[lyndonh]

I don't feel that my degree was in vain at all, you're trying to put words into my mouth. Lab sessions in which you must apply knowledge yourself give you the chance to investigate, experiment and see for yourself if what you were taught has any truth to it. The method of examining your success in a taught course does not necessarily determine what was learnt; some of us actually thought for ourselves.

What's with putting scare quotes on my use of the word applying ? I think you've got some issues here because you've deliberately written your reply to twist what I've said to fit your viewpoint. I feel sorry for you that you cannot see the difference to studying at university to learn and being brainwashed. Maybe that's what you did when you studied and now regret you didn't see the big picture ?

I'm not saying Nassim Taleb is wrong or that I am correct but you really should think for yourself a bit more and read around the subject rather than taking one particular view or the popular view as being the only view.

Come on, I mean in the real world who gives a damn about whether you went to an Ivy League or not if you really know your stuff.