Cecil Moore wrote:
Dave Heil wrote:
What are we to make of it--that people generally take the
easiest route to something?

When one is dealing with a governmental licensing
bureau, there is no "easiest route". Only one route
is offered by the rule *makers* for each license
class.

Actually, that's not always true.

For example, from 1990 to 2000, there were medical waivers
for the 13 and 20 wpm Morse Code tests. Those who wanted
a General, Advanced or Extra class license had the choice
of passing the required test *or* getting a waiver. Depending
on the individual, one route could be easier than the other.

Similarly, for a couple of decades now the Morse Code test(s)
could be passed by either one-minute-solid-copy or fill-in-the-blank
route - whichever was easier for the individual.

The *takers* of the exam cannot be blamed
for the present licensing structure.

In general, that's true. However, if a particular individual worked for

changes in the licensing structure....

How can a new
general class ham be considered to be inferior to
an older general class ham when each ham took the
one and only exam available at his particular time
of testing?

One person's *knowledge* may be less than another's,
depending on what was on the tests at the time.

However, a test is simply one data point, not the whole picture.

There's a big difference between pointing out changes in the
license tests and making sweeping generalizations about those
who passed them.

Incidentally, mice that take the easiest route
to the cheese hidden in a maze are considered
to be the most intelligent. :-)
--
All mice take the easiest route.

Some just do it faster than others.

73 es KC de Jim, N2EY