Topic: Random Postings

[Arachne]

[Asteriktos]

Another year, another tuition increase in PA state-owned universities. On top of that our two largest schools (Pitt and Penn State) happen to be the two most expensive public universities in the entire country. 

[Arachne]

Another year, another tuition increase in PA state-owned universities. On top of that our two largest schools (Pitt and Penn State) happen to be the two most expensive public universities in the entire country. 

Isn't that an oxymoron?

[Asteriktos]

Here in the states people pay to go to public universities. Or in the case of these two schools (and two others in PA), the state government gives money to them, and then the students give them more money but get to attend at a discounted rate.

[Arachne]

Talk about a roundabout definition of public.

In Greece, tertiary education is strictly state-funded and consequently absolutely free (including textbooks). It's our reward for making it through the PTSD-inducing entry exam system.

[Alpo]

In Greece, tertiary education is strictly state-funded and consequently absolutely free (including textbooks). It's our reward for making it through the PTSD-inducing entry exam system.

Same goes for Finland. We have some other fees (~100€) though that we must pay every year in order to be able to continue university studies. They are not called as tuition fees but I guess in practice they are exactly that since they are compulsory. I don't like them but I guess I have nothing to complain as ~100€ is fairly trivial sum for a tuition fee.

[Arachne]

I don't like them but I guess I have nothing to complain as ~100€ is fairly trivial sum for a tuition fee.

Or British ones. A couple of years ago, when the relevant restrictions were lifted, fees nearly tripled overnight. £9K a year is nothing to magic up out of thin air.

[Alpo]

I don't like them but I guess I have nothing to complain as ~100€ is fairly trivial sum for a tuition fee.

Or British ones. A couple of years ago, when the relevant restrictions were lifted, fees nearly tripled overnight. £9K a year is nothing to magic up out of thin air.

How British kids from poor families are supposed to be able to study in a university if tuition fees are that big?

[Arachne]

I don't like them but I guess I have nothing to complain as ~100€ is fairly trivial sum for a tuition fee.

Or British ones. A couple of years ago, when the relevant restrictions were lifted, fees nearly tripled overnight. £9K a year is nothing to magic up out of thin air.

How British kids from poor families are supposed to be able to study in a university if tuition fees are that big?

There are income-based grants, and scholarships for the really bright ones, but in general I suspect we're going to see a lot more apprenticeships and flexible study schedules, rather than the conventional three years full-time.

[Alpo]

but in general I suspect we're going to see a lot more apprenticeships and flexible study schedules, rather than the conventional three years full-time.

Which costs are lot of money for the society as the people stay out of labour market for a longer period. I wonder if it would be cheaper in the long run to just cut down tuition fees.

[Arachne]

but in general I suspect we're going to see a lot more apprenticeships and flexible study schedules, rather than the conventional three years full-time.

Which costs are lot of money for the society as the people stay out of labour market for a longer period. I wonder if it would be cheaper in the long run to just cut down tuition fees.

Not really. People opt for part-time study so that they can keep working at the same time. Of course, there must be jobs for them, whether during or after their studies, which is another painful story...

[Alpo]

but in general I suspect we're going to see a lot more apprenticeships and flexible study schedules, rather than the conventional three years full-time.

Which costs are lot of money for the society as the people stay out of labour market for a longer period. I wonder if it would be cheaper in the long run to just cut down tuition fees.

Not really. People opt for part-time study so that they can keep working at the same time. Of course, there must be jobs for them, whether during or after their studies, which is another painful story...

And they must have well-paid jobs so that the amount of money they produce for the society as a part-time student correlates the amount money that could be saved by people getting faster into labour market as a full-blown professionals and taxpayers.

Well now. Apparently I found my inner Scandinavian. I didn't know I was a Socialist.

[TheTrisagion]

In Greece, tertiary education is strictly state-funded and consequently absolutely free (including textbooks). It's our reward for making it through the PTSD-inducing entry exam system.

Same goes for Finland. We have some other fees (~100€) though that we must pay every year in order to be able to continue university studies. They are not called as tuition fees but I guess in practice they are exactly that since they are compulsory. I don't like them but I guess I have nothing to complain as ~100€ is fairly trivial sum for a tuition fee.

Oh you crazy Europeans thinking that public means free.  Here in the US, we have the privilege for paying such things and then we spend the first 10-15 years of our working life paying those loans off.  Of course, with the economy in the crapper, it is often longer than that. McDonalds doesn't really cover student loan costs. 

