Comments on: An Emotional Low Point http://uncultured.com/2008/07/11/an-emotional-low-point/ Haphazardly Trying to Make the World a Better Place. Inspired by my time as a student at the University of Notre Dame. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:17 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bridging The Gaap » Blog Archive » BTG Blogwatch - Uncultured.com http://uncultured.com/2008/07/11/an-emotional-low-point/comment-page-1/#comment-996 Bridging The Gaap » Blog Archive » BTG Blogwatch - Uncultured.com Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:13:16 +0000 http://uncultured.com/?p=341#comment-996 [...] This is a response to this post over at uncultured.com [...] [...] This is a response to this post over at uncultured.com [...]

]]> By: What Was My Emotional High Point? | The Uncultured Project http://uncultured.com/2008/07/11/an-emotional-low-point/comment-page-1/#comment-992 What Was My Emotional High Point? | The Uncultured Project Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:40:26 +0000 http://uncultured.com/?p=341#comment-992 [...] About « An Emotional Low Point [...] [...] About « An Emotional Low Point [...]

]]> By: BTGNow.net http://uncultured.com/2008/07/11/an-emotional-low-point/comment-page-1/#comment-991 BTGNow.net Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:57:39 +0000 http://uncultured.com/?p=341#comment-991 Wow, I have to learn how to spell "things". Wow, I have to learn how to spell “things”.

]]> By: BTGNow.net http://uncultured.com/2008/07/11/an-emotional-low-point/comment-page-1/#comment-990 BTGNow.net Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:56:28 +0000 http://uncultured.com/?p=341#comment-990 Ah, Shawn, if I had a million dollars, I'd be the Medici to your Brunelleschi. But I don't so all I can offer right now are words that may seem hollow but I hope will ring true: "Do I officially have a title other than “unemployed”? Nope. Is this project earning me a degree? Nope. Is this project earning me an income? Nope." Yes, these thinsg are important, both Stateside and abroad. But I consider none of these thinsg measures of success: maybe it's just my industry impacting my world view, but I know plenty of idiots with degrees, and plenty of people earning fine incomes for doing sweet FA (hedge funds? seriously, why do these even exist?). So no, you're not "earning" anything on paper at the moment. Except you kind of are. Experience is that which differentiates two equal candidates. Sure, other people are studying poverty, but there's a difference between studying and doing. So while you may be sacrificing prestige and income at the moment, your experiences now may pay dividends later. What about writing a book about your experiences (family and all, it's really EXTREMELY compelling). Why not teach when you are ready to return to academia (you'd get income and an entire summer off!). Take a look at your inspiration, Dr. Sachs, things are working out ok for him. Maybe you should talk to him. Surely he is aware of how he inspired the project? Of course, I'm one who believes we should never meet our idols, but it appears you've already met him! Wow this came out super long. There's another bllog post about your post at the BTGBLOG http://www.btgblog.net/2008/07/btg-blogwatch-unculturedcom.html www.btgnow.net Oh and PS. Always remember that degrees and prestige and money won't make you a human being. You seem to have family memebers who remind you of that ever day. Ah, Shawn, if I had a million dollars, I’d be the Medici to your Brunelleschi.

But I don’t so all I can offer right now are words that may seem hollow but I hope will ring true:

“Do I officially have a title other than “unemployed”? Nope. Is this project earning me a degree? Nope. Is this project earning me an income? Nope.”

Yes, these thinsg are important, both Stateside and abroad. But I consider none of these thinsg measures of success: maybe it’s just my industry impacting my world view, but I know plenty of idiots with degrees, and plenty of people earning fine incomes for doing sweet FA (hedge funds? seriously, why do these even exist?).

So no, you’re not “earning” anything on paper at the moment. Except you kind of are. Experience is that which differentiates two equal candidates. Sure, other people are studying poverty, but there’s a difference between studying and doing.

So while you may be sacrificing prestige and income at the moment, your experiences now may pay dividends later. What about writing a book about your experiences (family and all, it’s really EXTREMELY compelling). Why not teach when you are ready to return to academia (you’d get income and an entire summer off!). Take a look at your inspiration, Dr. Sachs, things are working out ok for him.

Maybe you should talk to him. Surely he is aware of how he inspired the project? Of course, I’m one who believes we should never meet our idols, but it appears you’ve already met him!

Wow this came out super long. There’s another bllog post about your post at the BTGBLOG http://www.btgblog.net/2008/07/btg-blogwatch-unculturedcom.html

http://www.btgnow.net

Oh and PS. Always remember that degrees and prestige and money won’t make you a human being. You seem to have family memebers who remind you of that ever day.

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