they had a "junior english exam" when came through
the first time -- to weed out folks in science and
engineering who could not write. they asked for an
essay about one of four subjects, and I picked the
one about science versus art (likely subject, for
those trying to intimidate us). started off with a
verbatim quote (no reference materials allowed,
mind you) from T.H.Huxley, Aldous' dad. then, I
went into orbit around the way that art is only
possible, after the work of science is done. . not
to pixx them off, but to demonstrate that both
science and art exist in a lovely dance where each
empowers the other.

passed the exam. -- j

You're too versatile. Can't put you in a box. That's a good thing.

it was a rental house ... college student ... poverty-
stricken ... but I could write! -- j

You gotta be born with that. Son #2 and me are fix-it cripples. We were the writers and musicians, they are the fix anything from machines to carpentry, etc.

like the time I rebuilt the engine on my ducati 160
in the bedroom -- ran great with that allen wrench
which I used as a key to stabilize the flywheel !!! -- j

Absolutely.
Where do you think the grandson got his talent from? The engineer can fix anything when he has the time which is pretty much limited to his own bailiwick. But we can impose on grandson more often. I can only fix stuff with great effort. What would take me an hour, they seem to be able to do in 5 minutes. I knew I had a fixer when engineer was ten. I had a broken tape recorder. Son asked if he could have it. Why not, it was broken. Later I saw the parts all over his bedroom floor. The next day, it was working.

hey -- there are engineers like your grandson,
who love to fix things and modify and invent and
discover and wander through new stuff, just to
find out how it works ... really;;; I r one! -- j

All crap. The gov controls so many things I wish people would see the damage and place the blame correctly.

Auto shops closed at high schools. They won't let me volunteer teach, because I do not have a teachers certificate.

Work for a living, who would have thought?

I have a grandson who is like this man's grandpa. One of my sons was that way, but he became and engineer. Grandson never worries about having a job, he can fix anything, but don't ask him to write an essay on what he does. After 5 minutes, he'll get bored, disassemble the desk and turn it into an armchair, fix the leak in the bathroom sink, and repair that light socket that keeps blowing out bulbs. I'm not putting my son down, he's a good guy, but I like hanging out with my grandson better.

Just a suggestion, if you enjoy "Dirty Jobs" you should try watching "The Worst Jobs in History" from the BBC (available on YouTube) People complain about their jobs today and all I can think about is working in a Victorian Tannery... ughghgh

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was three years ago... He's been busy promoting this... I think he realizes it....probably knew from the get go.

Oh really...Lol...Must not have, skilled workers are far & few between, so if you find one, let them know how productive they are. There are many, many reasons for that...mostly laziness and expecting to live like a king and not work for it :(

My company is having a hell of a time finding solderers and electromechanical assemblers in the Baltimore area. This more than anything else is slowing down what would otherwise be explosive growth.

(If you happen to know someone that has skills in those areas, or even someone that is relatively dexterous, is eager to learn, and has a decent work ethic, please feel free to private message me)

I recall being surprised in the Birmingham area as an office worker looking dude had a local service come and change a tire on his car.
In the book World War Z (way different than the movie) survivors who had no longer needed jobs like programmers derived great satisfaction from fixing and building things after they were taught a still needed trade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Z...

right as he IS unfortunately his remarks were presented to welfare recipients other wise known as congressman. a year from now when he realizes that they have done nothing to help him, which he was asking for and which i find detestable he will realize his presentation was for naught.

Absolutely right. Everyone does NOT need to be a doctor, engineer, lawyer, programmer, CEO or CFO, and not everyone is cut out for it.

Auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, backhoe operators are needed too.

We need a show like "America's got Discipline" or "America's got Work Ethic". Who gives a rat's a$$ about singers?

Well, doesn't look like it... this was three years ago. :(

He uses common sense. I wonder if they will get it.