Recent comments in /f/vermont

Eagle_Arm t1_j246c25 wrote

Reply to comment by tadamhicks in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

Yeah, the old schtick about going to college to "learn how to learn and think critically." That's all bullshit. College isn't causing people to think critically or challenge ideas. At this point, it's about agreeing to what they want you to agree to.

You're also selecting the highest earners for college degrees, so the CEOs and what not? The 1%ers. Those critical thinker high-earners aren't restricted to college grads.

Edit: autocorrect messing up words.

0

tadamhicks t1_j245qbe wrote

Reply to comment by cpujockey in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

I’m all for finding the fit. I love the freedom we have in our culture but it also means that we’re free to run the wrong direction quite easily. As parents we can make it worse by telling our kids to pursue their dreams, even when they’re shit at it.

It’s super hard to find out what we’re good at and then hard work to invest in honing that talent. Many people never figure that out about themselves.

As for exploration, agree wholeheartedly. As someone who did go to college, one of the aspects I valued more than any other was the emphasis on exactly that: exploration. The first two years are all about broadening the individual’s understanding of different areas and giving them a broad base, at least in major universities. They want you to know how to write and communicate clearly, but also to understand how science is performed, and to be able to understand symbolic logic (maths). Then you get to learn about political theory and world cultures, all before pursuing your major. It’s pretty cool. And yes, expensive.

1

mr_chip_douglas t1_j245lp6 wrote

Reply to comment by whaletacochamp in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

Am 34, tradesman since 16. You are not mentioning the long hours and sometimes travel times, hard labor on your body and an often awful work environment. I also advocate for the trades, but it’s not simply “the same or more pay but no degree needed”. There are pros and cons.

8

tadamhicks t1_j244m2e wrote

Reply to comment by whaletacochamp in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

Good trades people is what you’re talking about. Know how many shit ones live in my town? Of course they’re the only ones with free space in their books, too. All the tools, none of the brains.

And yeah, the best plumbers and electricians in town are friggin’ wizards.

−1

cpujockey t1_j244lp3 wrote

Reply to comment by tadamhicks in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

I agree with your points. Frankly you are quite respectable and decent, which is a change from a lot of the folks that comment in these threads.

My belief is that we should be encouraging youth to explore many different trades and occupations before the conversation of college comes up. Some folks have talent in things they've never tried or had interest in - so giving these things a try might unlock some sort of latent potential in people.

I don't want to toot my own horn - but I come from an awful educational background, special ed til 5th grade, struggled with literacy, poor math abilities and I some how found computers made sense and it changed my life. I hope that for folks struggling out there that maybe there is something out there for them like computers are for me - an accidental hobby turned career with a most unlikely individual.

1

tadamhicks t1_j2447ky wrote

Reply to comment by whaletacochamp in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

Nah man, the point I was 100% intending to make was that you don’t get rich by being a trades person, you get rich by being smart. I never implied college is the only way to get smart. But I did say it’s a much easier path to get smart than trying to do it when you’re tired from working all day at your trade, at least when you’re not already a bright bulb.

3

FyuckerFjord t1_j2446lr wrote

Reply to From a relatively new Vermonter who went back to the south for the holidays... by MissJudgeGaming

Still, there is something to say about living in the upper class liberal parts of the south - especially tech areas. The people are nicer, food is better, community is more diverse, the taxes and cost of living is lower, customer service is still a thing - so is same day delivery and getting a tradesperson to your home on the same day you need them. Raleigh will always hold a special place in my heart. Too bad the rest of the state exists.

37

whaletacochamp t1_j243th1 wrote

Reply to comment by tadamhicks in UVM too expensive by Constant_Education_4

>Since I didn’t say it and you felt I insinuated it then you’re displaying an inability to think critically.

You literally did say it..."trades people can make a lot of dough whereas people who know how to think critically"

You don't need much critical thinking or reading comprehension skills to understand what you meant by this. And just because you go on to say that a lot of college grads don't have critical thinking skills doesn't make your other comment ok/true. Honestly most of the people I know in the trades have better critical and practical thinking skills than most college grads that I know since most college grads can't think outside of what they've been taught/told.

Your last paragraph (really last line) here is all true, but it took you making some silly points to get there.

0