Web-based Incomes, Global Opportunities, & Changing Educational Expectations
Okay, so it has been what, 9 months since I last posted on this blog? Perhaps it’s time to return.
Here’s a topic that came across my mind today: Web-based incomes, global opportunities, & changing educational expectations. Some of you know that I left librarianship to be an expat in Buenos Aires.
What I’m really curious about are teenagers with Web-based incomes and global opportunities. If you’re 17 and making $1k a month from some type of online income (blogging revenue, affiliate marketing, SEO work, etc), then you can afford to move to many parts of the world, particularly Latin America or southeast Asia and live very comfortably. Presumably, you would continue investing your time and energy into more entrepreneurial Web activities in order to diversify your revenue streams. In this scenario, for these kids, what is the role of college?
Sure there’s that wonderful idea of being a learned person (and I fully support that) but, seriously, any of us who have worked in higher education knows sadly that most students are in college to prepare them for the workplace, to earn a living, that’s their motivation.
But if you’re a teenager with already a good income and bright prospect for more, all without that college degree, then what’s your incentive to spend four or more years at a university?
If you’re a parent, what would you say to your teenager who just informed you that he’s skipping college, taking his Web-based income and moving to Buenos Aires or Thailand?
August 5th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I would say go kids. I encourage them to follow their projects by telling them they are free to do what they want, while they are young, self confident kids, and with high expectations I couldn’t stop them or frustrate their dreams and potential. This is a challenging world, and time really worth. College is not an option for everybody!… But, I don’t have kids yet.
August 6th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Hi Adri, thanks for your comment!
August 7th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
You’re welcome Jeff, keep posting! I’ve found your outstanding blog by chance, while looking for English writers living in Argentine.
By the way, why you considered just Buenos Aires or Thailand? As you know living in Buenos Aires is so fancy and different than living in other cities of Argentina, and Thailand has diverse cities too… how about Madagascar, Peru, or Philippines?
August 7th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hi Adri - well, BsAs and Thailand were just examples off the top of my head. BsAs since I live here and Thailand since it has been on my mind lately. But, you’re right, there are many, many countries where one can live quite comfortably on an income that would be ridiculously low in the US or the UK.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Yes, that’s right, but lately, in BsAs it’s not as ridiculous low as other cities in Argentine, or in other South America countries, and if you are a foreign person, you have the risk to be charged more than the normal price…
August 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am
I’d say: “Awesome, can I visit?” — good to see your online writing again. How is the book coming?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Hi Jeff,
I’d also say go for it! Our little baby Maya always sees me typing at the computer and she’s a pretty good mimic at moving her hands like she’s typing so they are starting younger all the time! I really do think web based businesses/infrastructures are also the way of the future! I think you’d also be surprised at what’s happening in our libraries (Florida SUS) and the huge switches occuring from print to electronic (cancelling massive print subscriptions). Everything’s going web. I suppose its also all about systematizing, building the right infrastructure and at the right time, capitalizing, making it turnkey and then doing what you want with your life as the checks and passive income hopefully comes in!
Ahh, if only it were that easy!
Still Lost in Libraryland,
Ray