magic to illustrate their points. They use a metaphor of a “golden ticket” to describe the illusion that a college degree guarantees success and happiness. They also perform a magic trick where they reveal the unimpressive job titles and salaries of several college graduates, highlighting the disconnect between expectations and reality.

Overall, Penn and Teller Bullshit’s College episode is a thought-provoking critique of the current state of higher education. While the show doesn’t necessarily offer a single solution to the issues presented, it encourages viewers to question the status quo and consider alternative paths towards success and fulfillment.