Thanks to a post by Emma of Missapropos, I'm now thinking about the fact that I have never been a college student.
I take a certain pride in the fact that "all" I've got is a high school diploma. I know that I should be sitting here drooling on my keyboard because I'm one of the "unwashed masses", but I just can't seem to bring my IQ down far enough to pull it off.
I've had many fine debates with those of the "upper crust" wherein I've been able to completely decimate thier talking points, or at least been able to shock them so much that they were unable to argue with me anymore. Should I take as much sheer glee from these situations as I do? Probably not, but It's awful entertaining.
What follows is a conversation between myself and two of my (college educated) former peers:
(The discussion at the time was concerning our Second Amendment Rights)
Me: I'd be happy if everyone in America was given a Firearm tomorrow.
Both peers: (Laughing) are you nuts?
Me: No. I'm absolutely serious.
Peer #1: I can't believe you just said that!
Peer #2: Don't you realize how many people would be killed overnight?
Me: Oh yes I do, and I think that if you're stupid enough to draw down on someone you know is armed, then I'm glad you're dead. Get the Fuck out of my gene pool!
Peer #2: I think that's the crudest thing you've ever said!
Me: maybe so, but that's what I believe.
I think this is a fine example of independent thinking. I have my opinions, that I've gained from the most noteworthy of all educational institutions: The school of Hard Knocks. If any of these people had ever been on the wrong end of a gun, I believe that they took the wrong lesson away from the incident. Niether of them had anything further to add to the subject, whereas I still had a few things "waiting in the wings" for them if they chose to pursue the subject. All they seemed to have is thier educational conditioning, and I had a fully formed opinion.
If that's what college does for you, then count me out.
Another thing to remember...It's not the age, it's the mileage.
Posted by Johnny - Oh at April 11, 2004 03:44 AM"It's not the age, it's the mileage."
In that case, I'm not 39, I'm 417. Bwhah!
Thanks for the linky-love, hon. When I was hiring for the bars I managed I'd say: I'll take a no-nonsense non-college-graduate anyday. They generally know a helluva lot more about common sense than the average BA. Plus, they're more deferential. Aheh.
Posted by: Emma at April 11, 2004 03:56 AMAfter I took the ASVAB in high school, the Air Force tried to recruit me based on my scores; I declined since I had my heart set on going to college. I was just wondering the other day what I'd be doing today if I'd gone with the Air Force...
Posted by: Susie at April 11, 2004 09:08 AMGee Emma,
I would have sworn that you weren't a day over 342. ;)
Think nothing of the Linky Love. I always try to give credit when someone sparks an idea.
Susie,
Yeah, it's amazing to think about all the little choices that stack up to make a life. I think we all have to do the "what if" thing from time to time.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at April 11, 2004 01:40 PMOf college, I will say this: there's nothing taught there that you can't learn from the public library for a lot less.
Posted by: Harvey at April 12, 2004 10:30 AMHarvey, but the Public Library doesn't give you a degree or diploma. The unfortunate truth is that employers aren't interested in working to find out what you know, but, rather, whether or not you can prove it so they don't have to bother with finding out. Often a diploma speaks louder than words. :(
Posted by: Tuning Spork at April 14, 2004 10:27 PMGotta give it to you there Spork. I'm sure that it has something to do with why I'm working in retail, instead of the tech industry where I belng. It's a sad testament to our times, when you can't find anyone who'll give you a chance without a stupid piece of paper.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at April 15, 2004 02:11 AM"The definition of an intellectual is someone who has more education than intelligence" (quote I stole from somewhere I can't remember)
I know what you mean Johnny. I screwed myself out of college (I really did NOT have my head on straight back when I was 18).
I may wear a shirt with my name on it, but you could take a someone with a masters degree in engineering and it would still take them 5 years or more to learn to do my job properly. That's why where I work when the recession was at it's worst 50% of our engineers got laid off while I got cut down to 40 hours a week from working 55.
Yeah Grau,
I think nothing speaks more about a person than their work experience. An accredation from a reputable institution is merely something that says you know how to answer the questions that the teacher wanted. Not, something that says what you can actually do. (I still want one, it opens doors and all that.)
You know the old wheeze about "people rising to the level of their incompetence"? That applies to those engineers you spoke of. If they were really worth anything, they'd still be there.
Thanks for the comment.
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