Oxford was founded before the First Crusade. Cambridge before the Magna Carta. Harvard is older than Louis XIV.

Universities are some of our most long-lived institutions. They have survived the rise and fall of empires. They are extremely resilient and resistant to change.

Founder, The Roots of Progress (rootsofprogress.org). I write about the history of technology and the philosophy of progress. Former tech founder.

Worth noting that universities evolved a lot during that time—especially in the 19th century, when the “research university” model was developed

(This is neither a praise nor a criticism of universities, nor is it a commentary on any current events)