[TheTrisagion]

Another year, another tuition increase in PA state-owned universities. On top of that our two largest schools (Pitt and Penn State) happen to be the two most expensive public universities in the entire country. 

I blame Joe Paterno, memory eternal.  Everything that goes wrong in this state is his fault. 

[That person]

I was talking to a friend from high school, who's now looking at grad schools. I tried to talk him into trying somewhere in Memphis, but he was reluctant, given the South's reputation for not being terribly gay-friendly. I thought it was odd that he was that focused on a political issue in determining where to move, but it turns out he's been out for like a year and it's just never come up before.

[celticfan1888]

I was talking to a friend from high school, who's now looking at grad schools. I tried to talk him into trying somewhere in Memphis, but he was reluctant, given the South's reputation for not being terribly gay-friendly. I thought it was odd that he was that focused on a political issue in determining where to move, but it turns out he's been out for like a year and it's just never come up before.

What? They love gays in New Orleans. In Asheville, NC as well.

[Asteriktos]

I was in the process of writing a post on this thread when my power went out. It took about 1.5 seconds for my power to come back on. It then took about 4 minutes for my computer to reboot and my modem to reset. Will my first world problems ever end?

[TheTrisagion]

I was in the process of writing a post on this thread when my power went out. It took about 1.5 seconds for my power to come back on. It then took about 4 minutes for my computer to reboot and my modem to reset. Will my first world problems ever end?

I shall keep your tribulations in memory at all times.

[J Michael]

I was in the process of writing a post on this thread when my power went out. It took about 1.5 seconds for my power to come back on. It then took about 4 minutes for my computer to reboot and my modem to reset. Will my first world problems ever end?

No.

[Asteriktos]

I shall keep your tribulations in memory at all times.

No.

[J Michael]

I shall keep your tribulations in memory at all times.

No.

If that picture was translated into words, I'd swear it was orthonorm posting.  

(You asked, I  answered .)

[Kerdy]

I was talking to a friend from high school, who's now looking at grad schools. I tried to talk him into trying somewhere in Memphis, but he was reluctant, given the South's reputation for not being terribly gay-friendly. I thought it was odd that he was that focused on a political issue in determining where to move, but it turns out he's been out for like a year and it's just never come up before.

What? They love gays in New Orleans. In Asheville, NC as well.

Pretty much everywhere now it's openly accepted.  Those opposed are forcibly shut up.  Your friend can go where he wants.

[biro]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

[Kerdy]

So, I've been having some issues with my back and decided to get X-rays done of my entire spine.  Didn't hear anything for a few days and stopped in to find out the results.  I have to make another appointment just to find out what the results were, but I can't call to make an appointment until next week. 

This is why I don't go to the doctors office.

[Kerdy]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

You see things differently?  Being shouted down, titled a hate-monger and bigot, charged with garbage such as hate speech, if not compliant being placed on academic probation, physical assaults, etc. isn't forcibly shutting people up?  What's left, bullet to the head?  This stuff happens and it's getting worse.  No fantasy to it.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

You see things differently?  Being shouted down, titled a hate-monger and bigot, charged with garbage such as hate speech, if not compliant being placed on academic probation, physical assaults, etc. isn't forcibly shutting people up?  What's left, bullet to the head?  This stuff happens and it's getting worse.  No fantasy to it.

You're such a bigot Kerdy. You need to gain some enlightenment or else you'll face the guillotine like all narrow minded religious fanatics.


Selam

[Kerdy]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know.  

You see things differently?  Being shouted down, titled a hate-monger and bigot, charged with garbage such as hate speech, if not compliant being placed on academic probation, physical assaults, etc. isn't forcibly shutting people up?  What's left, bullet to the head?  This stuff happens and it's getting worse.  No fantasy to it.

You're such a bigot Kerdy. You need to gain some enlightenment or else you'll face the guillotine like all narrow minded religious fanatics.


Selam

I know.  I should be ashamed of myself.  At least the guillotine would provide me some perspective.

[celticfan1888]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

In his defense, it does happen in many of the Hyper-Lib cities of both America and Western Europe.

[TheTrisagion]

I've been listening to Ke$ha for an hour.  Is there any hope for me? 

[biro]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

In his defense, it does happen in many of the Hyper-Lib cities of both America and Western Europe.

Not really. If he really wants to be forcibly oppressed, he can pay to have it done in private. There are lots of people who will do it that way.

