The Duggars and CollegePlus

[cookderosa]

I have over 1400 posts on this forum. That's what I'm doing for free. I thought that would be obvious. I also participate in other education forums that are read by hundreds of people on top of helping people with their degree plans in direct messages. I've spent countless hours putting together TESC degree plans for everyone to read on this forum and the Degree Forum Wiki in addition to researching free and low cost options for obtaining credit even though I've already completed my undergraduate degrees. I've answered way more questions on this forum than I've asked FOR FREE!

I think this is a good discussion, because it brings in the ethics of proprietary information vs free information, and I know I personally thought long and hard about the ethics of selling what I know. (my book royalty is about $3 per copy. You can do the math for how long it would take ME to earn $3000)

Anyway, Sanatone is right on an important point. I also think >1000 posts validates a person's altruistic motivation. Anyone sticking around that long and posting that often isn't only answering questions, they are contributing. I earned my degree in 2008 from TESC, and Brad Voeller's book was the spark- I tell everyone that (I know personally of 3-4 people who bought his book on my recommendation!) I think you should give credit where credit is due. I've also said here and in my book that I owe my degree to this forum, and I'm not exaggerating, I'm being absolutely serious. I don't know how many times I've replied vs asked a question, but there are plenty of good people here with a ratio of giving > taking. In my book, the first thing I do is direct people here.

In my view, which is just that- mine, I don't think there is a right and wrong answer here, but... I think the distinction is when you give someone tools vs when you make them believe you are the provider of access. I think that this forum, Dr. Bear's book, my book, etc., are good because they give a motivated person the tools and enough direction to get going on the right path. There is no financial incentive behind WHICH path THEY choose, rather the cost is simply in providing the tool (flash cards/web site for IC, printing and shipping costs for a book, etc). CP has added "courses" to their product list, just sayin...

The only issue I have with CP is that they give me the impression that they hold a secret, and by paying $$$$$ you'll get access that other people don't have. I don't like that motive. I like that they are a Christian company, I just don't like that they exploit it to prey on parent's insecurities. It implies that something in the way that THEY usher you through the Sociology CLEP is "more" inline with your doctrine than than the "other" ways out there.... anyway, not intended to be a rant, sorry about that! We get lots of CP people here, I'm wondering if CP is referring or if they are just being resourceful?