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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can you speak a foreign language, give the dates of the French Revolution and the American Civil War, recite a classical poem, name at least five operas and their composers, solve a system of linear equations, explain how a microwave works? Have you read a work of fiction in the last year? Read any work of fiction considered a "classic" outside of school?

If you answer no to any of the above, and especially if you claim that one of the above is not necessary because you specialized in something else in college and graduate school, then I would consider you uneducated even if you have a PhD.

Now excuse me as I run to Wikipedia to read up on microwaves should any of you decide to call me on it. :)[/quote]

My sister has a JD and my brother is an MD. I have an asosciate's degree. My siblings know how to say "I'm sorry, Where's the bathroom? and Another beer, please." in Spanish. Other than that they don't speak a foreign language. They might know the approximate dates of the American Civil War, but that's a big maybe. All three of us can recite a classical poem. None of us could name five operas, maybe my brother could solve linear equations. We could all mumble about a microwave oven but only because our dad is an engineer. We all read lots of fiction, but are not fans of classic fiction.  How often do you need any of that stuff? [/quote]

This is really sad. You don't learn this stuff because you need to, you learn it because it enriches your life. You need not have learned it in school (some of the most well-read people I know have highly specialized educations in math and science) but if you have any intellectual curiosity you will pick most of it up eventually. [/quote]

How does naming operas enriches your life? I love music and can name dozens of operas. That said, I picked it up because I listen to music a lot. Some of the other stuff on your list I have no interest in. If having a PhD doesn't make you educated, neither does knowing random, superficial factoids.[/quote]

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