'Tommy Lee Goes To College'... and so do too many others

I watched both back-to-back episodes of NBC's 'Tommy Lee Goes To College' last night and really enjoyed the light entertainment — Lee was a major musical role model in my youth (yeah, I know, but I'm stressing musical role model; he's a great drummer). But during the show, I was once again reminded of something I've discovered over the past decade or so: too many people feel the need to go to college.

Tommy Lee has no business attending a university, but he actually knows it; he's just doing it for a reality TV show, to promote his new solo album, and to meet chicks. But too many others — who like Lee have no real interest in academics and whose talents lie elsewhere — crowd today's universities because for some reason, 'everybody has to go to college.'

Wrong. That's why a BS degree in 2005 is really no better than a high-school diploma 30 years ago. College degrees are a dime a dozen, and basically don't mean jack anymore.

Tommy Lee has toured the world for over 20 years, sold nearly 40 million albums, and is a successful, talented, unique, and iconic character (in some circles). He didn't even need a high school diploma — he didn't need school, and school didn't need him. School isn't always the answer, and in many cases, attending school when you have no business being there just lowers the 'equity' of education for those who want to — and can — make the very most of it.