A college degree is less important now due to technology & alternative learning options. Intelligence is not solely measured by a degree as it encompasses various skills. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity & adaptability are examples of intelligence that can be demonstrated through different means.
Technology may be a part of the problem with colleges, but we have had books for a long time that people could read from, so people have had the opportunity to teach themselves for a while now. It seems like the main issue these days is the lack of professionalism at colleges. As long as these deplorable institutions refuse to apologize for promoting violence against me, I will take a strong stand against stem. The only reason why people would opt for college degrees as the main method of demonstrating intelligence, work ethic, and moral goodness etc, is because they lack the intelligence, work ethic, and moral goodness to judge people on what they truly know and what they can truly do.
-Joseph Van Name Ph.D.