Is college worth it?

Nov 23, 2009 15:26

A discussion of the value of the undergrad degree on Talk of the Nation, for those who are interested.

repeat posts, academia-in-the-media

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 21:07:13 UTC
Thank you for this. I listened to it with great interest.

Of the things I noticed:

The military is a good alternative to college? Or so Marty seems to at one point suggest. And while I'm not going to bash the military too tough, it does seem...odd to say: "College isn't for you. Here's a gun. Go kill."

Secondly, I don't recall exactly where I was in my HS graduating class, but most likely bottom 40%, almost certain I was in the bottom 50%, and I got my college degree in 5 years--not 8.

Third, the stats he threw out about college seniors who couldn't analyze arguments in newspapers or determine if they had enough gas to get to the gas station....well, to a large extent, that is on the students. Students who don't give a shit won't get shit from college--except the degree ( ... )

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 22:03:42 UTC
Bah. Your "standards" in english are silly outdated norms; todays english is to be found on www.urbandictionary.com

*ducks to avoid harsh words from all the language lovers here*

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poldyb November 23 2009, 22:07:53 UTC
What a very strange thing to say. Why would a language lover not like urbandictionary. I find it quite useful myself

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 22:11:31 UTC
Oh, y'all might love urban dictionary, but I find they don't take kindly to "language is evolving and your rules are perhaps inconsequential" or some-such.

Perhaps I should have substituted language lover for grammar nazi. Tho the later is usually the former, I suppose the former doesn't guarantee the later.

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poldyb November 23 2009, 22:13:25 UTC
Strange people you must meet.

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 22:15:44 UTC
Yup. it hurts their brains when i don't use caps or commas or periods or the requisite "yo" when I wanna say u.

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poldyb November 23 2009, 22:19:45 UTC
I don't know if it hurts their brains, but I wager it offends their aesthetic sensibilities and likely offends their understanding of certain social aspects of language use.

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 22:56:52 UTC
I don't know if it hurts their brains either--but I do know that's what they have told me.

eye stil dont c whut teh big deal is.

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poldyb November 23 2009, 22:57:50 UTC
too bad.

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enders_shadow November 23 2009, 23:23:44 UTC
In emails to profs, that makes total sense.
I get the grammar nazi's buggin me on LJ. As if this place was teh serious buziness!

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pansette November 24 2009, 00:31:15 UTC
I can think you're stupid with very little pain to my brain.

Just saying.

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enders_shadow November 24 2009, 00:37:50 UTC
It seems more to me like you are typing than saying.
just typing.

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pansette November 24 2009, 00:45:48 UTC
Literalism and wit are often conflated by small minds.

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enders_shadow November 24 2009, 02:41:17 UTC
Your additions to this thread are greatly appreciated. You have been the kindest and most informative of the people here I have spoken with.

Wait. No.

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