[dagw]

It seems like a number of people on that list are authors and artists. Those are fields where university education has never really been of any significance. It would be more interesting to see a list with those and similar professions removed.

Secondly a couple of them are very dubious,for example Chuck Yeager didn't attend college, but calling him self educated is a bit of a stretch as it ignores all the training and education he got in the military.

[electromagnetic]

I remember when I worked as a reviewer, I was told by multiple editors that they took people on because of the 'personal voice' in their writing. One linked me to an interview with one of the top editors in the UK, who simply stated: anyone applying for a job, with a degree in journalism on their resume anywhere above the bottom of their list of job experience will have the paper thrown out.

Since 'New Journalism' entered the market it has decimated colleges and universities abilities to produce journalists. Simply put, personal voice cannot be taught and paying for an education in journalism is a major waste of time that could be spent starting at the bottom. I was taken on as a reviewer at 16 as I had the ability to make my editor laugh. I was admittedly rough in the beginning, but being a combination of a fast learner and willing to learn meant I was turned around quickly and was writing the best reviews.

An editor's job is to recognize talent and save the newbie's asses along the way. Once an editor teaches a new journalist the right style and what they're looking for, any talented journalist will barely need any editing. I know by the end of my stint as a reviewer my editor basically only had to say 'yes' or 'no' to an article and I'd have it rewritten in an hour or two to how he wanted it.

[j_baker]

What makes you say that? Of course college education is important to authors and artists. Of course, I would bet that it's easier to make it in those fields without a degree than in programming.

[dagw]

Obviously any educations is helpful, but getting published without a degree isn't anywhere near as impressive as getting a job as a lawyer or research scientist without a university degree.

[mml]

I know many self-taught "software engineers". Most, if not all of them spend a great deal of time training BS-CSCI holders how to make a living out of their science. Many of the best programmers I've worked with didn't even start, much less finish college.

If disrespecting the likes of Major General Chuck Yeager (who can still kick Chuck Norris's ass) makes you feel better about your student loans, more power to you.

[dagw]

What? Where the hell did I disrespect Chuck Yeager? I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man. All I said was that he isn't a self taught pilot. He was in the military and the military trained him. Why is saying that disrespectful or in any way lessening the amazing things he's achieved.