Spin-Off: Mentally Unstable People with Advanced Degrees

Senusret I · #1 01-19-2009, 10:41 AM

It was stated in another thread that they don't give MBAs to crazy people.

I assert that the mentally unstable are perfectly capable of earning advanced degrees.

Any of you care to chime in with examples to support or refute my assertion?

RU OX Alum · #2 01-19-2009, 10:47 AM

Most of my profs. held advanced, if not terminal degrees. Most of them were a little "touched."

Benzgirl · #3 01-19-2009, 11:06 AM

Bruce E. Ivins, aka Prune Tacos in the GC World, the anthrax scientist, PhD in Mircobiology
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, PhD in Mathematics

Senusret I · #4 01-19-2009, 11:08 AM

Ahhh PruneTacos.

I am honestly surprised that more people didn't seem to be disturbed by his story.

Munchkin03 · #5 01-19-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

It was stated in another thread that they don't give MBAs to crazy people.

I assert that the mentally unstable are perfectly capable of earning advanced degrees.

Any of you care to chime in with examples to support or refute my assertion?

YES!

John Forbes Nash, Jr., PhD, pioneer in game theory, paranoid schizophrenic, subject of "A Beautiful Mind"

Eccentricity has always been tolerated, if not accepted, in academia. Think of the "mad scientist" or the "absent-minded professor." Extreme success in one part of your life seems to excuse other, less savory aspects of your life. There are plenty of crazy-ass people who have PhDs or other advanced degrees. The ivory tower, and especially once tenure is granted, is far more accepting of certain nonsense than the private sector.

Also, why do people ascribe such prestige to an MBA? The University of Phoenix, for crying out loud, grants an MBA. With an open admissions policy, don't think the crazies aren't going to come calling!

I had a good number of crazy professors in college, fewer in grad school (they were just idiots), and I dated a man who, after we broke up, I realized that he was actually insane. We met while he was getting his MBA.

Benzgirl · #6 01-19-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ahhh PruneTacos.

I am honestly surprised that more people didn't seem to be disturbed by his story.

*raises hand*

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=79946

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=80434

Senusret I · #7 01-19-2009, 11:16 AM

^^^ Yet and still, people just don't seem to be any more cautious, even though they know we had a killer among us.

Senusret I · #8 01-19-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

YES!

John Forbes Nash, Jr., PhD, pioneer in game theory, paranoid schizophrenic, subject of "A Beautiful Mind"

Eccentricity has always been tolerated, if not accepted, in academia. Think of the "mad scientist" or the "absent-minded professor." Extreme success in one part of your life seems to excuse other, less savory aspects of your life. There are plenty of crazy-ass people who have PhDs or other advanced degrees. The ivory tower, and especially once tenure is granted, is far more accepting of certain nonsense than the private sector.

Also, why do people ascribe such prestige to an MBA? The University of Phoenix, for crying out loud, grants an MBA. With an open admissions policy, don't think the crazies aren't going to come calling!

I had a good number of crazy professors in college, fewer in grad school (they were just idiots), and I dated a man who, after we broke up, I realized that he was actually insane. We met while he was getting his MBA.

Don't get me started on the "prestige" of the MBA.....

AOII Angel · #9 01-19-2009, 12:27 PM

Since most schizophrenic patients present during their mid to late twenties, it is very likely that someone could get an advanced degree before they even knew they were mentally ill. Also, no one can stop a mentally ill person from obtaining an advanced degree since that is discrimination. I had a schizophrenic girl in my med school class who dropped out second year during a psychotic break. They let her back in three or four years later. My class had graduated long before, so no one knew anything about her. She ended up doing a General Surgery residency. I've always wondered how she held up under that immense amount of stress!