a bit of background

[l0rca]

I've been looking at a number of these posts, and it's evident to me that although there are a number of obviously educated people floating around here, there's also a number of uneducated people around here.

Let me revise that: there are number of people here who go out and educate themselves about what they're discussing on this forum, and there are a number of people who simply immerse themselves in discussion, without much reading done.

I just wanted to take a poll, and if one's willing, allow them to either explain or justify their area of expertise (I, and maybe others will look at the replies as a sort of template for judging what each person could possibly bring to a thread). It might also be good if someone provide some sort of philosophical compass for us to understand them by. Many people here thrust themselves into an argument already assuming the direction they are comming from will speak for themselves.

I'm hoping this thread will consist, and not consist of three things.

1) A semi-accurate poll for us to see the level of education and professional background brought into this forum
2) Some sort of reference of any person's area of expertise
3) A thread LACKING religious or other advertisements, and WITHOLDING judgement on repliers, including replying to *coughIacchuscough* deviators...

(<3 Ich)

 

[Iacchus]

I've been looking at a number of these posts, and it's evident to me that although there are a number of obviously educated people floating around here, there's also a number of uneducated people around here.

Is there such a thing as being overly educated?

 

[Mercutio]

Is there such a thing as being overly educated?

Not in your case.


Turrent, what if the first two both apply? The poll only allows you to choose one.

 

[Iacchus]

If one really knew me, one might consider me to be an expert in the field of mysticism. But, that's not for me to tell is it?

 

[l0rca]

I know. It's my first poll, I didn't know how to correct it.

I guess you should choose the option you consider yourself more educated in, and explain in reply your full education.

<3 Ich, but lets not toil this thread into these kinds of replies. Those three I listed... the last one's sort of for you.

 

[Iacchus]

<3 Ich, but lets not toil this thread into these kinds of replies. Those three I listed... the last one's sort of for you.

What, are you looking for replies or, certain people to reply? Sounds a bit like discrimination if you ask me.

 

[Complexity]

I would have picked the first two bullets, with a stronger response to the first bullet.

I've had a fairly extensive formal education. Over seventeen years, I earned a B.A. in English Literature, a B.S. in Information Sciences, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science. I changed majors several times and took courses in a variety of areas. I was pre-med three times, English and Math secondary ed, Physics for two years, and finally English Literature. Only after working for a time in a clerical role did I finally do what I had wanted to all along - study Computer Science.

I taught at the university level for eight years (three before receiving my doctorate), and have been developing software in some capacity for the past ten years.

I've had a long formal education, but nearly all of my real education has occurred while reading on my own and playing. Truth be told, I'd much rather work with someone who is largely self-educated - formal schooling is too much like handholding and is too easy to weasel through, untouched by a thought.

Things that I love to read include: history, Greek history, history of mathematics, history of science, science, cosmology, biology, evolution, physics, history of religion, philosophy, biography, literature, fiction, science fiction, and fantasy.

Most of my spare time is spent developing algorithms for challenging problems.

I have found very few people to have face-to-face conversations with on topics that interest me.