Within the framework of analyzing the educational process, several aspects can be highlighted that allow the phrase "selling the mind" to be interpreted as an indication that in educational institutions the primary focus is on the traditional accumulation and transmission of knowledge—often at the expense of the teacher's individuality and the depth of the student's personal development.

Commodification of Knowledge: A Critique of Traditional Education

Within the framework of analyzing the educational process, several aspects can be highlighted that allow the phrase "selling the mind" to be interpreted as an indication that in educational institutions the primary focus is on the traditional accumulation and transmission of knowledge—often at the expense of the teacher's individuality and the depth of the student's personal development. In other words, the educational process becomes an inhuman mechanical mechanism, where the teacher merely functions as a provider of pre-selected educational material, with personal qualities and creative potential remaining beyond the scope of interest.

As noted in one of the sources, "when solving the problem, it is assumed that the transfer of knowledge to the student and the development of professional skills is done in traditional ways. … The teacher’s personality is often left out of consideration. Only functional requirements are demanded of him—the selection of educational material, the organization of the learning process within the framework of the subject taught, and the possession of personal experience in the activity he is supposed to impart to the students. It should be noted that in this case the main role is attributed to the educational technologies mastered by the teacher, not to his personal qualities" (source: link txt).

Such an approach, where standardized technologies and predetermined content are prioritized, indicates that the educational system essentially "sells the mind" by transmitting knowledge as a commodity rather than as a means for comprehensive personal development. In other words, this expression criticizes the impersonal educational process, wherein the individual is reduced to a recipient of a pre-packaged set of knowledge, thus depriving him of the opportunity for deeper, creative inquiry—a potential that could be realized in a more flexible, personality-oriented environment.

Supporting citation(s):
"When solving the problem, it is assumed that the transfer of knowledge to the student and the development of professional skills is done in traditional ways. … The teacher’s personality is often left out of consideration. Only functional requirements are demanded of him…" (source: link txt).

Thus, the phrase "selling the mind" reflects a criticism of the traditional approach to education, where an emphasis on standardized educational technologies and the structure of the process causes personally meaningful development to fall by the wayside.