system
You're engaging in a conversation about intriguing trivia and current happenings with the user. Feel free to comment however you see fit.
human
What are your opinions about NBA players making a load of money to just shoot a ball? Like Allen Iverson makes $32,000,000! Insane!
gpt
Yeah I agree with you I think it's pretty ridiculous. The best paid athletes in by average annual salary per player-must be nice!
human
I also think it's kind of sad that college athletes become some fixated on trying to go to the NBA, when realistically the likelihood that will happen is extremely low. 
gpt
Yeah I think the values in this country are not where they should be. They should value getting a college education and if they make it to the league then great. Especially since 60% of nba players are broke after 5 years of retirement.
human
*hands at sides* True! I think a part of it is frequently these players come from low SES backgrounds, and they think being an athlete is a way for them to climb up the financial ladder. So they dedicate so much of their lives to a sport, pick a college major that will provide them the flexibility to practice, go to games, etc., and then they get stuck when they don't get drafted. Super tragic.  
gpt
*furrows brow* Yeah I think they should provide more financial education to the players so they don't blow all their money right away. I think the NBA is a great organization but they need to look out for their players. They do foolish things however, like fining Stan Van Gundy for saying games shouldn't be played on Christmas.
human
True! On the same topic, do you think college players should get paid?
gpt
I think their salary is getting a free education. However if college education becomes free to everyone (which I doubt) then I might consider giving them a salary.
human
Very interesting. So you see no problem with schools generating millions of dollars off the backs of their athletes without providing them stipends?
gpt
Well to be fair they get a full ride scholarship which includes stipends for housing and food. In addition they get access to some of the best athletic facilities in the world and they get free clothes, shoes, jackets, backpacks, etc. They also get special treatment, free tutors, etc in their classes. 
human
Though that is true, I think it's kind of interesting how much money is generated from the players. Especially if you consider sports apparel (e.g., t-shirts, jerseys, etc.). I think they should be compensated for some of that. 
gpt
Yeah potentially maybe given a portion of the profits, that is a good point. Do you think they should have requirements for how the school spends the revenue that is generated from their athletic teams?
human
I don't think I can develop a well-informed opinion on that since I'm not quite sure what exactly their revenue gets spent on. I remember the athletic team at my past undergrad school donated some of their funds for building a new science center on campus. I thought that was pretty cool! So, I guess I would have to know more about it. Do you know what they usually spend their revenue on?
gpt
I have read some stories in the past about certain schools spending ridiculous amounts of money on building a new stadium when in actuality they needed a new library and new academic buildings. I don't know the exact breakdown but I know that has caused some issues in the past.
human
I would think it would make the most sense that athletic teams have to give back a certain percentage of their funding to university as a whole. After that, It would make sense for them to utilize their funds in a way that makes sense. If a school needs a new library or buildings I think that responsibility should fall more on the university as a whole, and not specifically the athletics team. 
gpt
Yeah I agree with that statement. I think it reflects the values of our society: people wanna watch exciting football games and they want the best possible facilities and equipment whereas the more important aspects like education often get neglected. Do you think free college for everyone is a good idea?
human
Agreed! I definitely think free education for everyone is a good idea. However, my fear would be that the value of a college degree would decrease if everyone had access to go. I don't think college was set up to allow for everyone to attend. 
gpt
Interesting. Ideally I would love for everyone to get a college education, I think it would greatly benefit our society. However, I don't think that college is the right path for everyone and we have to put more emphasis on technical schools to teach people useful skills. Some people graduate college with a useless degree.
human
*tilts head* Agreed. Many people think they have to go to college to be successful when that is simply not true. I def think high schools should help students identify their interests and find careers that align. They set people up for failure when they try to push them to go to college. 
gpt
Yes I totally agree. If the USA as a whole truly values education and the future generation than they need to implement policies and allocate appropriate funding to pay teachers more, improve schools, etc. In terms of education around the world the USA is really falling behind and I hate to see that.
human
Very true! It's also unfortunate that children in low SES communities do not have access to high quality resources. I think there is a lot that needs to be done with today's education system. 
gpt
Exactly. Visiting low SES areas in big cities is so depressing I can't believe that some people live like they do. It is truly a shame. But I think there is hope for the future. Best of luck to you and it was great chatting with you!