Reynolds' Law

Reynolds' Law, not to be confused with Reynolds Number.

Subsidizing the markers of status doesn’t produce the character traits that result in that status; it undermines them.

This comes from a year and a half old post at The View from Alexandria.  The larger quote from Professor Reynolds was:

The government decides to try to increase the middle class by subsidizing things that middle class people have: If middle-class people go to college and own homes, then surely if more people go to college and own homes, we’ll have more middle-class people. But homeownership and college aren’t causes of middle-class status, they’re markers for possessing the kinds of traits — self-discipline, the ability to defer gratification, etc. — that let you enter, and stay, in the middle class. Subsidizing the markers doesn’t produce the traits; if anything, it undermines them.

Food for thought.  Which end of the telescope are we using to view this issue?

Regards  —  Cliff