Time Being,

There hasn't been a more effective way to find the information for aptitude that is required of a degree than tests in many career fields. Like many of the people who frequent HW, I study and work in an area that is not wieghted in knowledge but talent. True that it's most interesting that both knowledge of wordly things and inate talent are developed simultaineously, but tests are always biased toward someone's standards. Talent is usually a developement of the individual, and many times how well it is situated amongst its peers. Ah such as statistics.

To answer my question of why would youths of age 18-24 want to know where Afghanistan is and what goes on in that region...I think it's an incredible loss of innocence. There is presently an invasion by the US government in high schools toward the recruitment of youths beginning age 14. This is now legal, and I hate to see personal information legally public for the government. I recently suggested to my nephew that since he wants to fly so badly, that he check out the Civil Air Patrol. The next thing I know, he's a member at age 14 and asking me to give a talk to his squadron. ??? Sorry, I wasn't in the mood at the time. I'd have to say I'm proud of him- he knows his geogrpahy and history, and the importance of military- which is what their about (young retirement). If he stays with his degree in Military Study, he'll be a captain by age 18. SHHHHEEEEEZUZ!! Academically, he's gone from a less than average student to a near 4.0 student since he joined.

Memphi,

I've been thinking of your question all my life about why more Americans don't travel abroad, or even give a care about it. I was always baffled at people who are content to stay within a 40 mile radius and small town all their lives. America is a beautiful place and all---- people are great, life is great....these small town dwellers give real meaning to the term "it's a small world".