next »

[parispundit]

The century rankings look good to me at first glance.

Coimbra was already an excellent university by the end of the 14th century, but it doesn't show up in Forrest's rankings until the 16th century.  The expeditions of Da Gama and Eannes were both connected to work at the University.  This was probably also the case for the Venetian da Cadamosto, who sailed for Prince Henry of Portugal. - DvF

Show off!

[frenchdoctor]

When I talk about such things in the overseas sub-forum, people think I'm exaggerating.

By the way, the French Revolutionaries dismantled the old catholic universities in 1793. Therefore, there is no continuity between the medieval universities and the modern ones. How can a researcher forget the French Revolution ? It isn't anecdotal.

And what is the "université de Paris" anyway ? Parisian public system is divided in 13 universities sorted by number. The campus in the 5th arrondissement of Paris is famous because it hosts many prestigious institutions (ENS, Chartes, Paris-IV, Henri IV, Louis le Grand, Collège de France...) but it's a cluster of distinct institutions, not a single university. This "université de Paris" doesn't have any legal existence.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

Show off!

I've spent some time in Portugal.  Coimbra is a cool place; their library has portraits on the walls of notable professors going back several hundred years.  Every other country I know, those portraits would have been of patrons or administrators. - DvF

[yellowtractor]

Without Chinese money, you cannot stay in Iraq or anywhere for a single day.

This has become my new mantra.  If I could add a third quotation to my tag line, I would.

Show off!

I've spent some time in Portugal.  Coimbra is a cool place; their library has portraits on the walls of notable professors going back several hundred years.  Every other country I know, those portraits would have been of patrons or administrators. - DvF

Those wacky Portingals--so suave, so spunky!

[forest1227]

I have been informed that certain “top universities” pay top money to get to the top of the list. University ranking has become an important business. EU is coming out with its own ranking to break the monopoly. Under such a circumstance, it is not difficult to imagine that the special interest group will hire someone to do smear campaign against any competitors. With money, you can buy anything. Of course, those involved in such a scheme would never publicly admit that.

The oldest profession is whoredom; the newest profession is intellectual whoredom.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

Back for more aromatic molecules?

As far as I can tell, there's only one person on this thread who is trying to sell anyone anything. - DvF

[yellowtractor]

And I have been informed, all snark and ridicule aside, from completely serious sources, that Bigfoot really is in it with the aliens.  Your point?

In the meantime, if someone was going to pay me for helping with this smear campaign against your rankings, I wish they would get on with it.  I need new shoes.

[polly_mer]

In the meantime, if someone was going to pay me for helping with this smear campaign against your rankings, I wish they would get on with it.  I need new shoes.

<stern look>

If you don't fill out the voucher and submit it on schedule, you certainly can't expect to get paid in a timely manner.  Sheesh, the sense of entitlement you DSMs have is amazing.  Next, you will expect us to pay you top rate for sitting at home in your sweatpants instead of wearing a suit to conduct your contractual duties.  If you check the fine print, you will see that we require sartorial excellence in all activities conducted for our group.

So fill out that voucher for the past month's activities because my camera shows that you do indeed need to replace those disgraceful shoes.

[frenchdoctor]

Goodness me, we're discovered. Now everyone knows we're Illuminatis. We'll have to find another way to secretly rule the world.

[dr_evil]

<stern look>

If you don't fill out the voucher and submit it on schedule, you certainly can't expect to get paid in a timely manner.  Sheesh, the sense of entitlement you DSMs have is amazing.  Next, you will expect us to pay you top rate for sitting at home in your sweatpants instead of wearing a suit to conduct your contractual duties.  If you check the fine print, you will see that we require sartorial excellence in all activities conducted for our group.

So fill out that voucher for the past month's activities because my camera shows that you do indeed need to replace those disgraceful shoes.

You allow clothes?  I thought there was a rule that DSMs were supposed to post nekkid.  Who lied to me?  I will so get even!

[daurousseau]

If you could trade your degree for one higher up the list, which would you choose?

[polly_mer]

<stern look>

If you don't fill out the voucher and submit it on schedule, you certainly can't expect to get paid in a timely manner.  Sheesh, the sense of entitlement you DSMs have is amazing.  Next, you will expect us to pay you top rate for sitting at home in your sweatpants instead of wearing a suit to conduct your contractual duties.  If you check the fine print, you will see that we require sartorial excellence in all activities conducted for our group.

So fill out that voucher for the past month's activities because my camera shows that you do indeed need to replace those disgraceful shoes.

You allow clothes?  I thought there was a rule that DSMs were supposed to post nekkid.  Who lied to me?  I will so get even!

You are conflating two completely separate issues: posting general comments to the fora and defending the world from idiots.  For general posting needs, a DSM should be nekkid except for the hat upon which the Blue Rhinoceros Triangle button is proudly displayed.  However, for missions outside the ivory tower, the DSM should don a full suit and change the big button for the more discreet tie tack or label pin.

[parispundit]

The oldest profession is whoredom; the newest profession is intellectual whoredom.

[/quote]

Nonsense. See any bio of Virgil or Pietro Aretino

[mouseman]

Forest writes so beautifully.  for those who don't have patience I have collected a number of select quotes  (in case you want to add them to your tagline):

Nothign was omitted, they are all grouped in the "Arts".

Some negative reactions are anticipated as such an international ranking are bond to offend many nationalists.

The main cause of the difference is that it is not a current raking but a historical one.

The large number of mathmaticians as a result of much longer history of development is a natural outcome.

There is a double standard here unless you ask it to everyone who has posted an article.

It merely expose the ulterior motive of those involved. When someone have to resort to the underhanded smearing and personal attack, it becomes obvious the article has touch upon certain critical issues and has its validity.

the distracters have prematurely exhausted their debating skills and are now dependent on mug-slinging.

As the masturbatory exhibition of the jerks continues, the discharge also continues. I decide to stay away to preserve my olfactory sensors for more aromatic molecules.

The sudden eruption is undoubtedly caused by the sore grape syndrome plus out-and-out Francophobia.

Finally, let me quote certain French men (forgot the name): "The French think the American love them, while the American think the French hate them; they are both mistaken."

Your economy has fallen into the hole that Greenspan helped to dig out, and is sinking into the mud.

The oldest profession is whoredom; the newest profession is intellectual whoredom.

[forest1227]

I don't think there is any more to require a reply except that Paris Univ. is traced back to the middle age by all the historians; otherwise many other universities would have to shorten their history too. Brief interruptions are common among universities of such a long history. And many other universities might not even measure up to the standard of higher education even by the standard of their time.

Another matter is that I have become aware that certain ranking service in China has been accused of accepting money from certain universities in one way or another (including speech fees) and manipulating their ranking accordingly. I don’t know if this is the only example of such corruption. So, watch out what you read on magazines.