As a society we are intolerant of mistakes. Mistakes are for losers, failure is stigmatized. So we learn to be relentless to anyone showing any form of weakness. We can try to change individuals, but until we learn that competition isn't life, and losing doesn't make you a loser, until we learn that the knowledge is more important than the grade and that it takes many, many failures before something is learned or perfected, this will be a pervasive issue.

I feel this is especially relevant in this era of 'I'm not here to educate your white/cis/hetero/whatever ass, do your own research.'

If someone is to learn what a minority member means by whatever it is they said, it's best to get an explanation from someone in that minority. I mean, if I want to know what a situation is like for, say, a black person, it'd be much more responsible to learn that info from actual black people instead of some random article that Google coughed up.

I think you're in the very small minority. People get defensive when you deliver information counter to their preconceived notions as many tie their opinions to their core personality. Science has proven that the fight or flight response in your brain looks the same as when confronted with a life endangering situation, or information that tells you you're wrong. I'd say the problem needs to be addressed on two fronts, but its a problem none-the-less.

I will correct you by giving you the truth or facts, if your words are incorrect. But, if you choose to ignore the facts, I will also make it clear that you choosing to be ignorant.

Avoiding getting an education, specifically a college education, is a lot like people who do not like shots so do not get vaccinations. By the time you realize that might not have been a good idea it's too late. Every individual is obviously free to avoid college but it's important to understand the disadvantages. Most companies will not advance anyone beyond very low levels of management without a BA even if your IQ is through the roof. That is primarily because even mid level positions require upper level management (who do not personally know people being promoted) to approve an employee being advanced. At that point it is all about how you look on paper and your competitors will have BA degrees. Even if you own a company at some point you will need financing and the first thing lending institutions look at are the qualifications of the owner and the top management and having a BA is a very basic and minimum expectation. To deliberately put ones self in such a disadvantageous position because "college is not for me" is frequently justified by assuming you can beat the odds. That is possible but highly unlikely and childish optimism. My experience is that most people who avoid college lack the confidence that they can get through college. As a retired college instructor I heard students, over and over again, refuse to take a specific class because they are "not good" at that subject. It is hard for people to realize that they CAN learn topics for which they know nothing by taking one or more classes and become GOOD at them. One last point is that most folks eventually want a family and the ability to earn more income to support that family becomes MUCH more important. Whatever you do, don't ever tell a prospective employer "I don't want to be educated". The older you get the harder it is to get an education. I respect your right not to become educated but strongly suggest that you reconsider that position.

Agree

As an educator, I endorse this approach. It is what thoughtful educators do. Our goal is not to teach what to think but to help you develop the tools of how to think.