Offended in Houston

[davedove]

A degree (or multiple) does not a worldly person make. I have known many a Masters holder (or doctorate, for that matter) who couldn't place Afghanistan on a map or explain, in even the most basic of terms, the history of a given western nation. Much less eastern. Education usually covers what you need to know, or what they think you need to know. In general it is as bad and usually problematic to assume knowledge from someone seemingly knowledgable as to assume ignorance from anyone else.

I have also found that many times those who are highly educated, while incredibly knowledgable about their chosen field, are much less informed about other fields. It's one of the drawbacks of specialization.

[macwilkin]

I think you handled it very well, and indeed, I have nothing to add to most of the discussion.

Except one little thing.

A degree (or multiple) does not a worldly person make. I have known many a Masters holder (or doctorate, for that matter) who couldn't place Afghanistan on a map or explain, in even the most basic of terms, the history of a given western nation. Much less eastern. Education usually covers what you need to know, or what they think you need to know. In general it is as bad and usually problematic to assume knowledge from someone seemingly knowledgable as to assume ignorance from anyone else.

All that said, cheers, you did well.

I have also found that many times those who are highly educated, while incredibly knowledgable about their chosen field, are much less informed about other fields. It's one of the drawbacks of specialization.

Boy, I think I'll go hide under a rock now. Nice to know all of that work on my BA and MA was for nothing.

T.

[rollerboy_1979]

[QUOTE]

Say, pay no mind to the military of the USA or Canada, they have tartans too...and their all jerks out to offend people."

Let us not forget that Fire and Police Departments in many major American cities have Highland pipe bands that march in parades, or play at the funerals of men and women killed in the line of duty. We have all watched them in awe and have been brought to tears when they play "Amazing Grace" on the pipes. Is this woman disturbed by that? I think not, especially if it were her loved one for whom they were playing.

Many of our Ivy League American Universities are filled with educated people carrying Masters & Doctorates with very narrow minds; they would all like us to believe they are so progressive and enlightened.

RB

[ChromeScholar]

What's the old saying?

"A generalist is someone who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything. A specialist is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until he knows everything about nothing."

[davedove]

Boy, I think I'll go hide under a rock now. Nice to know all of that work on my BA and MA was for nothing.

T.

Now Todd, we never mentioned you. We value your expertise in your field (just don't act like you know something you don't).

I work around many medical researchers. These guys are not just AN authority on a disease, each is THE authority. And when they talk about their specialty, they are brilliant. They know far more than I could ever pretend to know about their stuff. However, often when you discuss some basic financial (my field) or business concept, they are completely ignorant. The problem is that many of them don't admit that. I guess they don't like that someone can know more than them about a subject.

Now, I consider myself to be a pretty smart guy, and I know a lot of things. But I also know the limits of my knowledge and will admit it.

[davedove]

What's the old saying?

"A generalist is someone who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything. A specialist is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until he knows everything about nothing."

I like that. I'm going to have to remember it.

Oh wait a minute! That's something new. Now I'm going to have to forget something about another subject.

[macwilkin]

Now Todd, we never mentioned you. We value your expertise in your field (just don't act like you know something you don't).

I work around many medical researchers. These guys are not just AN authority on a disease, each is THE authority. And when they talk about their specialty, they are brilliant. They know far more than I could ever pretend to know about their stuff. However, often when you discuss some basic financial (my field) or business concept, they are completely ignorant. The problem is that many of them don't admit that. I guess they don't like that someone can know more than them about a subject.

Now, I consider myself to be a pretty smart guy, and I know a lot of things. But I also know the limits of my knowledge and will admit it.

Don't worry, Dave...whenever someone starts talking math, then I get cold chills.

T.

[Panache]

Now Todd, we never mentioned you. We value your expertise in your field (just don't act like you know something you don't).

Also Todd often takes the role of our resident historian, but one often gets the opinion that he sees himself as a student of history. When someone offers up a difference of opinion regarding history he is always asking for the reference to check it out himself. The open mind is always ready to learn more.

Everyday I learn how much more I have to learn.

Cheers

Jamie

[ccga3359]

And Todd can can fly a zep-len, and speak German, and spell zeppelin...


Now if he could just learn to spell blackwatch properly...

[macwilkin]

And Todd can can fly a zep-len, and speak German, and spell zeppelin...


Now if he could just learn to spell blackwatch properly...

Nein! Ich kann Deutsch nicht sprechen!

Now where did that come from?

T.