Personally, I love statistics. Some people hate them. I can understand why. Statistics are an analytical prehensile limb – but how coordinated is the mind that employs them? I would look at tools instead of grades… that’s right, I’d drop the usual infatuation with grades and curriculums and instead look at tool sales. Think about it, who actually uses physics every day? I’m an engineer and enjoy solving high level math and physics problems – but let me tell you a secret – the guy with the tools gets the job done. More often than not, it’s the guy working the machines who offers a new destiny. Afterward, the more politically apt engineers and managers inject the creative genius of their subordinates into the appropriate stream of consciousness. I think that the mechanics of change in society have similarities be they products, law or any other aspect of culture.
Case in point; the apartheid regime of South Africa had to go. That was a required change. Post revolutionary governmental incompetence is an entirely independent issue. The Truth and Reconciliation project was and remains a model for post revolutionary politics. What remains to be resolved in South Africa does not absolve the apartheid regime of its dysfunction.
>>Case in point; the apartheid regime of South Africa had to go. That was a required change. Post revolutionary governmental incompetence is an entirely independent issue. The Truth and Reconciliation project was and remains a model for post revolutionary politics. What remains to be resolved in South Africa does not absolve the apartheid regime of its dysfunction.<<
Nor should aparthied be used as a scapegoat or source of excuses for all that has gone wrong South Africa since 1995 .
In many ways, South Africa was better off under that old regime, than the current corruption, ineptitude and lawlessnes that marks every and now all Black Majority Ruled African nations .
The fall of aparthied gave that Mugabe in Zimbawe the license to turn his government into another Robber Barron potentate, so typical of all Sub-Saharan countries .
Black Majority Rule = Mob Rule .
Both there and what we've seen in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina .
The best engineers are those that can also turn the wrench. A wrench man will know a standard thread pitch, while a non-wrench engineer will read in one of his books what the best pitch should be for an application, even if a bolt has to be specially made to comply with his design.
Yes, I wasn’t suggesting that concrete is more valuable than abstract or even vice versa.
Personally and as a psychologist, I agree with you regarding 'tools' versus 'grades'. I don't think that they teach or put sufficient emphasis on practical or ‘softer’ skills in schools or universities – even in some Western countries. The MBA program, for example, is an exception.
"Tools" or to use a psych term "competencies" such as: influencing skills, leadership, creativity, innovation, initiative, tenacity, etc. are largely abstract and are essential for making things happen; not only in personal/social life but also professionally in many fields.
A balance between abstract and concrete is critical. Concrete gives one a model or a framework, whereas abstract enables one to successfully apply the concrete. I also believe that, unfortnately, concrete subjects (specifically cognitive abilities) are viewed and in most cases are easier taught. The ability to act in more abstract terms is more time consuming and needs to be continuously nurtured from a young age.
Btw - I like statistics too and statistics show that statistics are simply indications – a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is the analysis, interpretation and application of stats that matter the most.