Hi all. Wow, a real debate with no monkey hooting from branch to branch! Well here is my 3.14159 cents worth:
You all haven't taken into account the positive benefits of cross-disciplines. I saw a report about a guy who had a lot of scientists
hanging on his every word because he had a cross discipline education.
He had a Phd in physics and another in materials science, a kind of
unusual combination of skills. Under your regime that guy might have been told early on "Kid, you have a talent for physics", gone into physics but no mentor around to take him on in material sciences.
The problem with that approach is there may be no-one around who can see around the corners, make connections others don't see. When you do that you may set the stage for the next step in phyics, medicine or whatever. Your system would make for a generation of people skilled in one kind of thing, but maybe what we need are artists who notice something about the way their paint mixes and then with his interest in chemistry comes up with an innovative diagnostic tool in medicine. See what I mean here? Things are at a scientific level now where individuals hot in their own field will tend to run around in circles not seeing what the guy in the next cubicle noticed but can't corrolate his observation because he is in a differant field.
Originally posted by sonhouseHey Don,
Hi all. Wow, a real debate with no monkey hooting from branch to branch! Well here is my 3.14159 cents worth:
You all haven't taken into account the positive benefits of cross-disciplines. I saw a report about a guy who had a lot of scie ...[text shortened]... n't corrolate his observation because he is in a differant field.
You are absolutely right. I retract my notions for the gifted amongst us.
For the run of the mill -- like me -- I see a great advantage to being "mentored" and guided. For that small group of "genius" who actually propell civilization forward... A "mentor" is probably a "tormentor" at best and an "obstructionist" at worst.
But... How would I know? Being a child that would make Lake Wobegone proud to call me 'Son'?