[That person]

I was talking to a friend from high school, who's now looking at grad schools. I tried to talk him into trying somewhere in Memphis, but he was reluctant, given the South's reputation for not being terribly gay-friendly. I thought it was odd that he was that focused on a political issue in determining where to move, but it turns out he's been out for like a year and it's just never come up before.

What? They love gays in New Orleans. In Asheville, NC as well.

Pretty much everywhere now it's openly accepted.  Those opposed are forcibly shut up.  Your friend can go where he wants.

Well, he's the one affected here, so I'll let him be the judge.

[Cyrillic]

Forcibly shut up?

Again, a glimpse into Kerdy's fantasy life nobody really wanted to know. 

In his defense, it does happen in many of the Hyper-Lib cities of both America and Western Europe.

Not really. If he really wants to be forcibly oppressed, he can pay to have it done in private.

Or he could get married, if he isn't already.

[Kerdy]

I was talking to a friend from high school, who's now looking at grad schools. I tried to talk him into trying somewhere in Memphis, but he was reluctant, given the South's reputation for not being terribly gay-friendly. I thought it was odd that he was that focused on a political issue in determining where to move, but it turns out he's been out for like a year and it's just never come up before.

What? They love gays in New Orleans. In Asheville, NC as well.

Pretty much everywhere now it's openly accepted.  Those opposed are forcibly shut up.  Your friend can go where he wants.

Well, he's the one affected here, so I'll let him be the judge.

The South isn't what it used to be.  Most people aren't going to say anything to him unless he does something really crazy, especially in the bigger cities.  Asheville is a good suggestion, very liberally spirited there.  In fact, pretty much anywhere in NC that isn't really small.

[Shiny]

I've been listening to Ke$ha for an hour.  Is there any hope for me? 

<----------------

[Cyrillic]

I found the 1869 Harvard entrance exam. If they would have sticked to it Harvard would have no students today.

[Alpo]

I found the 1899 Harvard entrance exam. If they would have sticked to it Harvard would have no students today.

But the American society might be more civilized. If they have retained Latin, nobody would go to McDonalds.

[Cyrillic]

I found the 1899 Harvard entrance exam. If they would have sticked to it Harvard would have no students today.

But the American society might be more civilized. If they have retained Latin, nobody would go to McDonalds.

Or, if they would have kept it as a requirement, everyone would work at McDonalds 

[Alpo]

I found the 1899 Harvard entrance exam. If they would have sticked to it Harvard would have no students today.

But the American society might be more civilized. If they have retained Latin, nobody would go to McDonalds.

Or, if they would have kept it as a requirement, everyone would work at McDonalds 

Barbarian! No civilized human being works at McDonalds. In the good old days every well-raised gentleman worked in a sweatshop.

[Cyrillic]

And remember, there was no calculator back in 1869.

[augustin717]

All you that pine for the ancien regime and other reactionaries, Happy Bastille day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-E2H1ChJM

[celticfan1888]

Hong Kong is such a sexy city.

[Asteriktos]

I was at the end of a contract with my gym, and I found out this morning that they automatically signed me up for an "optional" renewal of my membership. Apparently optional means "if you don't give us 30 days written notice that you want to cancel, we're going to continue charging you". This means I'll be paying for two months that I don't want and won't use. I should have seen this coming.

[Asteriktos]

And remember, there was no calculator back in 1869.

They had bigger backpacks back then.

[Iconodule]

I was at the end of a contract with my gym, and I found out this morning that they automatically signed me up for an "optional" renewal of my membership. Apparently optional means "if you don't give us 30 days written notice that you want to cancel, we're going to continue charging you". This means I'll be paying for two months that I don't want and won't use. I should have seen this coming.

Gyms are pretty scummy like that. My wife and I had a similar situation. Basically, we just harassed some dude on the phone for a good 2 hours (apparently he was not allowed to hang up) and eventually we got our money back.

[J Michael]

I was at the end of a contract with my gym, and I found out this morning that they automatically signed me up for an "optional" renewal of my membership. Apparently optional means "if you don't give us 30 days written notice that you want to cancel, we're going to continue charging you". This means I'll be paying for two months that I don't want and won't use. I should have seen this coming.

Gyms are pretty scummy like that. My wife and I had a similar situation. Basically, we just harassed some dude on the phone for a good 2 hours (apparently he was not allowed to hang up) and eventually we got our money back.

That probably burned more calories for you than 2 months of workouts at the gym.  Well done!