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You can't learn about life in school. You have to live it!

I know first hand. I went to college for many years (while I worked). I have several degrees, licenses, and many certifications. It seems the more I learned in college, the more common sense I lost.

I taught at a junior college. I also taught doctors, nurses, and paramedics at a university medical simulation lab. About as real an experience as you could ever hope for, in the "sterile" environment of a university. Still it was only "make believe." Most professors I know don't have a clue about the "real" world. They have never lived in it.

Dave H.

... in response to School, posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Dave, life teaches you about life, not school, however I also agree with Westerngirl, having a formal education is not just a fun way to piss away some of daddy's money, it does offer some very valuable learning and life experiences for young people. I wouldn't have traded my five years away at engineering school for anything. I worked my way through, though, doing all sorts of jobs from truck driver, security guard, commercial fisherman, construction work etc, etc. That was pre "student loan" days.(actually they had them but they were means tested and if your folks made too much, you were SOL)

Just curious, Westerngirl, what behooved you to post here, and continue to post, bordem? You haven't been like many of the young women who just come on to call us neanderthal MCPs - but have offered polite, thoughtful responses, considering your age and experience.

-- Jeff S.

... in response to Re: School & Western Girl, posted by Jeff S on Jan 23, 2001

I'm working on an independent project,

... in response to Re: Re: School & Western Girl, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Why do I get the feeling there is another up and coming one sided story to hit the press about fat, ugly, bald, old perverts taking advantage of innocent MOB's? Larry.

... in response to UH-OH!!, posted by shadow on Jan 23, 2001

It's basically a thing on interracial dating.  No biggie  Dunno if I'm going to finish it.  not for school or anything

... in response to Uhhh noooo, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

My wife is Japanese, from a well-to-do family, and a couple of years older than I. I'm mixed hebrew and southern white bread American.

... in response to Re: Re: School & Western Girl, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Can you fill us in on it?

... in response to School, posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

Oh so it's good to sit around and watch television, only understanding the "dummy" jokes?  You know, going to school and studying history, politics, etc...can help you understand "The Simpsons" a whole lot better than your average person.

... in response to Re: School, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Formal education is great. For many occupations it is beneficial or required. Just don't be mistaken into believing that it teaches you more about life than understanding the Simpsons. May I suggest entering the military? Get an education and learn about the real world.

I think that you will be disappointed when you get your degree. Just because you have a degree, you are still no better than anyone else. Who is going to grow the food that you cook for your kids? Your PHD'd professor? If everyone had a degree and refused to work at jobs beneath their level of education, crap would literally pile up. Thank God for the "little" men and women. Your children's nanny might be a poor uneducated woman from Mexico. Your kids will love her like their mother. She will teach them all you believe to be unholy. They will probably be happy.

I know my points are mute. You have already been brainwashed and are now an "academic zombie." Junior, right? Ring the bell...salivate. Push the button or get a shock. Thank God (who I believe in) I awoke from the coma before it was too late.

"Nietzsche was stupid and abnormal."
                      Leo Tolstoy

That only took me about a grand to learn. Well worth every penny.

Professor Dave H.

... in response to Understanding The Simpsons, posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

Do you know how to compare people's reaction to art work to modern day comparisons to the media?  Can you write a 2000 word paper on the benefits of Hong Kong being a British Colony?   Do you know why some artists paint/create what they did?  Maybe the political goings on at the time influenced them!  

For example, if you want to understand why politics in 20th century China was so corrupted, you must understand China's history and their relatively late adaptation of western style politics compared with Japan (that's why Japan's relatively stable now). If you went to school, and studied you can also argue that the early women's movement in Canada, at least was actually quite conservative.  Women's groups in late the late 19th century, for example were not asking for enfranchisement, but for prohibition.  These groups are much like the anti-violence groups of today. If you have any more questions, feel free to post.

... in response to Do you know art history?, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Hi Westerngrrl,

I don't pretend to know much about Asian art work or art work in general. I have little interest in it, other than its historical significance. However,I did spend several years studying art work on beer steins in the ratskeller. Often with my brother and our Korean professor, friend, and mentor Dr. C. :o) Another friend has a Master's Degree in Asian and Korean art. He lived in Asia for 5 years studying. He now owns a string of small gift shops that sell Beanie Babies. :o)

I was a history major (1 degree). Chinese history was one of my major areas of interest. As for 2,000 words...I have always had a hard time keeping papers and posts that short. Check the archives. :o))

Dave H.

