Educational Systems

Craig Vinter

BELGRADE, SERBIA Since I had no traveling companions during the six hour train ride from Zagreb to Belgrade, I'll report on some previous experiences: from Ljubljana to Rijeka I rode with two students (Engineering and Law) from Spain; from Graz to Maribor with two Czech students (music and medical). Different countries, but the same college experience. Out of high school (gymnasium), they had to choose a course of study; once chosen they could not deviate from that course without starting over. They studied only courses pertinent to their chosen fields. The law student said, "I've only taken law courses - no history, no science, nothing but law." The medical student said, "I don't like medicine, but I can't aford to start over." In contrast, Rachel's University won't allow her to declare a major in her freshman year. The California JC system is giving Josh time to explore his interests before choosing a university. Some noteworthy people have chosen this course: John Madden and Bill Walsh attended the College of San Mateo. Craig Vinter, creator of artificial life, also began his studies at CSM. In his autobiography, Vinter says, it was an English teacher at CSM that had the most influence on him. It's interesting to speculate if these notables would have achieved the success they had, had they found themselves in the European school system. The European system strikes me as unimaginatively sterile; efficient, however, in cranking out PhD's of every ilk. You see "Dr" titles everywhere. It's comical to see politcal campaign billboard's with "Dr" before the candidate's name as if that certifies the candidate's qualification.