Comments on: The Grey Matter of Snake Heads http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/ No-nonsense China Expat & Travel Community Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:53:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Duofu http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2159 Duofu Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:39:16 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/01/14/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2159 Ok, I understand, but I still don't quite agree with your calculation, since those without degrees might see an increase in their wage with a 1000% as you described it, their further advancement is limited or nearly inexistant, while fresh univ grads will keep on moving (if they are at least a bit ambitious) increasing their wages throughout their lifetime and having more experiences in different kinds of jobs. So at the initial stage you are right but further down the line the difference in possibilities is humongous. Ok, I understand, but I still don’t quite agree with your calculation, since those without degrees might see an increase in their wage with a 1000% as you described it, their further advancement is limited or nearly inexistant, while fresh univ grads will keep on moving (if they are at least a bit ambitious) increasing their wages throughout their lifetime and having more experiences in different kinds of jobs.
So at the initial stage you are right but further down the line the difference in possibilities is humongous.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2152 Ryan Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:08:54 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/01/14/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2152 Duofu: Ya missed my point. I wasn't saying being unemployed with a degree is good. Obviously no money is no money. What I was saying was that these people, despite having to pay a big sum of money to get there, had a much better income than they did previously - more than most uni grads, and with less debt. John went on to say that he felt life was better with a degree, regardless. I tend to agree that having a higher education is better... but that was not the original point. Duofu: Ya missed my point. I wasn’t saying being unemployed with a degree is good. Obviously no money is no money. What I was saying was that these people, despite having to pay a big sum of money to get there, had a much better income than they did previously – more than most uni grads, and with less debt.

John went on to say that he felt life was better with a degree, regardless. I tend to agree that having a higher education is better… but that was not the original point.

]]> By: Duofu http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2149 Duofu Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:29:44 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/01/14/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-2149 Eh sorry Ryan, What is so good about being unemployed with a degree?? No money=No money and it sucks big time. Eh sorry Ryan,

What is so good about being unemployed with a degree?? No money=No money and it sucks big time.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-124 Ryan Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:58:33 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/01/14/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-124 I agree with ya John, and by no means was the post supposed to legitimize the whole 'snake head' concept - however, I think what the media does is lump all this together and forces a loss of perspective. They definitely portrayed the Chinese workers as having being taken advantage of - but if that's being taken advantage of... they're going to need a few more media outlets to cover the endless number of stories that would qualify. As for the longer end of the stick, perhaps. However, when it comes to sheer income vs. debt there's little question. Personally, I'd rather be unemployed with a degree than employed as a chicken catcher without one... but there's not much financial logic to it. I agree with ya John, and by no means was the post supposed to legitimize the whole ‘snake head’ concept – however, I think what the media does is lump all this together and forces a loss of perspective.

They definitely portrayed the Chinese workers as having being taken advantage of – but if that’s being taken advantage of… they’re going to need a few more media outlets to cover the endless number of stories that would qualify.

As for the longer end of the stick, perhaps. However, when it comes to sheer income vs. debt there’s little question. Personally, I’d rather be unemployed with a degree than employed as a chicken catcher without one… but there’s not much financial logic to it.

]]> By: John B http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/general/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-118 John B Sun, 14 Jan 2007 22:56:06 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/01/14/the-grey-matter-of-snake-heads/#comment-118 I would say that the one that pay $10K and make it to Canada (or the US, or Europe, or wherever) and are able to land real (if low paying) jobs and then pay back the money owed aren't the problem. It's the "let's just take their money and drop them off in the Arizona desert" or "here's a sewing machine and a few bucks a day, now get to work!" guys that need to be stopped. A reasonable work visa system for skilled or semi-skilled workers would do the trick, but politically it's a non-starter. And, though my only knowledge of canneries comes from Steinbeck (I assume lunch meat processing is basically the same), I'm pretty sure that by going to university I ended up with the long end of the stick. I would say that the one that pay $10K and make it to Canada (or the US, or Europe, or wherever) and are able to land real (if low paying) jobs and then pay back the money owed aren’t the problem. It’s the “let’s just take their money and drop them off in the Arizona desert” or “here’s a sewing machine and a few bucks a day, now get to work!” guys that need to be stopped. A reasonable work visa system for skilled or semi-skilled workers would do the trick, but politically it’s a non-starter.

And, though my only knowledge of canneries comes from Steinbeck (I assume lunch meat processing is basically the same), I’m pretty sure that by going to university I ended up with the long end of the stick.

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