Colourgenics thing everyone's doing

[cn_89]

Enough is enough - and you feel that you've had enough for a while. You don't need any more battles. You just would like to be able to shout 'stop' and experience a little peace and calm - even if it be only for a little while. This doesn't mean that you need to cut yourself off from the rest of the world - it just means that you are seeking some

Comments

[cjqsg]

"While it's completely alright to do that."

its not completely alright!?

even if we ignore moralistic arguments, joining reserch programs and not getting experience/skills/knowledge/fun out of it is not socially efficient because resources are not allocated to those who can make best use of them.

(unless you wish to make the assumption that these people are deserving candidates for scholarships, and participating in these research programmes will help them get these scholarships.)

[cn_89]

Hm you're right maybe it's not alright. However

[jez_hex]

I don't think it's just a 'best use' thing. The value of these projects are often overrated by scholarship boards and stuff like that. This misrepresentation inevitably results in inefficiencies, e.g. people may get assigned tasks for supposedly competent researchers, but they are unable to meet expectations. And perhaps it would be more efficient to reduce the number of places offered, but this would not be done unless the relevant people have an accurate idea of the real impact of the programme. But yeah I think you're right in saying that it's not intolerably inefficent.

[cn_89]

"The value of these projects are often overrated by scholarship boards and stuff like that."

I agree. And I think that is one of the reasons why these programs are so inefficient. And this causes people to go for it for the wrong reason - not to learn, but to gain advantage over others (who do not participate in such programs) in getting scholarships or things like that.