Can one really think straight if one hasn't undergone rigorous training ....

[OwlHoot]

...in a hard, highly logical subject at a decent university e.g. maths, physics, engineering, even computer science, and mastered the course with a very good grade?
Aren't those who have done so snapped up by businesses, for good reason?
It's obvious that the more poorly educated in the CUK congregation lack thinking skills.
But what's more worrying is that our leaders Cameron (PPE - requires AS level maths only) and Osborne (History) probably can't think straight.

There are hundreds of thousands of people who leave education in their teens and go on to start successful businesses, like some/most of the dragons on Dragons Den.

And there are hordes of people who stay on at uni for years and years, doing MScs and PhDs etc, who can barely put their socks on the right way round

[BrilloPad]

But getting back to my original point, why is some mediocrity with a history degree in charge of the British economy?
Al least Vince Cable has one great idea, IMO: the need for a coherent industrial policy.

Because DC has the right connections. Perhaps proof that there is no real democracy - every 5 years one gets to choose between 2 people. I vote LibDem - as the candidate had a great name. Dr Tool. Though I think he would make a better bond villain than MP.

On the bright side, I am hoping a great leader will step forward . In the same way that Thatcher followed Heath.

[SueEllen]

Because DC has the right connections. Perhaps proof that there is no real democracy - every 5 years one gets to choose between 2 people. I vote LibDem - as the candidate had a great name. Dr Tool. Though I think he would make a better bond villain than MP.

On the bright side, I am hoping a great leader will step forward . In the same way that Thatcher followed Heath.

The state educated yoof of today have to much sense to go into politics.

And in my area the only normally educated person was the Green Party candidate. There wasn't a Labour Party candidate as they knew they had no chance.

[Gibbon]

But getting back to my original point, why is some mediocrity with a history degree in charge of the British economy?
Al least Vince Cable has one great idea, IMO: the need for a coherent industrial policy.

Are you implying that these are bedfellows? I agree that he is mediocre, but is that because of his degree subject? or just because he's a shoe-horned in Tory Patrician.

[SueEllen]

Are you implying that these are bedfellows? I agree that he is mediocre, but is that because of his degree subject? or just because he's a shoe-horned in Tory Patrician.

Correlation equals causation obviously.

[BrilloPad]

Correlation equals causation obviously.

Can you extrapolate that please?

[SueEllen]

Can you extrapolate that please?

According to the Sas theory of logic John Major was obviously the worst Prime Minister we ever had because he had no degree.

[d000hg]

...in a hard, highly logical subject at a decent university e.g. maths, physics, engineering, even computer science, and mastered the course with a very good grade?
Aren't those who have done so snapped up by businesses, for good reason?
It's obvious that the more poorly educated in the CUK congregation lack thinking skills.
But what's more worrying is that our leaders Cameron (PPE - requires AS level maths only) and Osborne (History) probably can't think straight.

Isn't History generally regarded as one of the best 'solid' degrees because it requires you to compare several sources, determine bias, etc? Therefore it teaches good thinking practices and the ability to form strong, consistent arguments?

Maths teaches you to work in a logical set of steps, but not necessarily to think. I suppose science subjects fall in between the two from Physics at the Maths end to Biology nearer the History end.

My point being solid arts subjects at a decent uni are just as good, maybe better, at teaching how to think. Perhaps the ideal degree would then be a joint honours in maths/physics & history?

[BrilloPad]

According to the Sas theory of logic John Major was obviously the worst Prime Minister we ever had because he had no degree.

Though he might have a point. If you ignore Brown. And Heath. And Macmillan.

[sasguru]

According to the Sas theory of logic John Major was obviously the worst Prime Minister we ever had because he had no degree.

You're only making my point for me.
He was certainly a complete mediocrity.
The only reason he won in 1992 is because the Labour leader was unelectable.