Dropping out is all the rage … in Hollywood

fairly well, apparently I cannot think for myself: are you suggesting that Whoopi, because she is 'less-educated', 'cannot write'? Huh? And 'some' of her stand-up 'is just so smart'? Some? Really? Smart? Really?

See, this is why I was banned from class multiple times, I always asked the obvious questions, begging for more precision. Perhaps I am dumb despite my uni-degree.

Thanks, mom and dad, for letting me finish school, this way I can look down on others.

Let me clarify...I don't mean to imply that only educated people are intelligent, or that education is a prerequisite for being smart. Education doesn't inherently make people smart and the lack of it doesn't mean that they're not smart. And although I value education, I do not believe it's a measure of a person's worth.

But I don't think it's unreasonable to be surprised that a good writer lacks formal education. I'm sure that there are naturally good writers, but writing is a skill that improves with training and practice. And many people--albeit not all--get that training and practice through formal education.

i was in honor classes throughout school and graduated with honor chords. i almost didnt graduate though because i was tired of the atmosphere and tired of showing up every day. ive always enjoyed working with my hands more then reading a book. i chose to go into construction out of high school instead of college, and at 19 i was making over 50,000 a year with my union company.i may not have a degree but i'm certainly not dumb. college isn't everything

When an individual is movitavted a lot can happen. I guess I was suprised at first with the extensive list, but after a few moments to think about it, it really doesn't shock me. I know some people who have post graduate degree's but are only knowledgable in their field and then I know others who didn't finish high school and are brilliant due to the self motivation to learn. Some of the smartest people are self tot; a degree only means you had money to jump through hoops and the desire to do so. Plus, in the entertainment and business world, education doesn't get you places as fast as charisma does. Or the right conections and grinding the wheel to get where you want.

It would seem a little more research was necessary... I'm not sure how Anne Murray rates as Hollywood. She lives in Canada and I believe, always has. Perhaps she's made some hit movies I've never heard of. If you were just inserting here because she's a quasi-lesbian icon, that's cool, but get your facts straight. From where do you know she's a high school drop out??? Go to her official website and you can see a picture of her from 1966 in her cap and gown during her graduation from the University of New Brunswick. She dropped out of another university before going to UNB.

As soon as I read this blog a few hours ago I knew it was going to be a hot and contentious issue, I was just waiting for it to be unleashed.

Ace, I understand what your point was, but I can also see from where the 'criticism' is emanating. This is a touchy subject, but I appreciate you, Ace, for bringing it up as a talking point.

I understand your point and yes what you said about whoopi can be misconstrued....the thing is being an actress isn't that much work...humans have emotion and if you know how to control them to convey for whatever reason...you can be an actress...same go's for singers...but lets face it...just because someone went to collage does not make them smart...lets take for example the u.s. president bush ...he graduated from harvard and Yale...yet he seems to be one of the most dumbest individuals on the face of the planet right now...also how about we rethink that rocket science reference because as of the last decade..or 5...they haven't been to bright either...they can't make space ships that can take off without losing pieces...not to mention blow up either at take off or landing...also...how about one of the mars missions where they programed the landing wrong...instead of putting in feet...these rocket scientists put in meters...hmm...that's not at all a BIG mistake on there part....they just wasted about 40 million building the damn thing...so yes getting an education these days can hopefully...mean a better future for you and your family...but its also a case of ...its not what you know its who you know as well...most of the people working in the white house are friends of bush and look how great that has turned out...as for smart people who haven't graduated high school...well lets see...for the most part in the u.s.a. education wasn't a top priority till the 1900's...and even then its took about 60 years before it actually became an issue of yes we need to be smarter through accolades....so it does not surprise me one bit that someone who didn't graduate from high school can not only be "smart"...but it also wouldn't  surprise me if they can out "smart" someone with a collage education!

@ angel winters: I would love a "collage" education. Does that include decoupage?

Overall I'm with Ace, in this day and age a high school diploma is pretty easy to come by, and it's not clear to me at all why someone would deny themselves that opportunity. But this is specific to the US.

The educational system in the UK (and related countries) is quite different, there is no single standard high school diploma like in the US. Even people who stay through age 18 or 19 to pursue pre-college qualifications are called "leavers" not "graduates". It is still acceptable to leave at age 16, and there is not the stigma associated with not having a high school diploma. I'd like to see more details on what the UK types actually did.

