I was just reading the thread asking why we need school.

Some posters are dropouts or have not finished high school but are still intelligent and are able to think critically and are more informed about the world around them then most people that I come in contact with.

I am asking what the levels of education are because I would like to see if formal education is necessary.

Education does not equal intelligence.

Since I am asking, I will start.

High school grad, AA degree, current student at a 4 year university studying business.

I think that I might be shocked by the amount of intelligent posters that have just a high school diploma or less.

Thanks for your time.

Edit to add: By no means am I trying to judge anyone based on formal education as I do not think that determines the ability of one to process information or think critically.

Although there are some people that I would regard as "lower intelligence" that post on this site, the majority are bright. I am just wondering what the ratio is to the formally educated to the non.

If the majority of people that post have some college or less, then how essential is formal education? Is it worth it to have that piece of paper at such a high monetary cost when you can just educate yourself?

Is college necessary to think critically?

[edit on 2-12-2008 by SuperSecretSquirrel]

Interesting thread OP.

Not sure how much response you will get but I will participate.

I have a high school education and a College diploma for Computer Programmer Analyst. I also have a certificate in Network Administrator, PC specialist.

Okay, I'm not sure we should judge people on degree or non-degree....maybe you should make that very very clear in the OP so the nay-sayers don't start up. I'm willing to bite.
BA Philosophy
MFA Creative Writing
Who's next?

[edit on 2-12-2008 by Pamie] for fat fingers

[edit on 2-12-2008 by Pamie]

i currently have 3 diplomas and going for my fourth

1. kindergarten diploma
2. elementary school diploma
3. middle school diploma

i am currently in my 3rd year of high school

My IQ is considered to be 'borderline retarded' ... does that count for anything?

Some College & the King Boombah of the local pub

Four year bachelor's degree in business finance and real estate.

graduated from high school and completed 3 years of college.

Oh, why not add in,

Bachelor of Science degree that I nave never used, but at least it's finally paid for

I would venture to say intelligence is measured more in what you produce thank what you "know" but that being said

AA in psychology
BA art- (illustration)
several classes on Computer Science and programming

I did not go to college until a few years after HS as I was just tired of school. Going as a more mature adult who had worked in the real world gave me a better appreciation of higher education and the importance of critical thinking. I have friends with advance science degrees who are Managers at Bed Bath & Beyond, and I have friends who got stoned, never went to school and they are project managers for Electrical Companies making great money and are very good at there jobs. Education is subjective to the person wielding it and what they produce.

BBA in Management

IMO degrees are useful for attaining promotions and more money. I can guarantee you that it doesn't mean that every individual with a college degree is smart. If you don't believe me, just observe some of the people who are supervising you.

High School Diploma

USMC SOI (School of Infantry)

6 mos Training at NMITC (Naval Marine Corps Intel Training Center) Dam Neck , VA 0231 (Intel Spec)

3.....2......1...... (Cue Oxymoron jokes)

JDUB... Jungle warfare training center , Japan

1 Semester @ local Comunity college

6 Months P****** County Police Academy (corrections)

IQ 141 , (didn't make it through mensa)

B.A. Anthropology

Seeking M.A. in Archaeology

I'm a Brit let me state.

Done my GCSEs, now doing A levels.

Science : A*
Additional Science: A
History: C
Religious Studies: A
English Language: B
English Literature: B
Design Technology: B
ICT: C
Maths: B
French: B

Currently Doing: History, ICT, Media Studies and English lit. + Lang. For my A levels. Probably wont go to university, partially because I'm not sure I want to go, mainly because I can't afford it.

High School
Associate Degree in Nursing
Paramedic
Read a tremendous amount, including history, sociology, psychology, politcis, hell, if it's words in a row, I'll read it.
IQ high enough to test for MENSA, just never got around to it.

I personally dont see the connection between scholistic ability and the ability to research debate or have a desire for truth.

For what its worth :

Degree in psychology.
Post-grad degree in social services leadership.
Life-time learning in humanities