on being a sellout

i just came across this quote from bill waterson, creator of calvin and hobbes, that has eased a minor burden that's been on my mind for the past few days:

"Selling out is usually more a matter of buying in. Sell out, and you're really buying into someone else's system of values, rules and rewards."

in other words, if i do decide to pursue jobs at for-profit education companies, i won't necessarily be selling out as long as i don't buy into the values system that makes privatization okay. if i learn as much as i think i can learn from working there, without losing my sense of what's fair and right for all kids, i can avoid being a huge sellout. i think i knew this all along, but it's just nice to see it articulated in such an elegant way.