Useless or just Obsolete?
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
I would say it depends on what you want to do with your working life. If only making money is your goal, getting a high level degrees may not worth it. I would recommend at least bachelor's degree. For 30+ years, I've worked with developers with at least completed a Data Structure course and basic Database Design Principle(dev-A) and developers whom are self tough (dev-B). Provided that both groups are actively practicing their skills. When developing Line of Business (LOB) application where the tools and requirements are well defined, either group can deliver successfully. It is only when the goal is gray and the tools is not readily available that requirements is not clear where some R&D is needed, then the group dev-A really can come through (in fact the higher the education, the better). With a degree without practicing is worst that self tough when comes to coding. At least the self tough knows how to code. I have a brother who had a master degree in Software Engineering but can't write a simple hello world program. If you ever plan to work for government in any research facility, a degree is a must have, the higher the more value it is.
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I would say it depends on what you want to do with your working life. If only making money is your goal, getting a high level degrees may not worth it. I would recommend at least bachelor's degree. For 30+ years, I've worked with developers with at least completed a Data Structure course and basic Database Design Principle(dev-A) and developers whom are self tough (dev-B). Provided that both groups are actively practicing their skills. When developing Line of Business (LOB) application where the tools and requirements are well defined, either group can deliver successfully. It is only when the goal is gray and the tools is not readily available that requirements is not clear where some R&D is needed, then the group dev-A really can come through (in fact the higher the education, the better). With a degree without practicing is worst that self tough when comes to coding. At least the self tough knows how to code. I have a brother who had a master degree in Software Engineering but can't write a simple hello world program. If you ever plan to work for government in any research facility, a degree is a must have, the higher the more value it is.
I agree with all your points and have experienced almost the same scenarios. FYI: Just to help out your otherwise excellent English, I assume that by "self tough" you meant "self-taught".
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
You still need to know how a carburetor works for when the zombie apocalypse starts
Argument for argument's sake: Would that knowledge be useful with your fuel-injected Mustang? Or would you immediately have to trash that and retrofit it with a carburetor for some reason?
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So, you know how to change a wagon wheel do ya?
Actually, I do. That's part of the benefit of spending part of your childhood on a working farm.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
Actually, I do. That's part of the benefit of spending part of your childhood on a working farm.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
And all you will hear is: "How do you get WiFi on this thing?" "Where's facebook?" "When I swipe left, nothing happens." :sigh:
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
Nah, swiping left still works...that's how you move the beads :)
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A CS degree, is 100% not necessary to be a successful and talented software engineer, and hasn't been for years. I find the degree to be as useful as a 5-inch bolt in the skull. Oh, and by the way, doctors these days don't drill holes in the skull cap to release evil spirits...at least I hope not. My point - keep up with the times, or get a new job.
Good ole' trepanation... :) Ancient Surgery Makes Comeback - ABC News[^]
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Damn it to hell John Wayne slayer!!! I was trying to make a point and you completely ruined it with your vast life experience. :)
I'm old. I know stuff. :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
You need to keep up a little better. My Mustang hasn't been fuel-injected since 2014. It's running dual carbs on a 671 blower.
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
You need to keep up a little better.
I clearly do. I haven't been following up all that closely TBH, other than looking (or rather, listening) to a couple of videos you had posted, and knowing it's pretty much a complete rebuild at this point.
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
It's running dual carbs on a 671 blower.
Sweet! So, not exactly something you can get directly from Ford. :-D I take it Texas doesn't have the sissy emissions test requirements we have in Canada? Or that the law provides exemptions for hotrods?
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
In my humble opinion, the degree is a certification that you know the basics and it gets your foot in the door. The real learning starts when you get into a shop and start working with people who have been doing it for years. This is where you learn how the development work is really done and the processes used, akin to an apprenticeship. I admit, I'm an entirely self-taught developer with no degree.
Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
Dave Kreskowiak -
Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Forogar wrote:
Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money
No.
Forogar wrote:
or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
Yes. And that goes for just about every career choice. I'm still debating whether it's a good thing for quacks doctors to have degrees.
Latest Article - A Concise Overview of Threads Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Forogar wrote:
Useless or just Obsolete?
I'd like to think I'm both! ;P I'm not sure about Masters or PhDs but good old BS degrees in Computer Science are well worth the time, money and effort. Is it perfect? No. Does it weed out all the idiots? No. But before you throw out the baby with the bath water think of all the times your idiot neighbor said "Little Johnny is really good with computers*, he wants to get a job writing computer games!" *Turns out he knows how to connect the XBox to the TV.
