I don't think it's as black and white as everyone _needing_ to be entertained. It's just a method.
Ok, my comment was probably a bit harsh - the point stands, though. The discipline it takes to sit through a class that isn't fun and entertaining, and learn material that is useful but dry, is the discipline that will make you stand out from the crowd.
...valuing a piece of paper acquired by any means over actual subject matter knowledge
Oh wait - you mean, like 99.9% of employers and the entire US "higher-learning" education system? It's not him at all that has the problem - quite the opposite, in fact. Sounds like he knows exactly what the piece of paper is worth, and just decided it wasn't worth signing over his arm and leg to get something that worthless. The only points I take issue with are the assumption that one needs a degree to get ahead in life (I don't have one and am doing just fine, thank you - and I'm not an anomaly in my field), and the small quibble that he probably could have gotten a straight-up associates from a community college for about the same money.
I go on working for the same reason a hen goes on laying eggs. -- H.L. Mencken