But in the US a GED is not quite the same as a high school diploma and I'd (I guess quite controversially) wonder at someone rebelling for any reason in light of this; it might seem a good idea at 17 but if it haunts you for the rest of your life...

please refer to the avatar the the right...it is true to form even though I know the correct spelling is not collage its college...lmao

I got my GED!!! at 17 .....wow that was 15 years ago.

-Nathiest
live for lust die for love

Now that I just can't believe!! 

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These people are lucky. A good portion of people without high school degrees are not.  A high school  degree or GED is very important. Even if it doesn't get you a top job, it's nice to have something that you worked hard for.

i believe that an individuals true talent doesn't just come from sitting in a school room for 8 hours a day.. not eveyone is lucky enough to have caring nurturing teachers. sometimes, teachers are horrible and even surpress their students. the school "atmosphere" is not for everyone.. not every person is alike! and i would hope that people on this website would know that a little better than others!  i dropped out of highschool my junior year when i was 17. i had transferred to an art school my jr year and hated it.. when i transferred back to my regular highschool the next semester they wouldn't accept the credits from the art school. i was going to have to retake every class and graduate a year later. i decided it would be best to just drop out and get my ged. i have to say that getting my ged has not affected me in any way. people tell you that you will not be able to get into college with a ged and that it will stay with you forever.. that's such BS. there's this horrible stigma with getting a ged and it needs to end. i applied to 3 state colleges and 1 out of state college and was accepted to every single one... WITH my ged. of course, i wasnt offered scholorships etc. but my financial situation was where i did not have to worry about that. i'm now in my jr year of college and i can promise you that getting my ged has NEVER come back to haunt me. soo, when people tell you that you have to make A's in highschool or you can kiss college goodbye.. don't believe it. of course, the ideal is to get A's and not drop out! but.. really, just because you got your ged doesn't mean you're not as good or even better than the rest.. you just have to follow your OWN path.

i told you i was trouble.

So it kinda sounds like you're saying you can't be smart without a degree of some sorts. That's just a load of BS.

I can't even think straight...

 Okay, the Whoopie Goldberg thing has been discussed, but I think a slightly different point needs to be made.

 I don't think it's fair to call someone "less educated" because they don't have a lot of FORMAL education. I'm similar to this blogger in that I know a lot of people with college degrees...which is why I contend that "formal education" does not equal "education".

 I consider reading and learning to be a perfectly valid method of obtaining education, whether or not teachers and general education requirements are involved.

   I think this is a topic that needs to be analyzed on an individual basis. The majority of the people listed in this article started their careers at a young age where sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day would make it impossible for them to acheive the status they currently have (i.e. Hillary Swank, hard to make it to auditions and film movies if you are at school all day). For that reason I'm sure either dropping out or the GED route makes much more sense. It also allows them to practice and master their particular artform by doing...which is the best way to learn.

   I enjoy research and psychology and for this reason a graduate degree makes perfect sense, for this is the best way for me to become a master at my chosen task. If I were able to do what I want to do without ~9 years of college I would have a lot more free time and a much bigger bank account. Everyone needs to do what is necessary to become the best at what they want to do with their life, and a high school diploma is not a great help for every profession. 

I understand what you're trying to say, Ace. I do believe that generally people who are smarter (and by that I mean "booksmart") tend to hold degrees. Simply because they are inclined towards professions for which one will need degrees (doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, professors, etc.) But of course, there are also many intelligent people who are attracted towards more "hands-on" jobs. Maybe it's more fair to say that those who go to Universities are smart. But not all smart people go to University.

As for dropping out of HS, people do that for any number of reasons. Sometimes it's because they have no choice (maybe because of financial reasons), sometimes it's because some people can't learn in the structured environment of school, sometimes it's the social climate (like the ancient view that women needn't have formal education)

Education does not have to be gained in the formal way. If motivated enough, one can educate oneself in a number of things, especially with the internet and easy access to books these days. Formal education does compel one to a structure/discipline when motivation to learn is not enough. For instance, the only reason why I took AP calculus and physics is because I had to learn it. I would probably never touch a book of it otherwise.

While I agree that there isn't always a connection between education and intelligence (the stupidest people I've ever known I met in college), this does not mean you do not need an education.

We are not talking about MAs and BAs, we are talking about high school.

I am sure you can have a great and productive life without it, but let's not start advocating dropping out is no big deal. It should be.

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-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Who doesn't blog these days?

I know for a fact that the majority of Americans are able to write well before 8th grade, so your comment about Whoopi not being able to write is pure ingnorance! Do more research before you make such blanketed remarks about education levels Ace.