Mar 12, 2007, 10:50 PM
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I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I climb with people who stopped at high school and make more money than I do (or will graduate when they get to be 17 or 18), up to medical researchers who make waaaay more money than I do.
Sadly climbers are remarkably entirely made of middleclass to upper middleclass. This data alone should show that the majority of climbers either have post secondary, or have the oportunity to go to post secondary.
Not saying that we are all wealthy, but climbing generally requires a combination of enough disposable income to afford the gear and take the time off to enjoy the sport.
With that being said, I clawed my way through Tech School, but with climbing have surrounded myself with brilliant minds; Doctors, Proffesors, Ministers, and Engineers.
So lets not toot our own horn about how much more educated we are than say the local basketball club, rather lets identify that we have had better breaks and have taken advantage of them.
Not saying that we are all wealthy, but climbing generally requires a combination of enough disposable income to afford the gear and take the time off to enjoy the sport.
I would have to agree. Despite the seeming popularity of the "dirtbag" image, most "dirtbags" are "poor" more by choice than necessity if that makes any sense. I know very few people through all the years of climbing that I would classify as anything below "middle class"
I am in school....again. The first time around, well, lets just say my hubby and I started out family a little sooner than we planned. Now that the kiddos are a little older I am back in school. Hope to have a dual degree in special education and elementary education and in time will get a masters in school psychology.
I have voted for "Less than 4 yrs college or specialized training"
I finished college.
I would like to add that I don't think education has anything to do with climbing or anything particular in live. I have met people that finished university and are still morons without any good manners and think they are Mr. or Mrs big shot cause they finish this or that school.
(This post was edited by tradrenn on Mar 14, 2007, 10:45 PM)
I have friends who have finished college with B.S.'s and abandoned them in favor of a climbing lifestyle. If I had no debt, you can bet your ass I would do the same.
I have voted for "Less than 4 yrs college or specialized training"
I finished collage. I would like to add that I don't think education has anything to do with climbing or anything particular in live. I have met people that finished university and are still morons without any good manners and think they are Mr. or Mrs big shot cause they finish this or that school.
Do you think you are going to get a good view of the climbing spectrum from this website???????
Dirtbags without money to buy a computer. High school drop outs with a fear of computers. Climbers too busy to waste time on computers. These are all examples of people not included in your poll.
I would bet that 90% of the people frequenting this site do it from work or school. If they are doing it from work, then they have a desk job that implies college education. If they are in school, then I would guess they are/will be more educated by that standard of measure.
Do you think you are going to get a good view of the climbing spectrum from this website???????
With respect, what would I do with the whole truth if I could get it? This allows those of us at rc.com to say, "Ain't we a bunch a smart folks?" I know I did.
The poll is shifted even more to the high end than I expected. Ain't we a bunch a smart folks?
My grandfather would have said "smart fellers" and swapped the leading consonants on the two words.
Isn't it funny how much power a piece of paper can have over so many lives?
Honestly, I have seen so many smart people without the paper that I try to ignore those that mention it. Usually the people that have to say it are the ones you want to avoid.
oldsalt, sorry I missed the point of the thread. All that education obviously isn't helping me a bit.
I have an engineering degree and yet I am amazed with all the climbing how I managed.
Even now, with a job and little debt, I keep wondering whether I should just drop it and go wander, climb and see whats out there. Theres always time for a job and a master's degree later right?
I will probably spend a year thinking about it then just do it one day....
I would like to add that I don't think education has anything to do with climbing or anything particular in live. I have met people that finished university and are still morons without any good manners and think they are Mr. or Mrs big shot cause they finish this or that school.
I agree. Some of the most brilliant people I've encountered in my life have been without formal education; some of the stupidest, most ignorant people held PhDs.
Not that I would turn down a PhD in climbing. Ooh! Doctor of Climbing. I likey!
i too concur. the climber group, as a group, definitely has more of whom who have done better. and yes, by better i mean less worthless, less of a failure. there also ought to be a line clearly drawn within the group, too, so we can better distinguish those who are worth more from the rest of the riffraff and parasites who are dragging down the climber group as a whole, to further improve the group. able to see the worthless for what they are, sentimental sentiments aside, as we all know, is the important first step for any group to pare off its useless parts, its deadweights, like the malignant tumors that they are, for the overall good of the group. it's like scraping the barnacles off of a seafaring whale, restoring its streamline smoothness, so it can make even better time on its seasonal migration, hence more time in its breeding waters, hence even more whales, hence improvement of the whale group as a whole. so yeah, for the climber group, maybe a line right above those subsisting on Ramen. those who can afford the more upscale Top Ramen, on the other hand, that's definitely a step up and a sure sign of having achieved something. yeah, draw the line there
anyway, would love to go on, but i gotta run. i've an appointment at 3:00 to achieve, then another at 3:15 to succeed
I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I would be surprised, considering that fewer than one person in four on this website knows the difference between the words "your" and "you're."
Isn't it funny how much power a piece of paper can have over so many lives?
Honestly, I have seen so many smart people without the paper that I try to ignore those that mention it. Usually the people that have to say it are the ones you want to avoid.
oldsalt, sorry I missed the point of the thread. All that education obviously isn't helping me a bit.
