patrick.net

New Renter says

not so much Kurzweil as Goebbels.

A mix because in Goebbel's case, ppl actually believed it. There, there was no day-to-day counterpoint.

Here, it's a frequency where in effect, each wave cancels out the other, however, given constant pulsations, ppl just say it mindlessly.

So we have students who can't find work w/ huge debt, postdocs w/ no future, adjuncts everywhere, another 2K layoffs at DuPont, R&D jobs sent to Asia, etc. Ppl are seeing all that but then, chant 'shortage' because that's what's expected to be chanted.

Even Goebbels couldn't pull off a contradiction like that one. Realize, much of the Third Reich had employment.

Dan8267 says

Yes, we need more advanced degrees to fill all those jobs at McDonald's and Walmart.

zzyzzx says

Well, as of ten years ago, human resources had determined that all paralegals must have a BA degree, to be seen at a law firm. So by virtue of changing requirements, we can make more and more jobs appear to require a college degree.

Rin says

New Renter says

Strategist says

LOL. I was in the same boat 27 years ago. Degree after degree, but never saw a paycheck. Many jobs do require advanced degrees especially in R&D. We need more life saving drugs, gadgets to make our life better, cutting edge technology in energy, aircraft, space exploration, electronics, medicine etc etc etc.

Cannon fodder needed, apply within.

Yes, and today, the sycophantic screams of STEM shortage, "we need more education", and so forth, has hit a frequency level, which has exceeded the original 1988 NSF claim of STEM shortage by 2000.

Can you guys tell me how, without advanced degrees we can create new life saving drugs and inventions that make our life better here on earth?
The greatest resource we have is the human mind. Lets fully use it.

Strategist says

Can you guys tell me how, without advanced degrees we can create new life saving drugs and inventions that make our life better here on earth?

The failure is not in our producing more educated citizens. The failure is in capitalism not utilizing those human resources. Again, capitalism is obsolete. It doesn't scale with technology because it revolves around the self-interests of a few non-producing owners rather than multitudes of wealth creators.

Strategist says

Can you guys tell me how, without advanced degrees we can create new life saving drugs and inventions that make our life better here on earth?

The greatest resource we have is the human mind. Lets fully use it.

Right now, advanced degrees have created an army, yes a standing army, of postdocs and adjunct professors.

The term, gypsy scholar, was coined to depict those, who bounce around between universities, doing teaching stints, here and there, will little hope of long term employment.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/01/24/house-committee-report-highlights-plight-adjunct-professors#sthash.p3X8Nbaq.dpbs

With the above stated, how are individuals, if they're not already rich, suppose to make life better on earth?

If you want a guaranteed high income, become an industrial products salesman. Things like hydraulic pumps and electrical panels.

Those guys make six figures, and if one industry busts, you can easily move to another.

John Bailo says

If you want a guaranteed high income, become an industrial products salesman. Things like hydraulic pumps and electrical panels.

Those guys make six figures, and if one industry busts, you can easily move to another.

In many ways, I'm a salesman for the hedge fund I work at. And yes, sales is where it's at, esp if it's commission driven.

In my firm's case, the added funds, increases the P/L, which increases my bonus.

For other companies, it's commission based.

Dan8267 says

Strategist says

Can you guys tell me how, without advanced degrees we can create new life saving drugs and inventions that make our life better here on earth?

The failure is not in our producing more educated citizens. The failure is in capitalism not utilizing those human resources. Again, capitalism is obsolete. It doesn't scale with technology because it revolves around the self-interests of a few non-producing owners rather than multitudes of wealth creators.

Capitalism does not fully utilize all resources at its disposal during recessions and slowdowns. Other then that capitalism will utilize all resources at its disposal because that is how they make their money. We all agree the goal of capitalists is to make the maximum money they can make.
By the way the nations that are the most wealthy use capitalism the most. Take the example of China 50 years ago. A loser of a nation. Since the 1980's it embarked on improving its economy utilizing capitalism, resulting in spectacular achievements in the standard of living for one fifth of humanity.

Strategist says

Other then that capitalism will utilize all resources at its disposal because that is how they make their money. We all agree the goal of capitalists is to make the maximum money they can make.

So instead of doing research & development, I'm yapping on the phone and relaying IMs with clients all day. If that's a great use of resources then I've got a stock tip for you.

John Bailo says

If you want a guaranteed high income, become an industrial products salesman. Things like hydraulic pumps and electrical panels.

Those guys make six figures, and if one industry busts, you can easily move to another.

True, but such products are used in factories... which we dont have in the USA anymore. Ouch!

Strategist says

Capitalism does not fully utilize all resources at its disposal during recessions and slowdowns.

It doesn't do so during boom times either, at least in many fields.

In spite of Big Pharma, most medical breakthroughs are discovered during government-funded research.

This is very troubling to me - not being sarcastic - because I think that in many situations the private sector should do better than the government, and this is one of them.

