Exactly, No one can be proficient in every field. I think what Mary Anne (and Dan in a different thread/board) is that although nobody can be masters in all fields everybody should try to be "jacks of all trades" in as many fields as possibe. Having a basic understanding of science and technology will benefit all areas. I need not know how the graphite in my pencil is refined, only that there are many systems and layers of technology in this pencil I hold. By breaking it in half I can see some of the different technologies right next to each other. If I want to know more I can read about them. Lack of information is no excuse in this information golden age. How much I choose to learn about the process of pencil making is up to me, but saying its just too damn complicated is a cop out. If you want to know how its done, find out.

I don't need a university to learn and neither do you Bluh. Granted Universities can make the process easier and there's the accredidation that goes with it, but it is not the end-all be-all for learning. If you want to be an engineer, but can't quite get a handle on the math (I've been there too) then don't just sit at home, find another way to get into the industry. For instance you can go to a trade school or community college and learn how to be a draftsman. Then go work for that Engineering firm and be a sponge. Eventually the rest will come if you work hard and learn as much as you can get your eyeballs on.

I am currently a draftsman in an architectural firm. I am getting paid $30,000 / year to learn what the architects paid xx amount of money in tuition to learn. The laws in my state allow me to intern under an architect for 8 years and then be eligible to take the Architectural Registration Exams. That's without going to the University for 5 years + 3 year mandatory internship. The amount of years is the same, but I end up getting paid for all 8 years where as the university student paid 5 years and gets paid for 3 years. Now my route is definitely the harder route, because I am the one completely responsible for my education. If I don't learn on my own, I won't pass the ARE. I do like doing it this way though, because it fits my current financial obligations like a glove. A tight glove, but it fits nevertheless.

So Bluh, buck up and do something with your life or don't, its 100% up to you. I'd rather hear from the real Success Machine in a few years, not some complainer called bluh.

-Steve G.