... in response to Do you know art history?, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

So, you can impress your friends at parties by  
blathering on about Dali's motivations for painting the
"Metamorphoses of Narcissus," or by discussing
China's invasion into Tibet. That's all well in good but
how practical is that in real life? If you're traveling, sure,
it's good to have an understanding about how a culture
is affected by its history. But, don't think for a minute that
you can get all you need through college and
books...it's a solid background but you really won't start
taking shape in your career or as a person without
practical experience in the real world.

As far as the Simpsons go...I'd much rather hang with a
girl that  can hang and watch the simpsons as well as
discuss deep topics, than some girl who has to talk
politics and all these lofty topics all the time....can't
stand lofty people out to prove something with their
schooling.

Btw, just to throw a wrench into things...I went to a
community college as well as a trade school for audio
engineering. I found audio wasn't what I wanted to do
for a living and studied graphic/web design on my own.
This led to my current career as a web designer. When
I started out I was working with a bunch of people
(marketing) who graduated from Brown with honors....I
was making more than them so don't think that a
college degree is everything. In today's society, you'll
find experience is just as important. (My experience is
that an employer would be more apt to hire someone
who has the experience over some college grad who's
still wet-behind the-ears...less time training).

... in response to Does it really matter?, posted by Pete on Jan 23, 2001

Pete can you recommend a good free web page designer I can use to make a web site for my Philippine trip pics? The AOL free web page I have loads painfully slow if you don't have cable hookup. Thanks P.s my pics are scanned at 72dpi

... in response to Good post Pete!, posted by humabdos on Jan 23, 2001

Maybe try geocities. All the free ones are going to be
pretty slow, though.

... in response to Does it really matter?, posted by Pete on Jan 23, 2001

Depends on who you are, and where you went to school.  I attended a high school where 100% of its graduates go on to some sort of a degree program.  Not getting a degree is something that you just don't do.  For me, the ideal man must be from a good family with a decent income and a decent job.  I actually wouldnj't really consider a rich man who made his fortune at 24 if he was from the trailer park, no matter how good looking he is!

... in response to Re: Does it really matter?, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

You're pre-disposed about a person's status..."I could
never date him...he's from a trailer park...I know he
looks like Freddie Prinze Jr. and he's the nicest guy in
the world and owns his own internet startup
(Money!)....but...he's still beneath me....What would I tell
my friends? "  I just hope as you grow older, you
become a little wiser and little more open-minded...God
knows, how much I've changed from 21 to 27. Of
course, this all depends on your individual experiences.
Whatever, different strokes for different folks....you're
going to think what you want no matter what anyone
says.

... in response to That's your problem right there., posted by Pete on Jan 23, 2001

There's something called reputation.  Would someone from the Royal Family in any country marry someone from a trailer park?

... in response to Re: That's your problem right there., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Actually yes!

In most monarchies the members of the royal family are not allowed to marry without the consent of the king/Queen and the parliament. The parliament usually judges the girl/boyfriend and will investigate his/her entire family. If he/she can become a burden to the prince/princess in the future the parliament will usually disaprove of the engagement.

That said, there are many occurences of something similar... Before the second world war, the british king had to abdicate so that he could marry an american divorcee. The Norwegian crownprince is engaged to a woman with a child and a bad reputation... A danish prince was married to a secretary from Hong-Kong. Indeed his mother the danish queen was married to a french guy who's grandfather bought a title from the french government, and who was low middle class. We all know about the Princess Diana and Fergie...

Point is...Marrying below Your class is a common occurrence...And it seems that some people are even marrying for love.

regards,

... in response to It really depends, posted by Andy(Original) on Jan 24, 2001

But they're not too much below==below to a point that they don't understand the lifestyle at all-  Once you've reached middle-middle class, you're pretty much ok.

... in response to Re: That's your problem right there., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

hmmm...I have a feeling your first husband will be some rich snob who your friends just adore and your family approves of. Hopefully your second husband will be someone your heart sought out.
You know my mother does not approve of my choice to marry a man from another country. But, I have to make the choice of what is good for me, and good for my heart. I married the man my friendsand family approved of, all it got me was a divorce.

... in response to Re: That's your problem right there., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

You're not from the royal family (are you?) and if you
truly cared about that person, it wouldn't matter. If you're
family and friends are true friends, then they will
support you no matter what, not citicize or belittle you for
doing what makes you happy.  If they don't agree, then
the best you can do is inform and tell them how much
that person means to you, trailer trash or not. If they still
condemn you for it, then this is where you're strength as
an individual comes into play. Are you strong enough to
stand on your own two feet and say "Look....I don't care
where he's from...he's a good person and I love him.
End of story." Or, do you say "Well, my friends and
family think you're trailer trash and I can't see you
anymore." (which is pretty lame, imo).

