In Friday’s Times David Brooks quotes extensively from a paper from one of his students, Victoria Buhler.
I’m not sure if this is Bohler’s or Brooks’ point, or perhaps it is Brooks paraphrasing Bohler: “Moreover, today’s students harbor the anxiety that in the race for global accomplishment, they may no longer be the best competitors. Chinese students spend 12-hour days in school, while American scores are middle of the pack.”

(Read the complete article here.)

There is something awkward about a student who harbors the illusion that he is the best competitor because of the country where he lives in. But perhaps I’m naïve.

Father: “Son, you are not good at math. Mother and I will send you to a boarding school in China. There you will learn to be a contender.”

Son: “Thank you, father. I know this is quite an investment for you, but I won’t disappoint you. I will be more Chinese than the Chinese.”

Father: “God bless you son. Never forget where you come from. You come from a family that is proud to breed the best competitors.”

Economists know that migration is the most efficient way to fight poverty. Perhaps migration is also the most efficient way to raise your IQ.

The best school may not be in your neighborhood, it may not be in your state, it may not even be in your country.