In news: snipped-for-privacy@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com
> timestamped Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:53:42 -0700, Benj
> posted:
> "[..]
>
> [..] A PhD candidate is supposed to be
> required to contribute to the world's knowledge to obtain the title.
> The unfortunate aspect of this is that schools are usually highly
> centered upon class work."
>
> Really?
>
> "[..] Class work tends to involve
> lots of memory and agreeing with the professor (even when he/she is
> dead wrong).
>
> I knew this one guy, who was the ace student of the EE department.
> The guy never got a grade below an A in his entire life. But then
> suddenly classwork was over! He had not the SLIGHTEST clue where to
> begin doing research. [..]
>
> [..]"
>
> Unfortunately supposed research at the level of a Ph.D. can entail
> agreeing with a professor who is mistaken. If the professor can be
> mistaken on established fields in classes, the outlook for
> comprehending the research issues are not necessarily better.
So how many of us has not figured out that this is just part of the standing residue of witch doctors and thug rulers. Damn few should remain unedified after this.