I just thought of something....you should go rent that
movie "Valley Girl" with Nicholas Cage and Deborah
Foreman.  It's basically about  a valley girl who meets
this punk rocker from Hollywood (the total opposite of
the Valley) and falls for him but her friends and cheating
ex-bf - the rich, cleancut preppie types - make her feel
bad about it and about losing her rep, etc.  So she has
to decide who she wants...etc. It's very similar to the
theme of this thread.

... in response to Re: Re: That's your problem right there., posted by Pete on Jan 23, 2001

No, I'm not from the British Royal Family.  And yes, my family may very well support me (though likely reluctantly), but what about him and his family?  He's going to have to come to some of my alum events, especially if I were to send my future children to the same school.  Would he feel comfortable?  And if he does, would his relatives?   If we were to have my wedding reception at let's say a yacht club, would his trailer park grandmother feel comfortable there?

... in response to Re: Re: Re: That's your problem right th..., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

No but if they had a shred of common sense, they
would either politely refuse to go to your yacht club party
(because they themselves realized they might not fit
in...or they would meekly accept how you really looked
down your nose at them).  If they did go, who knows...it
could be like a National Lampoon Vacation
movie...hahahah.

The irony of this whole conversation is that you may
never get married at all in spite of your surety about it. I
just hope if you do, it's because you love the person
and not simply to fit your master plan.  And, like I said
before, I hope you broaden your views as you grow
older...karma will come back to haunt ya ;)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: That's your problem right th..., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Actually Westerngrrl,

I am descended from royalty (English, Scottish, Irish, French, Italian, and Scandinavian) as are probably many people on this board. The world used to be a very small place. Though I don't live in a castle, I have relatives that do. One of my cousins (distant) is the Premiere Duke of Scotland and keeper of the Crown Jewels. Another, a Duke in Ireland. I still talk to you and I am no better, nor are my cousins. They treat everyone with respect. One weekend I may be hanging out at a friend's place in a trailer park, the next at Madonna's (she sold her FL house recently). My fiancee is very poor and I wouldn't trade her for all the tea in China or any of the girls at your country club.

Manners do not come with wealth.

Dave H.

... in response to Actually..., posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

Madonna has money, expensive toys, now a "British" accent, but no class. I have seen more class in trailer parks and the slums of Butuan.

Dave H.

... in response to PS, posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

Don't forget her boytoy of a husband :-) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

... in response to Re: PS, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

...if she was checked for rabies and if her husband had all of his vaccines. :o))

Dave H.

... in response to Actually..., posted by Dave H on Jan 23, 2001

What's good for you may not be the same for me.

... in response to Re: Actually..., posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

N/T

... in response to Do you know art history?, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

Westerngirl, your points are well taken. There are tons of people living the life without any clue at all. I don't think this is what Dave means. Academic study is important, but it is not everything. You can learn a lot by going to Hong Kong yourself, talk to the people, compare how it was before unification and what has changed. Being able to write a 2,000 word paper about is great, but at some point you will have to go beyond that, and I am sure you will.

If you look at Forbes Magazine list of 400 richest men (and women) of America, less than half completed their college degree! (Which of course doesn't mean you should drop out of college - your "Life is college" now and you should put as much energy into it as you will later into "Life without college"!)

Now I have to defend my Countryman Nietzsche.... , yes, he was abnormal, but stupid he was not. There is a lot we can learn about the human condition from intelligent writers who find themselves at psychological extremes. "Zarathustra" will remain one of the most intriguing documents ever written. I visited Yellowstone National Park last year, reading "Zarathustra" at night. It was a perfect match to the gloomy athmosphere of this amazing wilderness area!

... in response to Re: Do you know art history?, posted by cc on Jan 23, 2001

cc,

I agree with your post. Also, I actually prefer Nietzsche to Tolstoy. Tolstoy has a problem with him. Nietzsche probably stole his woman. :o))

Dave H.

... in response to Re: Do you know art history?, posted by cc on Jan 23, 2001


So that academicians can have some practical and real-world experience in their field of study before and after the PhD.

- Kevin

... in response to Re: School, posted by Westerngrrl on Jan 23, 2001

It is nice to see what you have learned with Daddy's money.
I seldom watch TV or movies, prefering to read. Thus, my reason for asking you who Ryan Phillipp was. I knew that you would have the answer. :o)

Dave H.