Dealing with the half-educated

[shah269 0]

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....it's not doing very good.
Guess who didn't pay attention in their English classes.

Intentional utilization of poor grammar is a great method by which one can emphasize a point.

In this case, perhaps it would not be a bad idea to force math and science types to take more humanities classes.

And that perhaps math, science and engineering need to wake up and realize that they need to seriously rethink their marketing scheme so as to not go extinct in the US.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[wmw999 2,583]

I don't think that's a problem with engineering, I think it reflects an increasing standard of living in the US.

People who can afford to think about fun at work will get a degree in whatever looks like the most fun. Those who are worried about a job are more likely to work on a degree in something useful, and engineering is the gold standard for useful.

Many, many graduate engineers end up not engineering; in the 1950's my dad helped survey a large number of graduates of his school (Northeastern), and found that about 50% of them were no longer actively engineers by 15 years after graduating. But I doubt that most of them regretted their education -- my father certainly never did. He taught business administration his entire professional career, and was damn proud of being an engineer.

I think we need more of our young people, going into college, to realize that it's hard work, and that not getting great grades in a difficult subject might well be better than getting great grades in one that won't offer as much down the road.

Frankly, the technical future of our country depends in part on this.

And yeah, they do have to know how to write as well. There are only so many effective engineering-English translators running around

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[lawrocket 3]

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It always bugged me that the "soft" majors required almost nothing in the way of math, science and engineering

Ten years ago I would have disagreed with you. Now that I have additional life experience I am finding myself in ever-more agreement with you. I think the hard sciences themselves are educational in providing examples of what "fact" or "truth" really is.

Science establishes a basis for people to see how ideas are tested and facts are revealed, versus rhetoric that is seen by so many. My personal belief is that engineers make great legal minds because they work in a step-by-step form. (Accountants do the same thing but I've found they workk backwards - make a conclusion and then find ways to try to support the conclusion).

I wish I'd been required to take statistics, physics, etc. As a younger guy I simply didi not contemplate that some things - even if unnecessary - can be highly useful.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[shah269 0]

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There are only so many effective engineering-English translators running around

Wendy P.

Yeah tell me about it!
That's my gig. Convert what engineers "feel"....and yes engineers do have feeling...sometimes very strong ones...into what decision makers and managers can understand.
Sadly....I think there are not many positions open for such a gig nor opportunities for further compensation.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!