Jax Uneducated? This should get some people talking. The Density of Smart People

[Lunican]

College degree density for the 50 largest cities.



http://www.creativeclass.com/creative_class/2010/05/29/the-density-of-smart-people/

[CS Foltz]

Thanks stephen! I have 3 two year degrees so I could stretch the truth and say that I am college educated I guess! I do agree with your view regarding "a good number of the smart people available"! Too bad the current administration does not have that viewpoint! Its all about taking care of yours and the like, which will be changing before much longer!

[Dog Walker]

Even our right wingers are fairly bright.

Stephen, you had better go back and put a smiley after that sentence or some of us are going to come after you with sticks.   

[Jim]

Keep in mind this is based on city square miles so Jacksonville is at an immediate disadvantage.  Not a very fair measure.


I'm also quite skeptical about the numbers overall.

SF - 46.7 sq miles @ 7,031 Bach and Grad degrees per sq mile = 328,347.
SF - 808,977.

I don't imagine it possible that 40% of the entire population of SF has a Bachelor or Graduate degree.

Conversely, it suggests that Jacksonville has over 128,000 such degree carrying residents.  We can only wish it be that high.

[JeffreyS]

Keep in mind this is based on city square miles so Jacksonville is at an immediate disadvantage.  Not a very fair measure.

Totally agree Jim. 

[Jason]

An intersting comment from the article....

brillega Says:
May 30th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
“degree holder” does not imply “smart person” although it may generally imply “hireable office/knowledge worker”

Also, using this chart is biased to begin with, because it’s not normalized to take into account the higher density of PEOPLE IN GENERAL, smart or otherwise in NY and SF.

Without comparing this chart to the chart for density of all humans, it could be giving the exact same information as a chart showing “Density of Circus Clowns Per Square Mile” or “Density of Kanye West Fans”

Thought experiment: what would this look like next to a chart showing “Density of Homosexuals per square mile”? I bet THAT chart would actually give some useful info.

[coredumped]

Yep, not really fair since it's done by square mile. Here's a 2006 study for cities:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/29/real_estate/brainiest_cities/index.htm#list
Jax is not on the list.
According to this:
http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_pos_deg_awa_bac_percap-degrees-awarded-bachelors-per-capita
Florida is 47th

[Captain Zissou]

This chart has its flaws, but there's no denying that Jax has a lack of smart people, especially in leadership positions.  I would love to see this turn around.  It seems like until we put smart and progressive people in power, we will be fighting a losing battle against superior cities for attracting jobs and growth to our fair town. 

[NotNow]

I see on the state chart that California is #43.  

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

I don't think that a college degree = smart anyway.  And I ran into some real dumbass people in SF.  Of course, I see those most places.

[midnightblackrx]

I don't think that a college degree = smart anyway.  And I ran into some real dumbass people in SF.  Of course, I see those most places.

I was thinking the same thing. I've met plenty of college educated people that would not even be able to name the Vice President.  When everybody has a bachelors degree, doesn't that lessen the accomplishment?   

[Captain Zissou]

When everybody has a bachelors degree, doesn't that lessen the accomplishment?   Huh

I agree with that statement.  I suppose now it is more relevant to say a bachelor's degree from _________.  The biggest lesson I drew from the chart is that Jax has work to do.  We need to grow our citizens and attract smart people from other regions.  We also need more progressive leadership.

[finehoe]

When everybody has a bachelors degree, doesn't that lessen the accomplishment?   

But what does it say about those that don't have one when "everybody" else does?

[Coolyfett]

So Jax is the second stupidest city in the US?? Thats terrible news. As I was going down the list I kept saying where is Jax? where is Jax? 2nd to last? I would think this topic would have more activity than some of the other topics on here.

[Coolyfett]

wow.

This is pretty much how Ive experienced a good many of these cities.

I kind of personally gauge a city based on how many topics of conversation I can have intelligent conversation on while there.

We have such an excellent primary and secondary level educational community in this town.  We turn out so many bright people, and then we literally turn them out because they have no real opportunity here.

And its stupid.  Swear to God, with different leadership we could have an athens.  Instead, it often seems like a bunch of unimaginative, stiffnecked, fiefdom masters who just refuse to get out of the way.

My guess is that this website attracts a good number of the smart people available.  Even our right wingers are fairly bright.

Most internet forums do Stephen....youll be surprised how many people were introduced to the internet by myspace, youtube & facebook. Not saying they are all dumb, but you wont catch many dumb americans in internet forums. Its too boring for them.

[north miami]

San Francisco is a very educated city.  That number would not surprise me in the least.

I lived there for a year, and had to look pretty hard to find stupid people.

But then again, California's higher education is very freaking affordable to residents.

I dont think I knew anyone over that age of 26 that wasnt degreed.

In my experience the smarts extends well up the coast.The California Coastal Commission and other elements of conservation legacy is a reflection of education and a long established "certain something".
That's a reason I ask "what would San Francisco do?" on Downtown matters,ShipYards.