Unfortunately, in my line of work that little piece of paper does mean allot. Just actively working for it has brought attention to me and what I'm willing to accomplish and it proves that I have an aptitude for learning and bettering myself.
I work with a guy who should be working a top level engineering job, but because he doesn't have that piece of paper he isn't there. Ultimately that piece of paper should mean $$ in your pocket. It DOES NOT necessarily dictate that the person who has it is quality in nature.
I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I would be surprised, considering that fewer than one person in four on this website knows the difference between the words "your" and "you're."
the only job my philosophy BA qualiifies me for is dirtbag.
yeah philo BAs! and yeah for their uselessness. I'm working on mine now. Don't forget, having that hard earned philosophy degree also qualifies you to work at a book store with sixteen year olds. The possibilities are endless!
I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I would be surprised, considering that fewer than one person in four on this website knows the difference between the words "your" and "you're."
Jay
your wrong
I would have to say "You're wrong, as in you are wrong." The your is to show possession, but i'm no english major and I could be wrong.
I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I would be surprised, considering that fewer than one person in four on this website knows the difference between the words "your" and "you're."
Jay
your wrong
I would have to say "You're wrong, as in you are wrong." The your is to show possession, but i'm no english major and I could be wrong.
I am guessing that our demographic will show that as a group we are better educated than many other groups sharing a specialized non-academic interest.
I would be surprised, considering that fewer than one person in four on this website knows the difference between the words "your" and "you're."
Jay
That's about what I was going to say. Considering the level of education, I'm surprised/annoyed/dismayed by how little of that time was spent, apparently, on basic writing skills.
I work with a guy who should be working a top level engineering job, but because he doesn't have that piece of paper he isn't there. Ultimately that piece of paper should mean $$ in your pocket. It DOES NOT necessarily dictate that the person who has it is quality in nature.
Sad but true. I felt that getting my degree was a hoop I had to jump through to start getting paid well.
actually, i know the difference between the two, but on an internet forum, who cares? I type little notes on here when i have a minute or two inbetween tasks at work......i look at this more like writing an IM, mostly slang, just enough to get the point across. I didn't realize we were being graded on Grammer.......i knew i should have taken up english instead of mathematics.....
Do you think you are going to get a good view of the climbing spectrum from this website???????
Dirtbags without money to buy a computer. High school drop outs with a fear of computers. Climbers too busy to waste time on computers. These are all examples of people not included in your poll.
I would bet that 90% of the people frequenting this site do it from work or school. If they are doing it from work, then they have a desk job that implies college education. If they are in school, then I would guess they are/will be more educated by that standard of measure.
ps, almost got a PhD here
I agree! And you forgot to mention the people who don't want to admit they didn't finish High school. Looks like an internet poll I saw once "do you use the internet? yes or no"
and the way, why isn't the poll more specific?? Grad scholl, finished grad, finished post-grad, nobel prize winner...
actually, i know the difference between the two, but on an internet forum, who cares? I type little notes on here when i have a minute or two inbetween tasks at work......i look at this more like writing an IM, mostly slang, just enough to get the point across. I didn't realize we were being graded on Grammer.......i knew i should have taken up english instead of mathematics.....
and there's the point
More often then not, the arguments on RC.com are from misunderstandings. If you tried to get more then the general gist across, then you might succeed in actually conveying your idea.
I agree, you can be very informal on internet forums, but one still needs to succeed in espousing their ideas. Writing skills can be ingrained such that it takes no extra time to write in complete sentences or spell correctly. In my opinion, even informal posts should be reread for clarity. It is easier for the poster to reread a formal post and check for clarity.
I didn't realize we were being graded on Grammer.......
Every time you write you're being "graded" on grammar (which is not capitalized and ends in "-ar"). People judge by your writing whether your post is worth reading and responding to. Many posts are so poorly written that educated readers can't be bothered to read them. In fact, the number one reason that I have heard from well-educated climbers who don't participate in the site is that they can't stand all the semi-literate adolescent-speak in the forums.
I must be a snob, because (based on the thread that I read) it is an entirely tacky site that makes RC.com look like the Journal of the American Medical Association.
I think your poll is decent. Although there are many shortcomings (pointed out above) - it does reveal an interesting side of rc.comers.
I starting a family and climbing before I earned my degree. Going to school while trying to be a dad, husband and climber was tough. Glad to be done (with school).
PS I already made the money - just wanted the education to fill in the blanks.
the only job my philosophy BA qualiifies me for is dirtbag.
yeah philo BAs! and yeah for their uselessness. I'm working on mine now. Don't forget, having that hard earned philosophy degree also qualifies you to work at a book store with sixteen year olds. The possibilities are endless!
The possibilities are endless. My daughters is philosophy/religion. She is a massage therapist. wtf!! On the education thing I have four years in the ateth grade. Then they graduated me. I really have a bit over a year of college that I picked up 25 years after graduating from high school. I then decided it wasn't worth the stress. I did always want a college education but things didn't work out. I now have less than eight months to I retire and live the dirtbag roadtrip life but with a pension check. I will travel around the country hitting up rc.commers for drinks and a place to stay. J__ung is only a 4-5 hour drive from home so I guess he will be the first stop.
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