In a message dated 7/2/99 4:06:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > I wish there were people on the list, with college degrees, who just > have no doubt that they just _love_ what they do (like I do), that > would speak up as examples. Without that, all I can say is I know > _plenty_ of people, with college degrees, who are just on _fire_ > for their chosen field - whether it be a fine arts degree, sports, > allied health, cancer research, math, biology, psychology, dance, > filmmaking, literature -- What can I say? :D Liza, I have a college degree.....B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Engineering Mechanics. I graduated with honors and a near 4.0 grade point average. I had my choice of jobs coming out of school (I'm not saying this to brag, just to show you that I am very well educated person and in spite of this, I differ strongly with your views on formal education). I have come to realize over the last 10 years of being in the real world, that most formal college "education" is really "indoctrination"! Einstein flunked out of school.....why? Because he was bored stiff! Brilliant minds see right through the indoctrination....they think for themselves! And that's what formal education DOESN'T train you to do at all! They train you to learn the "party line" of thinking in a particular field. Most of today's scientists are NOT open minded....they are indoctrinated in a particular belief system which they will vehemently defend until the paradigm in their field shifts to the point where they have no choice. History shows us time and time again that it's the "free thinkers," the "radicals," the "outcasts" that make true scientific breakthroughs....it's never the "party line, let's memorize what my professors taught me" type people. They are just zombies, even though they may not even realize it. So in my mind, getting a degree in some field simply means that you are willing to sacrifice your integrity and commitment to thinking for yourself, for the rewards of a secure job or position, and pats on the back from fellow indoctrinated souls. Fortunately, I'm one of the indoctrinated that broke out of the mold! :-) Steve