Ah! ALTRAV,

I (ALTRAV) don't know how to link, the word imbecile comes to mind. I'll send my 5 year old grandson around to show you how to do it.

If you were to present me with a list of your top 10 TV programs, starting with Daffy Duck at number 1 and finishing with the Flintstones at position 10, that in itself is not proof that they are in fact the 10 best TV programs ever made. The uni thing is much the same.

You think of yourself as intelligent, yet cannot understand the difference between your subjective opinion and factual proof. As I said, I discount the standing of the British and the US top institutions for what I consider valid reasons. You make a statement like 5 or 6 uni's (Australia) out of 37 in the top 100, how does that compare to say Canada on a population basis, I would say quite favourably. A bland list does not account for variable factors. The US undoubly has the highest number of top quality institutions, but given the population size, age and wealth of the country that is to be expected. Don't forget the US also has hundred of very ify institutions as well.

Much of your opinion of the poor standing of Australian universities may have more to do with your belief they have a left wing bias, something you detest, and are therefore prejudge against them, rather than fact. Could that be true?

Paul, NO is pretty much the answer to all your propositions.
Where-as you would disagree that uni's are lefty loonys, I in fact believe that all teaching institutions in Aus are lefty lefty loonys, otherwise there would be discord in the chain of educational transmission between the institutions, and we couldn't have that now could we, because people might actually have to think for themselves.
As for my in-ability to 'link', I did not waste my time in front of a computer screen, as everyone does today.
I have a life, and spend little time on the computer so I find no reason in getting too familiar with it.
I admit my short comings and faults, are you man enough to do the same? or is that not part of the left's mantra.
If you feel that having uni's that rank where we rank is something to be proud of, that's your choice, but don't try to make excuses for them.
Those who have been empowered with the job of ranking uni's have been doing so for some time, and you know very well that they use tried and proven formula, so your arguments are at best moot.
The rankings are embarrassing and you know it, we don't have anything to be proud of in education and you know that too, in fact you can keep on trying to convince me, and everyone else, that this place is so wonderful, in every way, but you know deep inside that's not true.
Anyway, I can only hope I'm getting through, even if ever so slightly

ALTRAV,

What is your level of formal education?
Have you matriculated from high school?
Have you ever studied at a university and
did you complete your studies and get a degree?
Which university, and what degree?

Just trying to put things into perspective.

Thanks.

Foxy, NO, NO and NO.
My credentials are out in the big wide world, and I mean WORLD!
I did my time in academia and learnt enough to realise I had few peers so I went out into the big bad world and the rest is history.
If it's credentials or academic recognition you seek, I can only offer you the fact that many years ago I was given the opportunity to become a Member of the Design Institute of Australia, (not by my seeking any recognition) which I am still a member today.
Of course I see it as an honour, to be a part of this great institution.
My works/creations are my testament to my abilities, my being sought to join the institute was my passing of a far bigger test or exam than any teaching institution could ever aspire to.
As my name/work/reputation spread, locally, then nationally, then internationally, I began to realise I'd made it.
In doing so I have a wealth of history and knowledge about the world and people, and so it is that I choose to not entertain fools, I don;t have to.
I feel sorry for the ignorant and I am sympathetic towards them, they cannot help being of a lesser intellect.
But I will not tolerate arrogance.
The arrogant have not accepted their ignorance, and due to an over active and unjustified pride bubble, they will insist on promoting falsehoods and misinformation based solely on their personal views which are more often emotionally driven, based simply on personal opinions but lacking completely in common sense and reason.
If you are so presumptuous as to hold an academic above someone who has the runs on the board and has actually done things which have been requested by society and not just because they are doing it only for money and have a piece of worthless paper, then shame on you.
If so,you are not of the stuff I felt you were, and I usually am not too bad at assessing people, but, I hope I am wrong.

ALTRAV,

I appreciate your taking the time to answer my
questions. You have now put things into your true
perspective for me.

//I (ALTRAV) in fact believe that all teaching institutions in Aus are lefty lefty loonys,// You have proved what I have always suspected, that the June Dally Watkins School of Deportment is in fact, simply a front for the insidious teaching of the Communist ideology!

ALTRAV we are indeed privileged, and humbled, to have such an immense intellect as yours present on this little forum.

Foxy, does the name Foghorn Leghorn ring a bell?