gacfoto

Last fall the Washington School of Photography which has been around for decades, closed over night.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yep, that's why we need to fund the DOE that is responsible for their curation and readiness if and when required. Also NASA and satellites, and the NRO, the CIA and the NSA. Also leadership supercomputers in our national labs so we can try to stay ahead of China, although we've just about lost that race and they are more determined than we are to win. "To out compute is to out compete" and government cutbacks in those areas are a threat to national security. That is not meant to be a partisan statement, more one of political and governmental incompetence, which appears to be getting worse.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I think the people of this country are getting sick and tired only getting one side of any story. They seem to push their agenda instead of both sides or any story. Just look at the last election. They all were pushing the bag lady and said the polls showed she would win by a landslide. It just shows they cant be trusted to give us the truth any more.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

But who can?

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I wish I knew.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Or that you can learn the same things on line...., you CAN'T!!!
SS

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Hopefully he was joking...

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

There's really no shortage of decent information available. Part of the benefit of internet-based technology is that we have access to so much information, too much for many people leading to information overload, and it is difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff. However, if people want to be lazy and just rely on a few information sources then they will probably get fed what they want to hear. There is a plethora of good information sources available, but picking a variety with differing viewpoints - even those that one may disagree with - helps to get a balanced perspective, but we are not going to get it out of some politically motivated propaganda machine.

However one also needs an open mind, not a vacant mind, nor a biased mind to really form an objective opinion regardless of one's political inclinations. One thing we do not need is 'alternative facts'. Alternative interpretations for sure, but not misinformation that is easily disproved.

I think you need to take an inward look at your own feelings, Sir. You referred to Hillary Clinton as 'the bag lady' which is pejorative at best and very insulting at worst. The equivalent could be to refer to Donald Trump as 'the douche bag'. Neither of those terms reflects well on the concept of having a balanced perspective.

I think that you need a mirror, Sir, if you wish to find the truth!

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Many of the new private schools were exposed as scams, supported by student loans, and issuing worthless diplomas at many times the price of a valid diploma at local and community colleges. Once the loans were withdrawn they quickly went out of business.
I can honestly say that 95% of what I was taught in college and graduate school (aside from probability, statistics, and the future value of money) was quickly forgotten and of little value in life or on the job. The diploma gives access to the job interview and little else. Virtually all knowledge taught in schools has to be re-learned or learned for the first time on the job.
Any subject anyone wants to learn is available for free online and especially on youtube.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I hope so too, but one can never be sure!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Many valid points, however part of the value of a formal education is the process of research, learning and testing those skills rather than the subject matter itself. The skills can be applied to almost any subject. Content is available in spades on the internet, but the ability to process it is not so easily available on the internet. One does not necessarily need a formal education to be smart or successful, but it certainly helps in most cases. It is more than a mere wrist band to get into the VIP section of any party.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

College teaches one how to learn and how to think and sometimes how to get along with others. Processes and principles... not facts worth remembering (in most cases).

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

You guys want to talk politics then I'm out of here.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Bear in mind that the OP mentioned Trump, and I'm trying to be balanced and just poke a little humor. Take it how you wish, the door is always open.

blackest Loc: Ireland

I don't know how it works in American degree programs but the point of a degree was to take in information evaluate it and progress the field. Most often the final year of a degree included a research project that brought something new to the field. It's not like a trade school where you demonstrate your ability to perform a process to a standard.

Big difference between an architect and a builder for example, you probably wouldn't want an architect to build your house but if he designed your house it's probably going to stand for a while. Although there is the old joke the difference between a DR and an Engineer a Dr kills in 1's ...