----- Original Message -----
From: "J. van Baardwijk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Brin-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: Landmines RE: US Foreign Policy Re: *DO* we share a
civilization?
> >Rossiter has no military experience, nor is any of his academic
> >experience in security studies - which leads one to wonder how he is
> >capable of analying the tactics and strategy of the United States
military
> >in South Korea, for example, or at least to question the validity of such
> >analyses when they are contradicted by the declared beliefs of the
> >Pentagon.
>
> You know, people (including mr. Rossiter) are quite capable of acquiring
> knowledge *without* getting a degree in the subject. For example, I know
my
> way around computers and computer networks (that's what my boss pays me
> for!), but I don't have a Masters Degree in Computer Science. Does my not
> having a CS degree make me incapable of, say, analyzing and solving
network
> problems?
>
Gautam cited two ways of acquiring an understanding: formal study or
actively performing the task, and you said that someone can acquire
knowledge without going to school. Can someone acquire knowledge without
formal study or without actually doing the job?
Well, possibly. However, that peson's knowledge is untested. So, it is
less likely that the person understands the requirements than someone who
has either studied or worked in the area.
Lets draw a parallel with your job. What if someone proclaimed that you
didn't need some of the equipment you claimed you needed. He/she never
worked with computers, and never studied them. Yet, since someone put up a
website with their claims, they are being cited as part of the debunking of
your claims.
Would you think that is reasonable?
Dan M.
