OT for Janicholson

You mentioned you are a college professor.

Allow me to vent.

I have always believed that anyone with a PhD in a non-medical field should be called professor, not doctor.

In my opinion only medical practioners should be called doctor.

And likewise I dont believe a PHD should be called a doctorate degree. It would suit just as well calling it a professorate. I dont mean this in the slightest as a come down.If I had a PhD I would much prefer to be called professor than doctor.

I think calling only medical practioners doctor and all other PhD"s professor would carify and simplify the matter.

My long time opinion.

Dellbert,

I worked in the academic community for my 32 year career, and I agree with most of what you have said. But neither of us is powerful enough to change the English language and its historical usage. I did not work to achieve the PhD, but earned a Master's and many more credits. In my case it was a deliberate choice to not work for the PhD, as my young kids and family needed my attention, and I did not have the financial opportunity to take the necessary year or 2 away from making a living with medical benefits. My son also has his Master's, works in the Bio-engineering research dept of the U of Minn. He was offered a "free" ride through his PhD, but turned it down due to his family needs. Bottom line is: Earning a PhD is an accomplishment in life and is worthy of some special respect. Unfortunately our English language is not separating the Medical Doctors from the PhDs in other fields. I think the German language is more rigidly constructed to make this distinction.

Some "hoity-toity" PhDs demand the usage of the title Doc in almost every conversation, and they are often unliked by many other people because of this (and I have been a member of that "regular folks" group). But some of the neatest PhDs I know have no "uppitiness" and are just regular good and intelligent people to be around. I feel that by his many, many posts that Jim Nicholson is a member of the "regular guys" who is willing to share his experiences with many who ask for help. I am happy that he frequents this board and I have learned a lot from him. He has my complete respect! I think this board is a much better place because of his efforts to share.

So much for my "vent" in response to your "vent".

Have a good day!

Paul in MN

Paul:

I agree with you. Jim Nicholson is a star on this board, and I wish there were more people like him in this world. (And he's not paying me to say that.) ;-)

I think the only thing wrong with him is that he owns a 300 Utility like I do.

Mark W. in MI

With the deepest respect, it is not what one is called that makes a difference, it is the combination of what they know (both motor skill/applied hands on ability, and breadth of content knowledge)
My best effort effectiveness as a human is to provide my students with three components:
Hands on experiences in manufacturing, design engineering, and environmental responsibility.
Work ethic and a moral platform from which they can be comfortable, and appreciated.
Leadership qualities that build self confidence, strength toward acceptance by others, and a realistic world view.
In the 30 years I have been teaching, Most of the more than 10 thousand learners I have affected are in the category of successful. What kind of "doctor" is doing more for their World? Jim

Guess what.... I've got a 300 U also. Bought it about 1978. It is "family" by now, even with its leaking power steering gear box and low range torn out of the TA.

Good Day!

Paul in MN

Fun discussion, Likewise Ive always been confused about the PhD designation and Doctor names including Medical Doctors i.e. MD's and others with a PhD who are also called "Doctors"

Years after receiving my BS in Electrical Engineering I earned a JD (Juris Doctor) Degree, a Doctor of Jurisprudence, but NOBODY calls me Doctor (been called worse however just dont call me "late for dinner" ) nor would I like it lol

OT's can be entertaining on here

Ol John T and all

I have nothing to do with this conversation, but I found it intriguing. So I must also vent. I have my doctor of veterinary medicine and am months away from completing my doctor of philosophy. I also have completed a surgery residency (training above and beyond a regular DVM). I do not ask anyone to call me doctor.
By the way, no what they call someone with a DVM, Ph.D or MD, Ph.D, a Paradox. (a Pair of Docs)

I often go off on people who demand to be called doctor, regardless of medical training, Ph.D, or DVM. I once was told by a medical doctor to call him Doctor ***. He refused to call me Doctor, so I in turn recommended that we not just call each other anything. Yes, it is a degree (Ph.D, MD, DVM) that demands respect, but does not put me or anyone else above another person. I know when I go to the doctors office that they have training to be doing what they are doing, and when I go to a lecture that the professor has the training to do what they are doing. Why not just call them by their names and move on? Maybe we should call the mechanic at the shop Doctor because they have the training to be a car doctor!!

I have always questioned that "titleology" myself. I don"t sweat it though, I"m too far along in life to care about such mindless minutia(sp?). I do get a kick out of one particular "Delta-Alpha" on the weather channel who seems to insist on being called "Doctor". I think he"d need one if I had him for a minute or two. What a waste of a Doctorate.

Hmmmm.... Perhaps we should commence addressing you as "Judge John"?!!!

Upon further review (and with the distinct pleasure of have met you personally...) that just doesn't seem to fit. Let's just stick with good ol' John T!

...Bob M (BSME/MBA)

What is your definition of a doctor??

..welp, I got a Master's degree in Education but nobody calls me master!!!! Mike Soldan BA, M Ed.

Jim,
Im confident you are aware I only mentioned you to open the conversation and not to disparage.

I dont know how 300U"s got into it but I have owned two for 14 years and love em.

Best

oh it's just like the rest of the english language. alot of words have three or for different meanings. i pity a person from the other side of the world trying to learn our language.

PhD's start out as Assistant Professors, then Associate Professor, then Professor. I have a PhD in Soil Science. I never made full professor. I was not a teaching professor but did agronomic research. My daily title was not "Doctor", usually just my first name. I am now retired, that part of my life is over, and I could not care less what people call me. The degree allowed me to do independent research, and schedule my own day to day activities, instead of answering to someone else -- except for my annual evaluation.

I once heard a guy describing someone who had a PHD, who apparantly had a very high opinion of himself, as meaning that title meant "Piled High & Deep".
No offense now, good people, my neighbor is an MD and one of the nicest guys I"ve ever met and a darn good hunter and fisherman and I know him as Mike. We need all the nicest and smartest people in this world that we can get, especially if they are both.

No, MD in this case does not mean M Diesel.

Another one is post hole digger!

Mine's all torn apart right now, and has been for a while. I got it from my dad's estate after he died in 1993, and it sat around for several years. I'm giving it a thorough going-over from front to rear, replacing everything that needs it (and that's a lot!). It's more than a repair but less than a restoration, so I call it a "re-do."

Anyway, it's great therapy. I hope someday one of my kids will value the tractor as much as I do.

Mark W. in MI

I have one too.!!