But being "famous" doesn't equate success. What skills do most of those twits from "The Hills" have? Sure, they made $75k an episode, but after that is dried up (Heidi spent $2m on her album that failed, then on all that plastic surgery), then what? Their notoriety (and getting pad $5-10k to show up at a party) isn't going to last. Sure, one or two of the girls have clothing lines, but lasting success? We'll see. Easy come, easy go, right?

And unfortunately, many a successful skilled actor/musician, or famous "celebrity", have suffered tremendous financial difficulties. Many aspire to the financial success and fame of actual hard-working performers, but even the most successful have hardships: Wesley Snipes is in jail for tax evasion, Nicolas Cage is on the hook for millions (and is bankrupt), Billy Joel (and many other musicians) were screwed out of decades' worth of huge paychecks due to being unaware of what their "people" did with their money. (Not saying that higher-educated people don't have money problems; education can make you more aware of both good opportunities as well as potential risks.)

I know that college isn't for everyone, but the level of fame and fortune that many people aspire too is a. elusive, and b. hard to keep going. An education can open doors that people might not otherwise see. For example, savvy former sports players who are blessed with the skill (thanks to education) to speak and think critically have gone on to become sportscasters. People in the film business can turn to directing/producing, writing scripts or books - all which require many advanced thinking and organizational skills, etc. Many business-minded people become entrepreneurs. Not to say that natural talent isn't involved, but higher education can make you more aware of choices and access to resources.

Lastly, the argument that people became successful without or in spite of degrees (as in, they don't end up working in that field) is one I have a hard time swallowing. College isn't just about facts; though academic and worldly pursuits, the very processes it takes to finish an advanced degree, one learns to think critically, analyze options, practice multi-tasking, brainstorm, access and consider differing theories, challenge themselves academically/socially/mentally, and not only survive, but thrive in difficult circumstances.

Whether you're what people consider a high-level professional where you directly use what you've gone to school for (doctor, lawyer), a teacher, a business person, store owner, computer programmer, or even a stay-at-home mom, everyone has to make decisions. The tools you learn in college give you so many more options. Knowing how to be resourceful, having a general understanding of many different subjects and processes (biology, economics, psychology, sociology, politics, math - theories and the abstract, writing, etc.) - it affords freedom and opportunity.

The biggest issue in my mind is the rising cost of education. I don't have an answer for it, and my husband is still paying off those loans, but I don't think that education is ever wasted. Never, ever.

correction...Wesley and Nicolas brough that upon themselves.

I totally agree with you and that's why I made the point earlier that as along as her money was being managed well she's probably making a reasonable choice. Just as making it to the professional level of sports is unlikely and unreasonable as a life goal, aiming for that level of success in show business is unlikely and unreasonable. Since someone like Miley Cyrus has that level of success (not that she's good, just that she's making bank) and that success is at least in part based on her youth and looks, capitalizing on that now is not a bad thing. Hopefully she does attend school one way or another so that she can manage her money and her career wisely as she grows up.

I wrote:
And unfortunately, many a successful skilled actor/musician, or famous "celebrity", have suffered tremendous financial difficulties. Many aspire to the financial success and fame of actual hard-working performers, but even the most successful have hardships: Wesley Snipes is in jail for tax evasion, Nicolas Cage is on the hook for millions (and is bankrupt), Billy Joel (and many other musicians) were screwed out of decades' worth of huge paychecks due to being unaware of what their "people" did with their money. (Not saying that higher-educated people don't have money problems; education can make you more aware of both good opportunities as well as potential risks.)


I know they did. I put a comma after mentioning each one's mistakes, then said that musicians such as Billy Joel had problems due to being unaware of what was going on.

I apologize if it read differently.

I caught it, that's why I didn't bring up Joel...I just don't like 'giving credit' to those who bring money problems on themselves.

Another good example: M.C. Hammer....LOL

I have to say that there have been some successful stars who went to college, while still staying in the public eye. The young woman from Wonder Years who is an Alpha Delta Pi, Danika McKellar (sp?) and Jerry O'Connell who is now back in school to get a law degree. Claire Danes went to school, as well as, Natalie Portman. I think it is incredible to be so successful and still choose to go to college. It is too bad that we push college on kids, not for the educational aspect of learning but, more for the money aspect. The message should be that you should go to college to LEARN and not necessarily make money.

Yep, Danica McKellar was on NCIS last night.

That's the message to take home, kiddies. :)

Oh...Thank you! I knew I was spelling it wrong! See, she even has a Ph.D. in Science, as far as I know. Once again, please don't quote me on this one because I'm not 100% sure. Maybe one of the ladies from ADPi can answer that one.

On the flipside of that, I think it's WORSE that some kids get convinced that athletics or entertainment is their only out and they should 'use their talent' to make as much money as they can. While I don't exactly knock it, I think when kids are told that it's their way out (as well as the fast way) someone along the line forgets to let these kids know to be prepared for disappointment along the way and that their talent is still only a dime a dozen.

