4 ms·

"The fact is most English majors don't enjoy heavy duty math or science as much" These statements need data to back them up, Mr. Science.

learc83 12y ago
You don't think it's a given that, on average, students who choose a degree that requires "heavy duty math" enjoy it more than students who choose a degree that doesn't require "heavy duty math"?
- FLUX-YOU 12y ago
  I would change your assertion to "choose a degree that requires heavy duty math and succeed/graduate". Sampling after the choice is initially made is clouded by kids choosing what is popular and/or being forced to go to college because of social pressures and/or choosing only what will hopefully make them the most cash.
- matwood 12y ago
  Given my science background, very little is a given until I see data. CS people get on their soapbox and talk about being superior in logical and rigorous thinking and then lead off with statements like it's a given.
- kennymeyers 12y ago
  I'm unsure of the motivations most people have in choosing majors. When I see generalizations of a very large group of people, no matter how obvious it may seem, I just like to see data to back it up.
- MisterBastahrd 12y ago
  I chose CS after my university cancelled its computer engineering program. I chose computer engineering because it was a challenge in a way that english and history weren't. Much of my childhood was spent with my nose in a book because it was a way to avoid dealing with the religious schism in my family. As a result, my ability to read and write for an academic setting (and on standardized tests) made getting high grades a trivial matter.
frogpelt 12y ago
Perhaps I shouldn't call it a fact without data but I assume English majors choose English over the other choices because they feel that they would enjoy English more than the other choices. Is that logical?
- kennymeyers 12y ago
  Absolutely, but that doesn't exclude them from enjoying and loving the other topics.

learc83 12y ago

You don't think it's a given that, on average, students who choose a degree that requires "heavy duty math" enjoy it more than students who choose a degree that doesn't require "heavy duty math"?

FLUX-YOU 12y ago
I would change your assertion to "choose a degree that requires heavy duty math and succeed/graduate". Sampling after the choice is initially made is clouded by kids choosing what is popular and/or being forced to go to college because of social pressures and/or choosing only what will hopefully make them the most cash.
matwood 12y ago
Given my science background, very little is a given until I see data. CS people get on their soapbox and talk about being superior in logical and rigorous thinking and then lead off with statements like it's a given.
kennymeyers 12y ago
I'm unsure of the motivations most people have in choosing majors. When I see generalizations of a very large group of people, no matter how obvious it may seem, I just like to see data to back it up.
MisterBastahrd 12y ago
I chose CS after my university cancelled its computer engineering program. I chose computer engineering because it was a challenge in a way that english and history weren't. Much of my childhood was spent with my nose in a book because it was a way to avoid dealing with the religious schism in my family. As a result, my ability to read and write for an academic setting (and on standardized tests) made getting high grades a trivial matter.

frogpelt 12y ago

Perhaps I shouldn't call it a fact without data but I assume English majors choose English over the other choices because they feel that they would enjoy English more than the other choices. Is that logical?

kennymeyers 12y ago
Absolutely, but that doesn't exclude them from enjoying and loving the other topics.