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Termyn8or -> RE: Education for the dolites (1/4/2009 8:16:41 PM)
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/\ < that's the sign for the usual Termy slant, forthcoming.
Part of the problem is that we educate too slowly in some parts of the world. It seems in some places we have slowed to the slowest common denominator. To illustrate a contrast, open up another browser window and search for Lewin A. R. W. Edwards. He quit college for a job opportunity that he just coun't/wouldn't pass up and eventually wound up in NY working on an H1B visa, and I can guarantee he took no low skilled job from anyone, probably makes money faster than I can, which is the next point. But do search that, he has one of the most impressive resumes I have ever seen in my life. Gat much better of a resume than Lewin's and all you do is send it to the company you currently work for to get a raise. lol
Now the difference. First of all work is like jail. Unless you own the place you have no choice as to who you work with. I didn't mind the little bit of jail I did, except for the fact that they kept bringing in all these assholes. Why don't they put them ........ nevermind. You may hate peole who are integral to the operation of the company, and as much as I like to say I don't play politics, of course you know all that means is I keep it to an absolute minimum.
But if some sort of real direction could be established when young, something the student is really interested in and wants to learn, you gain manifold. The student will excel. For me is was electronics, for others it may be something else.
Many wait too long, at forty because of a divorce she is studying data entry to get back into the workforce at practically minimum wage. Then that ship lands before it ever gets off the ground.
On the other hand I knew how a transistor works just about 12 years after it was invented. (it is a basic building block of all the technology we have). Very few people can say that. As a result I was actually cutting school to go to work illegally for a time. Now I literally am 48 with over 30 years experience. I can also honestly say that on my first week on the job, way back when, I solved a problem that nobody else could.
I think what they need to do is to go to a dual mode, vo-ed primers as well as regular education, at a very early age. I mean as a very crude example, take a bunch of third graders to the courtroom steps and ask them about the steps. How did they get there ? Who put them there ? How did they do it ? Things like that. Perhaps tours of some of the less dangerous factories still remaining. Get them started so they can have the desire to excel.
Then, in not too long, we will no longer be at the mercy of the third world labor. That will be because we will have something better to offer. Until then we are going to decline until we reach third world status.
You think cheap overseas labor was not available say forty years ago ? Bullshit. Your beloved Chrysler imported Czeckoslovakian Skodas back in the 1950s. Sony has been around for a while, it rose up from the ashes of Tokyo Tse Chung Kogyo, established before WW2. Mitsubishi is the same company that built the Zero bombers that killed our Men. But before you go smashing your car into your TV, think to yourself, who cares ?
Any one of us, with the requisite money and skills can open up a company and make parts for say, the auto industry. All you have to do is maintain quality and deliver it on time at a competitive price. This is where the innovation comes in. This is where we used to shine.
Sure it can be argued that we never caught up to the Germans, but I don't see a German flag on the moon. We have come a long way ----- down. If this is our major concern, that is not a good thing. As much as I do say we need to do some real work here and produce something with which to trade, that is not a limit.
At present, society tends to pigeonhole people. Some people are placed too low, and others too high. I'll tell you this much, if my Uncle ran AIG they would never have needed a bailout. If they did I think Grampa would've rose up from the dead, dug his way out of the grave and went and killed him.
In other words, upgrading skills is always a good idea, just don't expect alot as of yet, as long as the wrong people are running things.
T
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