[bugsy]

Not just IT, but nearly all subjects are actually learned mostly outside school. The exceptions are a few topics such as indoctrination into propaganda, and learning docile obedience to authority, which do happen mostly at school.

Falk and Dierking found that 95% of science education happens outside of school. They also found that American adults have greater scientific literacy than the adults of any other nation. Americans only do worse when they are in state schools. Once they are free from them, they become educated.

http://caise.insci.org/uploads/docs/FalkandDierking95perc.pd...

If one wants a more educated populace, the answer is less school, not more. School makes people ignorant, docile, obedient, and kills their natural curiosity and creativity. Also puts them into crippling debt if they keep on the treadmill too long.

[moxiemk1]

When you define words and phrases like "subjects," "docile obedience," "science education," "scientific literacy," "educated," "school," and "ignorant" differently than their common usage (as you have done), it is possible to make an argument that says whatever you want, really.

[bugsy]

Sorry do you have sources? I posted a citation to a reliable study. Sorry you don't like it. I'm surprised you were able to read it so quickly, you must be a really fast reader.

Here's a column of feedback from readers to the study: http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/getting-science-...

I know right, it says "american scientist", based on your comment, that must seem like an oxymoron to you since "everyone knows" americans are stupid and don't do science. I'll be sure to mention that to Neil Armstrong next time I see him.

[grammr]

"If one wants a more educated populace, the answer is less school, not more."

This is the most ignorant statement I've seen on HN so far this year. Institutional education is far from perfect, but that hardly means we are better off without it. You denounce education because people manage to learn a lot outside of schools, but the materials and resources that enable such learning are direct byproducts of academia itself.

[smokeyj]

I think there's room to debate institutionalized vs informal learning methods. Tech skills in market demand evolve faster than institutions can effectively keep up with, which means informal learning is a requisite for becoming competitive anyways. This isn't bad either.

Informal education would rely on certification, internships, and on-site training, which are all cost-effective. I'm just saying a debate could be had :)