"When will I need to know this?"

[Violet]

GED? Parents refuse to allow me. Though I wish I could have taken the GED... I'd have passed out of the system last year at this time. I'm trying to graduate as early as I can through the normal system so that I can get emancipated with collage distance to 'home' as an excuse (which I do intend to make good on). I'm jumping through the academic hoops as part of a greater plan to get emancipated a year and a half early.

There are a number of reasons I need to be emancipated, few of which are open knowledge. As for self teaching myself: I'm already doing that... It's how i've learned every musical instrument as well. However, I'd learn at a much greater rate with a teacher and someone to try my vocabulary with. I had that in 9th grade, and in early tenth for Russian and French, and I have a decent grasp on them as a result. Pity that isn't offered here...

[Secularone]

What interest have I... in knowing that some guy (Vitas Bering?) sailed to Alaska from Russia, and claimed it for the Russians, who later sold the territory to the USA?

Go to You Tube and watch all the videos of Sarah Palin making a fool of herself and you'll know why.

[Violet]

Lol ^_^ That would be a good reason to have an interest in that... though with even a little moment of research: You can be as informed as if you had taken a half-year class on the subject.

[dry land fish]

You'll need to know that stuff if you continue your education at a university. Some of that will pertain to your major. The rest will be usefull in those stupid classes they make you take as a gen ed. You'll be asking youself the same questions in those classes too. They are great for an easy A to boost your GPA.

Science is important. Learn as much about science as you can. It affects your entire being. The reason you are alive is science. High school science is boring because they really leave out the interesting stuff. You will have to have a science class in college even if it's not your major. Sometimes they can be very hard if you don't know the basics.

[Violet]

I understand completely that line of thinking, and the only problem I have with seeing it that way is this:

I already know the basics I've gleaned most of my scientific knowledge outside of a classroom... and I simply cannot see why I need to do 2 "year's worth" of science projects over things that I have already extensively researched... And yet I can't get out of work I have understood independently.

High school science is boring is a great understatement

[VenomFangX]

Imagine that I have the ability to learn brain surgery without the "official" training of a University Medical School. I am sure I could buy all the books and study them with high proficiency and practice surgery techniques on animals. I am sure you would not feel confident in my ability to form a lobotomy or some other surgical technique without me being accredited to do so via correct University Qualifications. The same reasoning is similar to all disciplines: while self learning is great and cheap it does not lead to qualifications in most instances (unless it is the University Kent Hovind went to ) You might wish to reflect why this is so.
Official learning guides you through a pathway not of mere content but a plethora of skills which one day you might need: not the least putting up a cogent argument in this forum.
yours
ВеномФангЖ

[Violet]

Indeed However, as I do not intend to become a brain surgeon: why would i need those qualifications? I've neither the skill nor the patience nor any desire to be a brain surgeon Therefore: why would I ever need any more than a passing knowledge of brain surgery?

And of course... I think I would pass on the lobotomy ^_^

However, those things I am interested in studying... language, philosophy, etc... those will have degrees in my name... but that is not the reason for me to study them. I will be studying them professionally simply for knowledge gain. Anything else that comes from that is a bonus.

[theblindferrengi]

college education is little more but buying a title, yes you get the opportunity to learn what it is you signed up to, but if you are getting a degree in something, you are most likely interested in that and therefore would know alot from previous research independently that you found interesting. 3 outcomes of college to this effect are: you know what they try to teach you already, but u go through it to get the title (masters of biology, medical doctor ect.); you do learn as intended and as you paid for and then you get a title; you learn nothing at all and get the title you bought by paying people to do the papers for you. it is your own choice of course, but with out the title saying you are smart, people wont trust you as an expert as much; you could get a degree entirely by cheating and still get a high paying engineering job even though in actuallity you would be unqualified.

[Violet]

And probably wouldn't last long on the job ^_^ I rather do hope we can stay afloat for those two initial years... although I am not worried unless we have some of the worst luck I can imagine We've got a good set-up running here

And what are the chances of this having happened?! ^_^ Low enough that the almighty quantum mechanics idea might be true: "If it can happen, it has happened an infinite number of times."

[Minimalist]

High school science is boring is a great understatement

If you think school is boring wait until you enter the business field. Sometimes, learning how to deal with boredom might be the most important thing you do learn. If someone gave you the impression that life was one big series of good times you should find that person and kick them right in the mouth.[/quote]

(P.S. A lot of college courses are going to feel the same to you.)