Poll reports drinking in U.S. at record low

[Dave Hess]

2 year degree for $75k and a free car? (ok not "free" but beats using up personal vehicle). I was a bit sad few years ago when I looked at my salary for a 4yr degree and how I was not really making that much more after 20 years. Looks like 80-90k is what EE's now make, starting out (link but I recall seeing similar info elsewhere).

And I certainly don't get overtime... that was quite the job to turn down. I don't get it, when I was young I was quite "hungry" for a paycheck.

Can't imagine, but I guess I grew up in a rural area and think nothing of an hour drive to get someplace.

In this economy you take what you can get.

Available jobs were 500 to 1000 miles away.

 

[Pew]

In this economy you take what you can get.

Available jobs were 500 to 1000 miles away.

Depends. If somebody moves for a job and then gets laid off shortly after and can't find another one, they could be a bit too far from efficient help from family, friends, and familiarity and can't really move 'back home' because it's additional money.

 

[Carmudgeon]

A few weeks ago, I had a student seriously asking me why he needed to know how to write (his reasoning was AI, etc.)!!! A graduate student, employee of one of our security agencies (national level). I was giving 2-3 minutes of some goulash of an answer because I was so shocked by the question. Then I had to answer like I was talking to my 6yrs old (and she never asked me that question).

I must say that that night was one of the most depressing nights of my professional career. I just could not get that question out of my head.

I had a similar experience in a workplace, with someone who questioned the need to conduct written correspondence with clients using a professional tone, as professional consultants holding fiduciary duties. And this person wasn't even that young, but from Gen Y.

As I said earlier, I wouldn't be surprised if the human species spirals and ceases to exist at some point.

People are being trained to expect magical boxes to give them all the answers, relieve them of the need to think, and principles and critical thought have become bad words to some. At some inflection point, the ability to reverse the damaging trends will be lost, and Idiocracy won't just be a fictional film.

 

[Marrk]

I just had my post deleted. I read the explanation, and it's fair. But I wish they had let me edit out the objectionable part.

Ah, well. We're on an oil forum. Anyone care to talk about oil?

 

[THORROMIG]

November 19, 2025 will be two years sober for me. Alcohol had its hooks in me good for multiple decades. Saving aheck of a lot of money also. Seeing more rewards daily. Nothing wrong with drinking if kept in moderation. I am not against anyone who does drink.