Maybe it's the patent system, or tax incentives, or MBA culture (PROFITS THIS QUARTER, FUCK THE FUTURE).

Rin says

Strategist says

Other then that capitalism will utilize all resources at its disposal because that is how they make their money. We all agree the goal of capitalists is to make the maximum money they can make.

So instead of doing research & development, I'm yapping on the phone and relaying IMs with clients all day. If that's a great use of resources then I've got a stock tip for you.

Let me guess, Enron.
I have a stock pick for you. AAPL, ITB. Trust me on that.
Hey, your'e a capitalist.

Iosef V HydroCabron says

MBA culture

Yes, MBA-ology, the Peter Principle, rise to the highest level of incompetence.

Iosef V HydroCabron says

Strategist says

Capitalism does not fully utilize all resources at its disposal during recessions and slowdowns.

It doesn't do so during boom times either, at least in many fields.

In spite of Big Pharma, most medical breakthroughs are discovered during government-funded research.

This is very troubling to me - not being sarcastic - because I think that in many situations the private sector should do better than the government, and this is one of them.

Maybe it's the patent system, or tax incentives, or MBA culture (PROFITS THIS QUARTER, FUCK THE FUTURE).

You did describe a negative. I agree there is room for the government in improving our lives, but man needs incentives. Capitalism gives man the most incentives. The success of countries utilizing capitalism in creating wealth is the ultimate proof.

Strategist says

but man needs incentives

Leonardo DaVinci, Goethe, Michelangelo did their work w/o financial incentives. And that's the difference, a Renaissance man is driven by his passions, not the Benjamins.

Rin says

Strategist says

but man needs incentives

Leonardo DaVinci, Goethe, Michelangelo did their work w/o financial incentives. And that's the difference, a Renaissance man is driven by his passions, not the Benjamins.

And Mussolini, Hitler, Mao, politicians, scientists. Some are motivated by power, curiosity or emotions. Helen Of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships....that war was motivated by love and revenge.
The love of money is the greatest motivator for most people in modern society.

Rin says

$50,281 for someone with a bachelor's degree

Is that within a few years of graduation, or is the Bachelor's plus 20 years experience at age 40-ish?

If so $50k median sucks balls for a 4-year degree + 20 yrs experience.

Rin says

So by virtue of changing requirements, we can make more and more jobs appear to require a college degree.

Word. 20 years ago, you did not need a college degree to be an office manager. Now, they want "Some college" for call center reps.

Strategist says

The love of money

For me, love of freedom, and freedom is begotten by money.

thunderlips11 says

Is that within a few years of graduation, or is the Bachelor's plus 20 years experience at age 40-ish?

If so $50k median sucks balls for a 4-year degree + 20 yrs experience.

To be dubbed *white collar*, it means bachelors degree.

Thus today, many 20 year experienced folks have gotten a BA part-time, to fulfill HR requirements, so that they could change jobs. So you'll see former mail-room attendants, with a newly minted BA in English, so that they can segue into running the receptionist desk in the same building.

Last night, I'd heard from someone, whose wife was offered an adjunct teaching job at a college. Guess her salary?

She was asked if she could volunteer for the work.

Ok, so for a chance to get an additional line item on the old resume, she had to get a 2nd job, to bring home some bacon.

Rin says

Last night, I'd heard from someone, whose wife was offered an adjunct teaching job at a college. Guess her salary?

She was asked if she could volunteer for the work.

That's not uncommon for prestige adjunct positions. There affluent people in places like NY who are basically willing to pay the university to be an adjunct.

corntrollio says

That's not uncommon for prestige adjunct positions. There affluent people in places like NY who are basically willing to pay the university to be an adjunct.

Yes, I'm aware of that, and I once knew a Yale adjunct, whose full time job was at a computer consulting firm in CT.

But of course, it begs the question ... aside from PatNet, why are ppl still buying into a STEM shortage myth & talking about getting more education?

Basically, a decent article in that it keys in on grad school being a source of ballooning debt.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-grad-school-to-blame-for-student-loan-crisis-2014-03-25

however, this is where I depart ...

Excerpt: "So what can students do to determine whether a grad program is worth the cost? First, they should understand the median pay and likely job prospects for their major. In general, engineering and technology master’s degrees pay better (a median of $110,000) than do arts and sciences degrees, with degrees in electrical engineering, finance, chemical engineering, economics, physics, computer science, mechanical engineering and civil engineering among the top paying. Some of the worst paying degrees include counseling, social work, music, library and information science and education"

And once again, I say No! No! No! If you're working in tech, do a master's part-time, partially funded by your employer. And then, attempt to apply that MS work to your actual job, so that your work experience is reflected in the MS level topics.

The key here is that you're always targeting your parachute. Sure, have some academic training but have more related work experience, validating that schoolwork.

zzyzzx says

LOL. They not only want a bachelors degree, but also 1 or 2 years experience.
A recent college graduate need not apply.