Diploma Porn ...

I've noticed the occasional posting of diploma pics. I'm not sure why this is so fascinating. Maybe it's the feeling that once you get one of these suckers in your hands you'll actually be smarter. Trust me it's not true. You'll just realize how much more there is that you will never know. However, it definitely means that your loans will start coming due in six months.

Anyway ... I ran across this link. I'm sure all schools are not there, but they have have everything from Berkeley to Harvard and MIT to the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. Huh, who knew ... my imagination is causing me to drift off now ..........

Framing Success

- Lifelong Learner

 

I don't know why you'd object so strenuously to a tangible representation of a significant accomplishment.

 

Not an objection

I do not object, just an indirect way of saying the diploma is not the point.

- Lifelong Learner

 

For me, the diploma is a HUGE deal, and I will be posting pics of it everywhere when I get it. No, it's not the point. But you know what? It's a physical representation of the hard work I did and my achievement of graduating, so wether someone thinks the diploma is the point or not really doesn't matter. Its my proof. My reward. And I will show it off, as other graduates do, because I worked hard and EARNED the right to show it off. Feel free to not look at the pics of them if you dont like it.

 

..like coming in first at the Olympic games, an athlete who trained hard for years deserves recognition... a student is not so different whereby recognition after years of hard work is earned and deserved.

 

But it is a beautiful symbol of "the point," and a symbol is useless if it is not shown. Do you have one?

 

I have four degrees and enough certificates to paper the side of a barn. I think they're in a box somewhere.

-Lifelong Learner

 

It is all about symbolism. As humans, much of how we interpret the world is through symbols. The diploma is a physical, visible symbol of accomplishment. For those who have not yet graduated, the diploma is a symbol of completion of a goal. It is no different than breaking that red tape when you cross the finish line after winning a race.

I think it is shortsighted to view people's interest in "diploma porn" as being primarily about the paper. When people see the "diploma porn" they associate those images to the success of graduating. Look at how women react when they see wedding dresses. I am sure that many of us have seen women gush over how beautiful the wedding dresses are in some magazine or bridal shop. Do you think it is just because of the dress? Do you think that if you bought any of those women that wedding dress, without the wedding to go with it, they would be equally emotional? Of course not. I don't know many women that wear wedding dresses for anything other than their actual wedding or Halloween.

As far as showing the symbol, well that is up to the individual. Personally, other than my mom, I really don't care if anyone sees my degrees. It is funny, my mom has 3 degrees, including a PhD from a top school (ranked 12th overall nationally, and 9th in her specific disciple). Her degrees are in a drawer in her china cabinet, buried under some candles and spare batteries. I know for a fact that I have gone back to look at her degrees WAY more than she has. I am ridiculously proud of my mother and her accomplishments (if you couldn't already tell). She, on the other hand, just doesn't care about that paper very much.

HOWEVER, she absolutely does care about my bachelors degree. It is displayed prominently in her house for EVERYONE to see. She actually has it hanging in her dining room. That was a little excessive, even for me. When I get my masters, I am pretty sure that she will commandeer it and hang it along side my bachelors. That is cool with me. Most likely, I will lose interest in the actual paper 6 weeks after receiving it.

That is what happened after I got my bachelors degree. That paper was the greatest thing in the world... for about 5 days. Then, I hardly noticed it. I remember how happy I was when I got my high school diploma. Now, I don't even know where the hell it is (I am sure my mom does, though). To be perfectly honest, I don't even remember what it looks like, even though it was my most important possession for the first few days after receiving it over 15 years ago.

 

Thanks mcjon77 for making my point, albeit in a roundabout way.

"Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water."

-Lifelong Learner

 

You probably bought them all from a diploma mill. Just keep them in the box. The "chop wood, carry water" Zen bs is not applicable to receiving your diploma. Hence it will look like this, "Before receiving your diploma; study hard, write your thesis. After receiving your diploma; study hard, write your thesis." Work your butt off for one real diploma (not the fake ones that you have), only then will you understand what they symbolize."

 

umm

OpalMoon34: Word!!! :hail:

 

Things just got serious...lol

 

Whoa.... opcorn:

 

Symbols surround us wherever we go. A cross, an eagle, a mandala. If you stripped our world culture of symbolism we would be much poorer. Even the Buddhism that you cite has symbols.

Buddhism Symbols - Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism

My first tattoo is the auspicious knot and the second is the golden fish. To me they represent stages in a lifelong journey. If you prefer the quiet nothingness of Zen I'd suggest that you begin by ridding yourself of the noise known as the internet.

 

Yawn ..... zzzzzzzz

 

What do you mean by the "nothingness of Zen?"

 

For one with 4 degrees and enough certificates to cover the side of a barn I would think you could ascertain what he means by the nothingness of Zen... at:

 

The sound of one hand clapping.

Zen Koans - AshidaKim.com

#1 will suffice