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
I think a common problem people have when considering college is the idea that college is there to teach you a skill. It's not. College teaches to you learn. You might acquire some entry-level skill set related to some career path, but, as you pointed out, as soon as the ink on the diploma is dry the skills you learned are out of date. Successful people come out of college with the skills to do research, collate that data into useful information, communicate that to others, and then use it to solve problems. From a computer science perspective, you might acquire the ability to code in any number of languages, and to leverage a host of tools to do your job, but HOW you learn that how successful you are at acquiring that knowledge is a direct product of learning to learn.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
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I think a common problem people have when considering college is the idea that college is there to teach you a skill. It's not. College teaches to you learn. You might acquire some entry-level skill set related to some career path, but, as you pointed out, as soon as the ink on the diploma is dry the skills you learned are out of date. Successful people come out of college with the skills to do research, collate that data into useful information, communicate that to others, and then use it to solve problems. From a computer science perspective, you might acquire the ability to code in any number of languages, and to leverage a host of tools to do your job, but HOW you learn that how successful you are at acquiring that knowledge is a direct product of learning to learn.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Kevin Marois wrote:
College teaches to you learn.
You'd think it should. I've seen too many who have degrees and would starve to death trying to teach themselves to use a can opener. Some people treat the experience like it's the end-all, be-all of knowledge.
Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
Dave Kreskowiak -
Kevin Marois wrote:
College teaches to you learn.
You'd think it should. I've seen too many who have degrees and would starve to death trying to teach themselves to use a can opener. Some people treat the experience like it's the end-all, be-all of knowledge.
Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
Dave KreskowiakCollege sure doesn't teach common sense.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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Forogar wrote:
this is the minimal but focused education I was referring to
Actually, a physician I use admitted that it would be just as useful as medical school to just work with a practicing physician for some years - almost everything ends up being experienced-based. They take their best guess - and are occasionally correct. It's almost completely experiential. The real medical breakthroughs are done by scientists, not MDs. For REAL sciences, chemistry and physics, for example, there's a great deal of background material that is too abstract to learn by watching. Nonetheless, for earning a doctorate, one has to actually do the stuff - because the only way to learn how to do research is . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . to do it. So - going back to coding - a large number of the best coders (take a poll, here) are self-taught. The big advantage they have is they love it and are driven (endorphins?). Just go to Q&A and see what computer science courses are bringing you!
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
W∴ Balboos wrote:
Just go to Q&A and see what computer science courses are bringing you
That is a very unfair argument! Q&A hosts mostly the idjits who are too lazy to do the basic research required. The minimal number of good questions are from the potentially competent coders!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I'm old. I know stuff. :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
I'm old. I know stuff.
Snaffled to sig!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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Forogar wrote:
Useless or just Obsolete?
I'd like to think I'm both! ;P I'm not sure about Masters or PhDs but good old BS degrees in Computer Science are well worth the time, money and effort. Is it perfect? No. Does it weed out all the idiots? No. But before you throw out the baby with the bath water think of all the times your idiot neighbor said "Little Johnny is really good with computers*, he wants to get a job writing computer games!" *Turns out he knows how to connect the XBox to the TV.
Mike Mullikin wrote:
*Turns out he knows how to connect the XBox to the TV.
A skill I highly doubt you have.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Looking at a few other recent posts it got me thinking about qualifications, degrees and such-like things. Many decades ago I got a PhD in Computer Science and, at the time, I thought it was a good thing. Now, when I look back at how useful it was to learn all that I realise that nearly everything I learned is obsolete and about as useful as knowing how a carburettor works in these days of fuel-injected engines. A large part of it was learning the history of computing, Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine, Blaise Pascal and Herman Hollerith with punched cards, punched tape and other punchy things. I even learned about Jacquard looms for early machine automation. Compare and contrast tape drives (high capacity serial data access) and disc drives (lower capacity but random access) - notice the spelling of "disc drive". COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal and other modern computer languages. All good stuff at the time but completely irrelevant these days. Back in 1977, my thesis (I can't even remember the title) was based on distributed computing with small home computers or remote terminals at least, all connected together via a universal network where one could write documents, do reports on things using a database or data files, send messages to other computer users, order on-line, even play games alone or with other networked players. I even wrote some games (in assembler and FORTRAN) to demonstrate how this could work. Hah! Like any of that would really happen! :wtf: For a few years I was a professor, teaching all this stuff to poor souls who though it was all new and exciting... then I got a proper job and the rest is history. You'll have to wait for my autobiography to hear about jet fighters :cool:, MI5 :suss:, chasing bandits in the mountains behind Hong Kong X| , and other boring, non-computer related stuff. Oh, the tales I could tell, once the Official Secrets Act period has expired! :~ My son will shortly complete his second Masters degree and all he does is complain about how much money he owes on his student loan. Anyway, finally to the question... Do you think getting a degree these days is worth the time, effort and money or should we consider going back to the tried and trusted apprentice system (basically interns starting with minimal but focused, initial education)?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Knowledge gets outdated...the syllabus should be updated with time...if people stopped getting degrees and doing research America would not be in this unique position it was in the world arena .Considering the way its going for profit only and screwing its own country men with job losses and student loans and debt... well its up to trump to make America great again and save the world from another disaster.
Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long
