I might be speaking out of my ass but the way I think is that one way of learning isn't the only way. I like the scientific method but I think maybe our learning is steeped in white supremacy and imperialism. It assumes that the only advancements comes from Europe and everyone else are just superstitious rubes that don't know anything, happen to get lucky, or needed help. Even nowadays I remembered western doctors down playing the warnings coming from let's say Vietnam about covid.

As for institutions here they exist because and for legitimizing capitalism. Mainly thinking about funding both who can go there and who controls what research to be done. I know peeps can get loans and grants but wonder if this gets them invested in the current system in order to pay off debt, I know most of my friends have to take any job now.

Full disclosure the highest I could go was community college, ran out of financial aid and dropped out since I didn't wanna do loans. I still try to think and learn but it's not easy and I get where you coming from. Once again I don't wanna discredit your work or experiences it's just truthfully I'm a little envious of you and other peeps that got to go to higher learning. Maybe this is where those dunking on higher learning are coming from but I'm just speculating.