DJS

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Posts by DJS

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  22

  Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say...

  by NewYork44M in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a new set of income statistics answers those questions quite clearly: yes, college is worth it, and its not even close.

  for all the struggles that many young college graduates face, a four-year degree has probably never been more valuable.. here is the article from the new york times:.

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/upshot/is-college-worth-it-clearly-new-data-say.html?hp.

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  DJS

  Some of the responses illustrate why college is valuable. Often I read strongly held views on this site, from those who have considered exceptions rather than rules or read a study that was essentially about the tail ends of bell curves, where the 'data' (and I use the term loosely) is extrapolated/projected over an entire population based on the extreme behaviors at either end of a behavior curve for a population.

  It's like someone who smokes telling you that their grandmother smoked for 50 years and lived to be 90. As if that's supposed to mean something. Smoking takes years off the AVERAGE life and even more years of quality life. Lots of successful individuals never went to college; that's not the point. On average those with college degrees make more money on an annual and lifetime basis, are unemployed less often, are promoted within organizations more often. In addition, studies suggest that those with college degrees are healthier, smoke less, abuse prescription and illegal drugs less, are less obese and less likely to get divorced.

  Those are averages. Anecdotal or experiential comments about specific individuals have no bearing on the OP.

  And WallsofJericho, I'm glad you agree with me.
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  22

  Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say...

  by NewYork44M in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a new set of income statistics answers those questions quite clearly: yes, college is worth it, and its not even close.

  for all the struggles that many young college graduates face, a four-year degree has probably never been more valuable.. here is the article from the new york times:.

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/upshot/is-college-worth-it-clearly-new-data-say.html?hp.

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  DJS

  TO,

  One thing you don't mention in your post is that recruiters, when presented two candidates otherwise 'equal' - one with a college degree and one without - will almost always choose the one with the degree. That factors into income statistics. If I were the college recruiter I would do the same thing. College also teaches analytical thinking (well they are supposed to), which also factors into income, as those moving up corporate ladders are more typically rational, analytical thinkers and planners. There are a lot of other reasons to get a college education that don't necessary factor into income, such as personal growth and being exposed to many different viewpoints, thoughts and ideas.

  Additionally, unemployment rates in the US for college graduates are typically half those without a college degree, and that 'statistic' remains fairly constant during recessions and boom times. That also factors into income.

  Dubs and ex-dubs: go to college. Professor DJS says so.
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  44

  Another Shooting Massacre

  by whathehadas in

  1. social
  2. current

  http://abcnews.go.com/us/santa-barbara-shooting-suspect-calls-loneliness-darkest-hell/story?id=23855994&ts=true.

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  DJS

  Yeah, my ex GF has NPD. And she wouldn't (physically) hurt a flea. She might drive it crazy, but she wouldn't physically hurt it. I've read that some sociologists fear that in our desire to level playing fields, end bullying and create a kinder, gentler growing up period for our young men and women that we have also in many ways emasculated young males and not given them all of the skills they need to survive and thrive. There are a lot of issues with Gen Y males which suggest this is true; mass shootings are simply one anomalous and horrific aspect of this.
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  22

  Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say...

  by NewYork44M in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a new set of income statistics answers those questions quite clearly: yes, college is worth it, and its not even close.

  for all the struggles that many young college graduates face, a four-year degree has probably never been more valuable.. here is the article from the new york times:.

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/upshot/is-college-worth-it-clearly-new-data-say.html?hp.

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  DJS

  NY,

  Ditto. In additon, the personal ROI is immeasurable. And with higher education you would be less likely to annoy me on this site, which is by far the most important thing. LOL.
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  20

  First trip to Europe this summer...only 20 years later than I planned :)

  by Gypsy Sam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, i'm quite excited but also slightly freaked out as i'm able to go this summer instead of next like i had counted on (my daughter graduates next year and i was planning to go then).

  this means i'm doing this last minute and i wanted to see if any of you have used https://www.go-today.com or gateone travel or go ahead travel?.

  i'm planning on london, paris and rome for two weeks, likely july at this point.

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  DJS

  Gypsy,

  You will love France. Finding someone who speaks English in or around Parish or the larger cities shouldn't be a problem. Off the beaten path is another matter, as the French very Fracophile (they love their language and heritage). Carry a small English to French book with you that includes most of the common types of things you will need to ask for, etc. It was very helpful as we simply pointed in the book to what we wanted on many occasions. We found the French very helpful and friendly towards Americans (as expected), unlike some of the stories you hear.

  As long as you are nice, respectful and considerate of your hosts they will likely return it. Driving in France wasn't difficult, but since rail, buses, etc. are so good likely not necessary. I rented a car and drove all over the S and E of France, without any problems. Signage is very good and driving is on the right as in the U.S. I don't think I ever saw an intersection; everything was roundabouts (traffic circles). That adds a little stress because you have to multi-task (driving into the roundabout while looking at the signs to determine where you are going as opposed to stopping at an intersection and giving it the tourist previews).

  The food/wine in France is amazing. Visit some wineries if you can. Hotels, apts., etc. often don't have air conditioning, even when by American standards they should!!! So inquire about this if you are going during a warm period. Have a great trip!
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  44

  Another Shooting Massacre

  by whathehadas in

  1. social
  2. current

  http://abcnews.go.com/us/santa-barbara-shooting-suspect-calls-loneliness-darkest-hell/story?id=23855994&ts=true.

