A brand or political platform built solely on opposition to a competitor (e.g., "not being Trump") is not a sustainable winning strategy. It only mobilizes an existing base. To attract undecided voters, a brand must present its own optimistic, forward-looking vision and concrete ideas for growth and improvement.
In brand strategy, market leaders should avoid frequent references to their competition. Doing so cedes ground and frames the conversation around the competitor's terms. True market leadership is demonstrated by setting the agenda with an optimistic, independent vision, rather than reacting to others.
Fueled by rankings that reward selectivity, top universities operate like luxury brands (e.g., LVMH) rather than public servants. They intentionally limit freshman class sizes despite having massive endowments. This manufactured scarcity increases their prestige and rankings, creating an "upward death spiral" of exclusivity.
Blanket student debt forgiveness can unintentionally increase education prices. It creates a moral hazard where students and families are less likely to shop for the best value, assuming future debt might also be forgiven. This lack of consumer price sensitivity allows universities to raise tuition without consequence.
Higher education dramatically improves income, health, and civic outcomes. If it were a pill with these effects, hoarding it would be seen as a moral failure. Yet elite universities, by restricting admissions despite vast resources, are effectively hoarding this life-changing 'drug,' limiting social mobility.
Despite the intense focus on STEM, the most rapidly expanding role in the tech sector is communications. As technology becomes more complex and integrated into society, the ability to write well, craft a compelling narrative, and communicate effectively has become an essential and highly valued skill.