Learning How to Practice Medicine—Virtually

Roth was reviewing Kevin Carey’s new book, The End of College, which likewise foresees an "apocalyptic," Silicon Valley-esque "hacking" of higher education in the U.S.—particularly when it comes to the country’s so-called "cathedrals of learning" (e.g., highly exclusive universities such as Yale). Roth, who sees deep flaws with the book’s logic, quotes Carey as writing, "those that cannot change will disappear. The story of higher education’s future is a tale of ancient institutions in their last days of decadence, creating the seeds of a new world to come." According to Roth, there’s no way technology will disrupt the college system to the point of extinction. Ultimately, he argues, students still find value in studying and working face-to-face rather than watching "what happens from a distance on screen."