Harvard University has announced a new focus on the discovery of truth and the stimulation of scientific and technological progress. Consistent with this initiative, Michael Gibson and Danielle Strachman of 1517 Fund will serve as co-presidents. Peter Thiel will join the board.
Thiel is well-known for, among many other things, the Thiel Fund, which provides funding to creative people who choose a career path not including college. The 1517 Fund is a venture capital fund focused on non-traditional founders.
This date–April 1, 2024–will be long remembered for this very significant announcement.
Ha!
The Harvard board is however suppressing the news of their plans for Harvard-branded ice cream and frozen yogurt kiosks in all major markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, with expanded distribution to other regions beginning in the first quarter of 2025. Surprising, because Harvard is really better known for its tacos, but I suppose that market is saturated.
Normally I would be rather cynical about this but if Peter Thiel is involved…
Read in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that applications to Harvard were down 10% last year
Bill…Thiel, Gibson, and Strachman have all been involved in developing & promoting career paths which are alternatives to regular ‘higher education’, and the education establishment doesn’t like it at all.
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2023-12-12-how-a-billionaire-s-fellowship-spread-skepticism-about-college-s-value
Note the comment by Larry Summers.
1517 Fund is named for the year in which Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door. Here is their new 95, intended for nailing (metaphorical or not) to the doors of American universities:
https://www.1517fund.com/post/the-new-95
Harvard’s early decision applications were down 17% and present applications are down 5%.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2023/12/19/early-applications-harvard-drop-substantially
Good one.