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no disrespect to doctors but you really don't have to be that smart to become one. It's more about being willing to take out 300k in loans and stay in school un

no disrespect to doctors but you really don't have to be that smart to become one. It's more about being willing to take out 300k in loans and stay in school until you are 30+ years old.

siculars 10y ago
Mate, you couldn't be more wrong. Doctors, on the whole, are just about the smartest folks out there. Are there bad, less intelligent doctors? Sure. If you think it's as simple as "taking out 300k and staying in school until you are 30+" you're delusional and frankly don't know what you're talking about. Math, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology and on and on. These are just some of the areas doctors need to be well versed in.
- sndean 10y ago
  > These are just some of the areas doctors need to be well versed in. I agree that, on average, doctors are smart. But my newly-minted MD fiancee would be the first to tell you that they're not the "just about the smartest" and that she can basic algebra, no more. And, for example, they only have to pass introductory physics. My undergraduate university had a special lower-level physics course specifically made for pre-med students.
- orbifold 10y ago
  While I don't think doctors are not smart, the amount of physics, math and statistics they actually learn is laughable and does not really go beyond what they already learned in a good high school. Just like in any profession over time they develop deep expertise in very specific problem areas, but that is not much different than in any other profession.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- MegaButts 10y ago
  I almost married a neurologist, who was woefully incapable of helping me deal with my migraines. In my anecdotal experience, doctors really aren't that smart. They are taught rote memorization instead of critical thinking, and according to my ex, 90% of their job is using something similar to WebMD. And many of the people I grew up with that weren't particularly bright ended up going to med school and becoming doctors. And my ex was definitely terrible at math and physics, although she was competent with biology. There is a notable exception for surgeons though, every one of whom I've met is a badass. Again, this is based on anecdotal experience and I'm sure there are exceptions (or maybe I've just had poor sampling, but the sample size is dozens of people). But I do know that most doctors are not taught how to think, but much more how to follow processes that are incredibly similar to basic computer scripts (if X then Y).
- sn9 10y ago
  Honestly I'd disagree with you (though I agree that the loan and schooling comment was definitely simplified). Not that they're dumb, but medical schools select more for hard workers who know how to memorize large quantities of information than anyone who's particularly bright among college graduates. Most medical students and doctors have a fairly poor understanding of math and statistics, a level of understanding of chemistry that's not particularly difficult, and a level of understanding of physics that doesn't go beyond a freshman level. Have you actually looked at MCAT study materials? Anyone who's majored in biology would know the material. What determines how well you do is the quality of your study habits. That said, hard work is usually what wins in the end in most fields, even those that do tend to attract the brightest.
AdieuToLogic 10y ago
no disrespect to doctors but you really don't have to be that smart to become one. Keep that statement in mind the next time someone trivializes the time and effort you have invested into your profession. If you have neither a profession nor invested any significant effort into one, then please accept my apology for assuming such.
- lovich 10y ago
  Assuming he's a software engineer given that this is hacker news, you really don't have to be that smart to get _a job_. Being the best or even good at it requires intelligence, but its not difficult to get a job you cant due when you have hiring managers who don't understand the work or if you can get certification just by spending a lot of time and money. For the software engineer example again, if just being able to do the job proved your intelligence, then no one would ever have to go through the marathon interviews to prove that they are competent
lumberingjack 10y ago
I'm inclined to agree. I struck up a conversation with a epidemiologist at a party once. He worked for GE designing water filters. I commented on how I just had to find a backpacking filter that could eliminate Viruses .018 micron + in size. Most wilderness medicine professionals now recommend treating water for viruses as well as bacteria and protozoa. Viruses must be eliminated through a purification system or boiling because they are small enough to pass through a filter. He was clueless and had nothing meaningful to add to the conversation and actually told me "that was new info to him."

no disrespect to doctors but you really don't have to be that smart to become one. It's more about being willing to take out 300k in loans and stay in school until you are 30+ years old.

siculars 10y ago

Mate, you couldn't be more wrong. Doctors, on the whole, are just about the smartest folks out there. Are there bad, less intelligent doctors? Sure. If you think it's as simple as "taking out 300k and staying in school until you are 30+" you're delusional and frankly don't know what you're talking about. Math, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology and on and on. These are just some of the areas doctors need to be well versed in.

sndean 10y ago
> These are just some of the areas doctors need to be well versed in. I agree that, on average, doctors are smart. But my newly-minted MD fiancee would be the first to tell you that they're not the "just about the smartest" and that she can basic algebra, no more. And, for example, they only have to pass introductory physics. My undergraduate university had a special lower-level physics course specifically made for pre-med students.
orbifold 10y ago
While I don't think doctors are not smart, the amount of physics, math and statistics they actually learn is laughable and does not really go beyond what they already learned in a good high school. Just like in any profession over time they develop deep expertise in very specific problem areas, but that is not much different than in any other profession.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
MegaButts 10y ago
I almost married a neurologist, who was woefully incapable of helping me deal with my migraines. In my anecdotal experience, doctors really aren't that smart. They are taught rote memorization instead of critical thinking, and according to my ex, 90% of their job is using something similar to WebMD. And many of the people I grew up with that weren't particularly bright ended up going to med school and becoming doctors. And my ex was definitely terrible at math and physics, although she was competent with biology. There is a notable exception for surgeons though, every one of whom I've met is a badass. Again, this is based on anecdotal experience and I'm sure there are exceptions (or maybe I've just had poor sampling, but the sample size is dozens of people). But I do know that most doctors are not taught how to think, but much more how to follow processes that are incredibly similar to basic computer scripts (if X then Y).
sn9 10y ago
Honestly I'd disagree with you (though I agree that the loan and schooling comment was definitely simplified). Not that they're dumb, but medical schools select more for hard workers who know how to memorize large quantities of information than anyone who's particularly bright among college graduates. Most medical students and doctors have a fairly poor understanding of math and statistics, a level of understanding of chemistry that's not particularly difficult, and a level of understanding of physics that doesn't go beyond a freshman level. Have you actually looked at MCAT study materials? Anyone who's majored in biology would know the material. What determines how well you do is the quality of your study habits. That said, hard work is usually what wins in the end in most fields, even those that do tend to attract the brightest.

AdieuToLogic 10y ago

no disrespect to doctors but you really don't have to be that smart to become one. Keep that statement in mind the next time someone trivializes the time and effort you have invested into your profession. If you have neither a profession nor invested any significant effort into one, then please accept my apology for assuming such.

lovich 10y ago
Assuming he's a software engineer given that this is hacker news, you really don't have to be that smart to get _a job_. Being the best or even good at it requires intelligence, but its not difficult to get a job you cant due when you have hiring managers who don't understand the work or if you can get certification just by spending a lot of time and money. For the software engineer example again, if just being able to do the job proved your intelligence, then no one would ever have to go through the marathon interviews to prove that they are competent

lumberingjack 10y ago

I'm inclined to agree. I struck up a conversation with a epidemiologist at a party once. He worked for GE designing water filters. I commented on how I just had to find a backpacking filter that could eliminate Viruses .018 micron + in size. Most wilderness medicine professionals now recommend treating water for viruses as well as bacteria and protozoa. Viruses must be eliminated through a purification system or boiling because they are small enough to pass through a filter. He was clueless and had nothing meaningful to add to the conversation and actually told me "that was new info to him."