Comic #2635: 2012-08-03

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Description

Title: THE COLLEGE PARADOX

The graphic depicts a simple line graph with the following details:

• X-axis (horizontal): Labeled "AGE" with numerical values ranging from 10 to 90.

• Y-axis (vertical): The values are not labeled but indicate two trends.

• Two lines are presented:

  • The red line represents: "CONFIDENCE IN RECEIVED WISDOM FROM A SMALL NUMBER OF BOOKS." This line rises sharply in the teenage years, peaks around the early 20s, and then gradually declines until around the age of 70.
  • The blue line represents: "REJECTION OF AUTHORITY." This line starts low in the teenage years, rises steadily in the 20s, peaks around age 30, and then slowly declines throughout life.

The overall impression suggests a contrasting relationship between confidence in received wisdom and rejection of authority across different ages.