The Dumbing of America

[Mott the Hoople]

Here ya go Damo. I am in a meeting the other day with some parents talking to them about how important the mathematics I teach is to their children and encouraging them to make time in the evening (no more than 15 minutes) for the small amount of work that I might send home once in a while. A Superintendent stands up after I get through talking and says, "I can't do math..." I wanted to cringe and almost didn't hear anything else of what he had to say. We live in a society where it is acceptable for people to say they can't do math. I mean, who would stand up and say, "I can't read ..."? "The system" which I have worked all my working life to improve needs to teach more personal responsibility first and foremost, then maybe we can move forward from there. No more social promotions but promotions based on demonstrated ability. If at a certain age some don't "get it" then educational paths need to diverge. I better stop before I get too soap boxy....but dadgum we got to wise up. And politically, neither side gets it.

Oh he did not? Seriously? How did you keep from going off on that Superintendent? I would have been furious!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Not following you on that one. If one desires to get into real estate, finance, insurance etc. you think a liberal arts educations better prepares one for that career than b-school?

I see your point but conversely if you want to be a performing artist do you think a business degree better prepares one for that field? There are a lot of people making a crap load of money these days in the performing arts you know?

 

[Mott the Hoople]

You don't have to chase the paper, you just have to memorize your line: "Do you want fries with that?"

I know artist who probably make far more money than you do.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

A general business degree will allow you a far greater chance for success than a general liberal arts degree. An economics degree IS a business degree you twit. As is accounting. As is finance. They are specifications withing the school of Business.

A far better chance of success in Business. There are other fields that one can be succesfull in I hope you are aware?

 

[cawacko]

I see your point but conversely if you want to be a performing artist do you think a business degree better prepares one for that field? There are a lot of people making a crap load of money these days in the performing arts you know?

I've said nothing negative about a liberal arts degree. But Dung said he felt a liberal arts degree prepares someone as well as a business degree for working in the industries I referenced. Of course the answer varies with each individual but on the whole I would definitely disagree with that.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

A far better chance of success in Business. There are other fields that one can be succesfull in I hope you are aware?

Of course... they just don't tend to be liberal arts.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

which is why the elective choices for the meaningful degrees have liberal arts options. You do need to be well rounded, but the foundation needs to be in something you can actually use in the real world.

Again, that's a false premise. There are plenty of opportunities in liberal arts fields if you're willing to bust your ass and apply yourself. I know to many people who have!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Ahh, so nice being a STEM major. Life is good and always will be.

Don't give short shrift to your elective liberal arts classes. They will enhance your life.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Again, that's a false premise. There are plenty of opportunities in liberal arts fields if you're willing to bust your ass and apply yourself. I know to many people who have!

Yes, Walmart does have some exceptional greeters.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

As I stated, the liberal arts classes are indeed good for rounding out an education... but one should not get a degree in liberal arts. Those classes should merely support real degrees.

I disagree. You're being niave. Not everyone is you. What works for you and makes you happy isn't the same for everyone. If you put as much energy and talent and effort and skill and passion into a liberal art field I have no doubt you would be as succesful as you are in business.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

I disagree. You're being niave. Not everyone is you. What works for you and makes you happy isn't the same for everyone. If you put as much energy and talent and effort and skill and passion into a liberal art field I have no doubt you would be as succesful as you are in business.

LMAO... doubtful... very doubtful.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I've said nothing negative about a liberal arts degree. But Dung said he felt a liberal arts degree prepares someone as well as a business degree for working in the industries I referenced. Of course the answer varies with each individual but on the whole I would definitely disagree with that.

I would tend to disagree with that too but that doesn't deny the value of a liberal arts education.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Yes, Walmart does have some exceptional greeters.

Hey I know quite a few people with Business degrees who have a hard time finding work cause, well, they're a dime a dozen. A lot of companies prefer people who are more well rounded or have more technical skills.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

LMAO... doubtful... very doubtful.

I have to agree....I find that doubtful too...but in general it works for most people.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Don't give short shrift to your elective liberal arts classes. They will enhance your life.

I'm one foreign language shy of a history bachelors. I'll probably add a philosophy degree to my name at some point. But that's not what's going to put food on the plate or lead in my mags.

 

[Canceled.2014.2]

Don't give short shrift to your elective liberal arts classes. They will enhance your life.

Exactly. My wife was always towards the stem/logical end of things. As she has gotten older, she has become much more aware of the arts. It has improved her life immeasureabley.

 

[Canceled.2014.2]

Hey I know quite a few people with Business degrees who have a hard time finding work cause, well, they're a dime a dozen. A lot of companies prefer people who are more well rounded or have more technical skills.

This is very true. Lots of people graduate with a buiness degree and cannot find the job they want.

 

[The Dude]

Business school is for people that think it'll help them earn lots of money right out of college who aren't smart enough to realize it won't.

Don't let facts get in your way!
Business school grads earn way more

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Hey I know quite a few people with Business degrees who have a hard time finding work cause, well, they're a dime a dozen. A lot of companies prefer people who are more well rounded or have more technical skills.

1) Liberal arts majors hardly have more technical skills
2) Most Business degrees have the students take the liberal arts courses as electives for that well rounded aspect. Again, the courses are not bad, they are good electives to take. But getting a Lib Arts degree is not a good idea.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I'm one foreign language shy of a history bachelors. I'll probably add a philosophy degree to my name at some point. But that's not what's going to put food on the plate or lead in my mags.

No...it won't....but it will enhance your life in other ways. Like squashing 3D when he tries to revise history!