question . . . . .

[Asher]

Isn't it amazing that you can get a job that requires no original thinking, and constant referencing? It's called the academic circle jerk.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Agathon
Actually it sounds ok. Mine had about 144 per chapter if that makes you feel any better.

One can't judge the quality of a paper by the quantity of footnotes or endnotes -- this was meant as more of a light-hearted, semi-spam thread.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher
Isn't it amazing that you can get a job that requires no original thinking, and constant referencing? It's called the academic circle jerk.

My original argument requires that I reinforce my argument with evidence gathered from primary sources and secondary sources.

Can you grasp that concept?

[Asher]

Yes, but I have a hard time understanding how original one can be in history, given that all you're doing is telling what happened.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher
Yes, but I have a hard time understanding how original one can be in history, given that all you're doing is telling what happened.

How ignorant are you about history and the study of history?

Do you know why there are dozens and dozens of different authors who have written different books on just one historical person -- say, for example, Abraham Lincoln?

Because they are not merely retelling the same thing over and over -- each author provides a new argument or a different perspective on the same subject.

To discuss different aspects of the same subject is not equated with retelling the same thing over and over.

[Asher]

Originally posted by MrFun
How ignorant are you about history and the study of history?

Do you know why there are dozens and dozens of different authors who have written different books on just one historical person -- say, for example, Abraham Lincoln?

I imagine it has something to do with why there's so many versions of the bible. People insert bull**** to support their theories and then people use that to insert more bull**** to support their new theories until it's all bastardized and no one cares anymore.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher

I imagine it has something to do with why there's so many versions of the bible. People insert bull**** to support their theories and then people use that to insert more bull**** to support their new theories until it's all bastardized and no one cares anymore.

yeah, sure thing . . . . .

[Asher]

It's true. It's the same phenomenon that happens if you whisper a rumour to someone in high school, and by the time it comes back to you it's completely different.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher
It's true. It's the same phenomenon that happens if you whisper a rumour to someone in high school, and by the time it comes back to you it's completely different.

You're comparing high school rumors with the professional study of history!!

[Asher]

Historians are people, too. Just like high school students.

It's a human phenomenon, Historians are not immune to it. And calling historians any sort of professional tickles my funnybone.

[Winston]

You call it a funnybone now?

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher
Historians are people, too. Just like high school students.

It's a human phenomenon, Historians are not immune to it. And calling historians any sort of professional tickles my funnybone.

Historians are paid a salary for their work -- hence, it's a profession.

[Asher]

Originally posted by MrFun
Historians are paid a salary for their work -- hence, it's a profession.

Interesting definition. Garbage collectors are professionals too, then. Kind of dilutes the purpose of the word.

Are all engineers professionals? Then why is it that it's illegal for anyone to call themselves a professional engineer if they are not accredited?

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher

Interesting definition. Garbage collectors are professionals too, then. Kind of dilutes the purpose of the word.

Are all engineers professionals? Then why is it that it's illegal for anyone to call themselves a professional engineer if they are not accredited?

from dictionary.com:
pro·fes·sion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-fshn)
n.

An occupation or career: “One of the highest compliments a child can pay a parent is to choose his or her profession” (Joan Nathan).
An occupation, such as law, medicine, or engineering, that requires considerable training and specialized study.
The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field: members of the teaching profession.
An act or instance of professing; a declaration.
An avowal of faith or belief.
A faith or belief: believers of various professions.

Have you noticed how historians who teach fit in the first definition -- "an occupation or career?" Or, how a historian who teaches fits in the third definition -- "The body of qualified persons in an occupation field: members of the teaching profession?"


As such a highly intelligent science major, I'm surprised you didn't know that words can have more than one definition. Nowhere however, would garbage collectors fit in these definitions.



How does it feel to be pwned?

[Asher]

I realize it's in the definition, but it's kind of ridiculous to call a lifetime McDonalds employee a professional.

"Professional Historian" just sounds ridiculous.

As such a highly intelligent science major, I'm surprised you didn't know that words can have more than one definition. Nowhere however, would garbage collectors fit in these definitions.

Here you demonstrate the lack of reading comprehension skills I discussed in the other thread.

Where did I say words can only have one definition? I also never said that it is not actually incorrect to say it as you did, just that it dilutes the purpose of the word if we use it to describe everybody with an occupation.

I do not consider McDonalds to be professionals, as you would have us do.

I consider professionals to be somebody accredited by a professional body, such as a PEng, Doctor, Lawyer, etc.