u/LeBeauMonde

I'd like to read anecdotes & ideas about alternative types of credential, signifiers, merit, etc. in fields where a university degree is common.

Science, history, academia, forestry, curation, museum studies, literature, and so on.

I am not trying to debate the usefulness of university education, I am interested in alternative methods -- certificates & conferences that carry weight, publication that impress, .... anything people have heard of, used, imagined ...

EDIT -- to emphasize, I am not trying to debate the pros & cons of university education, simply to gather & sound alternatives.

Also, I am interested in the discussion of ideas & resources generally, this isn't a request for personal advice about my own situation, of which I have offered no details.

Silent Film Festivals - 2026

Seeing a silent film in a theater is unlike any other film-going experience. Part nostalgia, part theater and a completely beautiful live experience. These films were built for big screens, live music, and an audience reacting together. The visuals really pop when they’re not squeezed onto a laptop, and the live score adds energy you simply don’t get from a recording. Without dialogue, you end up paying closer attention, and the storytelling feels sharper, not dated. Plus, the crowd matters—comedy hits better, dramatic moments carry more weight, and the whole thing feels more immediate. Do yourself a favor. Go out and experience a silent film in a theater.

Please comment below if you have knowledge of any local or international Silent Film Festivals that are not already listed.

• San Francisco Silent Film Festival - May 6-10 2026, Castro Theater, San Francisco USA silentfilm.org
• GEMS Enjoy the Silents - May 15-16 2026 Electric Theater, St. George UT USA https://rccinema.net/gems/
• Newhallywood Silent Film Festival - May 22-24, Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita, CA https://santaclaritaarts.com/newhallywood/
• Nitrate Picture Show - June 4-7, 2026 Eastman Museum, Rochester, NY USA https://www.eastman.org/
• Il Cinema Ritrovato - June 20-28, 2026, Bologna, Italy https://ilcinemaritrovato.it/
• MoMA Silent Movie Week - July 29 to August 4, 2026 - MoMA, New York City USA https://www.moma.org/
• Los Angeles Silent Film Festival - September 11-13 2026 - Los Feliz 3, Los Angeles USA https://www.losangelessilentfilmfestival.org/
• Pordenone Silent Film Festival - October 3-10 2026, Pordenone, Italy , https://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/

Not trade certificates. Not online tutorials. Rather, means of accumulating alternative credentials outside the mainstream system.

Not simply means & methods of learning, but (creative) ways of demonstrating or signifying merit & knowledge to institutions, employers, audiences, etc..

Edit: especially subjects where expertise would normally be associated with a college degree (history, literature, philology, curation, etc.).