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  DJS

  Blondie,

  Nice post. I'm not aware of any data suggesting Gen Y males have higher rates of mental illness than the males from previous generations. The divorce rate has steadily decreased since about 1980, and this would suggest that Gen Y males have been raised in a more stable home environment than Gen X and Gen Y males. What has changed is what I mentioned a few posts before. Klebold and Harris (Columbine) were social misfits. Cho from Va. Tech was as well. Lots of others of these idiots from this generation who do these kinds of things also don't seem to be mentally ill - just angry and screwed up. Lanza, this kid and the Colorado idiot seem to be a combination of mental illness and generational issues. Most if not all of them feel powerless; killing others - going out in a blaze of glory - is the ultimate power trip. They 'feel' powerless. Most if not all of them were from upper middle to solidly middle class families with all of the benefits that entails. They fail a test, can't get laid or some other social misfitism and they want to kill. That is what troubles me.

  The mentally ill males from previously generations, when they were in this same age frame, weren't in the news so often killing people in mass numbers. As you mentioned, the mentally ill are more likely to harm themselves. That's why a lot of sociologists and psychiatrists are examining Gen Y males to see if there are generational factors contributing to this. Many think there are. So do I.
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  44

  Another Shooting Massacre

  by whathehadas in

  1. social
  2. current

  http://abcnews.go.com/us/santa-barbara-shooting-suspect-calls-loneliness-darkest-hell/story?id=23855994&ts=true.

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  DJS

  Rejection appears to have been this young man's issue rather than sex. Gen Y males aren't used to failure when they grow up. Then they grow up and often aren't prepared to deal with it. Thirty percent of Gen Y males live with mom and dad, the most ever in the US. Gen Y females have moved ahead of Gen Y males in education and are passing them in income. Same story as we've seen it many times before unfortunately.
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  29

  What would this world be like today , if their was never , ever , any concept of a GOD or a Creator .?

  by smiddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  given the fact that religion has been such a divisive force throughout history amongst all nations and tribes of the earth , i wonder how things might have been different had their been no god / creator / religion in the mix.. of course religion alone has not been the cause of all mankinds troubles & conflicts with each other , nationalism , polotics , racism , to name a few are also guilty of these problems.. but it seems to me that religion , beleif in a creator / god and its consequences of such a beleif are the cheif causes of mankinds troubles.. remember this is your thoughts if a creator , god , religion didnt exist in human conscience .. what are your thoughts ?.

  smiddy.

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  DJS

  Seraphim

  Yeah. Sure it does. Religion also has excluded most of its adherents from advancing socially, economically and intellectually for thousands of years. This is nothing more than a feel good cut and past devoid of serious information. Religion is the problem and always has been. Anyone who wasn't male and in charge was relegated to the back row, treated as property, not allowed to own property, not allowed access to education, etc. for thousands of years. That is still the situation with a lot of religions today, including Islam to a large degree and the Borg.
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  44

  Another Shooting Massacre

  by whathehadas in

  1. social
  2. current

  http://abcnews.go.com/us/santa-barbara-shooting-suspect-calls-loneliness-darkest-hell/story?id=23855994&ts=true.

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  DJS

  These types of incidents used to be carried out typically by middle aged white males who were stressed, frustrated and felt passed by or failed to live up to hopes and expectations. Recently they have been more typically associated with young Gen Y maies who don't fit in socially or feel like failures. And a lot of them are killing other innocents simply because they can't get laid. Cho, the V Tech shooter, fit this category and there have been a number of others. It likely contributed to Lanza and the Colorado dumbass movie theater shooter.

  This appears to be a generational phenomenon; more than a few sociologists have suggested that the entitled, molly coddled, everyone gets an A or a trophy world these grew up in has contributed to these slaugters. Little Johnny never got to experience not making the team, not getting a trophy or failing and didn't develop the skillsets or mindsets to deal with failure. I concur. This 22 year old fits that mold perfectly. There are of course other contibuting factors, such as mental issues, etc., but a lot of these young men simply are angry that they don't have more Facebook friends and get laid more often. Sad.
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  46

  The WT Isn't Going Away (sorry got long)

  by LostGeneration in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've seen more threads and comments in the last week about the "demise of the wt" than in some time.

  several were on threads about the donation arrangement and how its going to backfire in some way on the wt.

  oh and the lone elder who was pissed in some sort of passive-aggresive manner about it when he presented the resolution.

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  DJS

  LG,

  Nice OP. Thanks. Excellent closing summary. As I've noted before and as many of you have also noticed, the OPs which typically get the highest number of 'Views" are those that deal very specifically with the 'latest' potential change/movement/information on all things Borgian.That suggests that there are a lot of lurkers keenly interested in anything having to do with the fate of the Borg. Human nature would suggest many of those are hoping for its demise and the sooner the better. But some are likely hoping for a kinder, gentler Borg where they can acclimate to it and keep their families intact.

  Lurkers, read LG's closing guidance and follow it. If you wait on the Borg's implosion, erosion or transformation into something palatable, you will likely grow old and die before it occurs. We all would love to see its complete and quck demise, but that isn't likely to occur. Leave. ASAP with you and yours and live life to the full.