And doesn't Emma Watson go to Brown?

I think she's a Mathematician.

Amen, ree-Xi. :)

ETA: I hear ya, DaemonSeid. Sports and music aren't the only ways to make money, neither are they immediate ways to make money. What parents need to teach kids is that there are no quick fixes or easy money. What's important is to make the investment in your future, which includes some type of secondary education (not necessarily a traditional college or university) and building a skillset. People can take your job and even your career but they can't take what you have learned.

Or wiki. Math degree, summa cum laude. She's written the books about how Math Doesn't Suck.

This.

Exaclty..think about all the one hit wonders out there in entertainment and sports....Maurice Clarrett anyone?

I think so, but I don't think she does much acting outside of Harry Potter right now. A few outside roles but she's one of the incredibly lucky plucked from obscurity and now set for life actors.

And she just started in Fall 2009 since she took a gap year. She chose school over being a full-time actress per her quotes. Makes sense, she probably wants to be 'normal.'

Hell I'd take being worth 10 million pounds and having 2 more movies on the way, guaranteed and then retire myself. But I'm lazy.

*ed lover voice* cmon son.

DS: the GCer who cried race war.

LMAO can someone make a .gif out of this?

The time spent "making it" without going to college, you couldve... went to college. Remember that phrase "stay in school, don't be a fool?"

yeah, still applies.

I do think she takes modeling gigs once in a while.

ehh, close enough...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/...c9abeb14_o.jpg

You read my mind! I just watched "The Blind Side" and thought that throughout the movie. It made me smile when Michael went to Ole Miss and made the Dean's List, with the help of a tutor. Not only did he have athletics, he also had education (with help from tutors and teachers who cared). On a side note: That movie made me smile.

I refuse to see that movie. I'm sure it's excellent.

Loyke, Omigah! YAY! <3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Can you tell I'm bored at work again? lol

Really? I'll be honest, I was pretty reluctant, as well. I was afraid it would be another Ernie Davis (The Express) movie but, it turned out much better than I expected. My boyfriend brought the movie home, so I figured I'd check it out. It made me smile because, while I want to have children of my own, as a former caseworker, I also really want to adopt. I would have no problem (and this may be simply because I grew up in the North) adopting a child of a different race. I am really happy about the ending (spoiler alert) that Michael didn't just make it because of his athletic ability but, because he was willing to put in the academic work.

Okay.

The good thing is that Michael has a kickass college degree. Alright!!

I'm not as concerned that he has a college degree as I am that he worked all the way through college and graduated without quitting. I know a lot of NFL and NBA players quit college and they only use college as a stepping stone to the big times. The fact that he finished is great. He went from not having a very high IQ to making it through college. It proves that if you are willing, you can learn anything! That is why kids should want to go to college. The sad thing is, that doesn't happen.

As far as the adoption part, I was serious about that. I didn't mean to imply that people from the South would be opposed to it, I was just saying that it doesn't seem as taboo in the North as it may in the South (from what I saw from the movie-not my own personal experience...I am not trying to offend anyone).

True. It's just that your level of involvement with your career changes a lot if you're going to be a college student at the same time. Miley Cyrus couldn't tour/record/act at the level she is while attending school, she's working a full time job. Emma Watson has chosen to pursue school first and it seems like she'll be able to fit it in with her much more limited acting and modeling work. I have no idea what her personal goals are either, whether she'd like to keep acting or not post-HP.

Anyway, for those lucky enough to already be rich and famous they have a bit more freedom in some ways and and less in others but privilege out the wazoo.

Yeah he has a kickass college degree! Alright!

The taboo-o-meter aside, race and all that comes with it isn't a Southern construct. ;)

Are you going based on the movie? LOL. It's a good thing that movies aren't teaching tools. And, no, you aren't offending me and I really wish you would quit with the disclaimers.

Trans-racial adoption is a hot-button issue all over the country, not just in the South.

It may not be in your community, though.

See the recent Sandra Bullock adoption criticisms.

You know that thing about adding too much information to your posts? You're doing it again.

Should we use a codeword?

Pineapple. PINEAPPLE.

*done*

PINEAPPLE!! LOL.

Another opponent of higher education. Cuz womenfolk don't need no edumacation.

http://www.unlessthelordmagazine.com...r_is_grown.htm

Jesus be a fence.

I 2nd that...as a matter of fact, if Hollywood wants to make a good story...Make one out of Myron Rolle.

Fix your siggy DS *glares*

HMPH!

and no I am NOT adding the doink doink...

I mean my name! *glares*

yikes............................



gonna go find my glasses.

Thank you. Now I don't need to go get KSUViolet to threaten to cut you.

GC....where the sockpuppets are crazy and the women are violent enough to cut you.