The Idiot Buffet
What is it about idiots that we find so attractive? Why do we find stories of utter stupidity so enthralling? Why do find morons so tempting a target?
There are many answers of course. Idiots are entertaining, stupidity is always a source of humor and of course, self serving morons are more obsessed than sexual masochists (sexual masochists usually have to disrobe. Morons are satisfied with the beatings they invite, fully clothed, anytime, any where).
Mamacita has it right, of course. In the post below, she mentions the direction we are headed in. Is she a prophetess? Hardly. The misuse of Title IX regulations were the harbinger of things to come. Political correctness- usually dispensed by people who opine on matters they know nothing about (despite watching TV, reading a Barnes and Noble suggested title or reading a particular website)- and in all probability, will never be informed. Why should they be bothered to be informed? They feel they have what to contribute. The good news is that they are entertaining.
Mamacita's remarks are found in the post below this one. If you haven't yet read them, do so now. If you have, reread them.MaxedOutMama contributed an interesting comment:
There is an old saying, "The truth is often spoken in jest." With that in mind, The Barking Dingo left an interesting comment:
Here's the deal- we can't all 'just get along.' We've tried. Smarter people than you have tried and will continue to try. The reality is that we have deal with reality. The reality is that being inclusive simple because you feel it's a good thing to do, only exacerbates real problems for everyone.
Not happy your kid didn't get the marks to get into a good school? Too bad. Maybe he or she is not meant to go to a good school. That Harvard 'dumbed down' for a decade and gave out A's like candy doesn't mean your kid is as smart as the kid who really learned his or her stuff. All it means is that the kid who really did worked his ass off (that means, not your limp brained kid) will have had his work demeaned and diminished because of your meat-loaf brained kid of yours. In the end, you can't fool mother nature. That idiot kid of your neighbor's that graduated Harvard will be regarded as an idiot- because he or she is an idiot. You won't be able to hide the reality that behind the backs of many parents, voices will be heard saying, 'THAT idiot went to Harvard?'
Want your kid to do well? Have them earn it. Your genetic material didn't pass on the ability to test well? Learn how to test well. Yes, that may mean that little precious Einstein of yours may have to give up Theater Class. Yup, your kid may have learn to be the best he or she can be, for themselves and by themselves- and not be a parrot. Simply repeating Shakespeare's or Williams words does not mean that idiot kid of yours actually understands Shakespeare or Williams. Nor is Theater Class a substitute for real learning.
Next up, what we think of remedial classes in colleges and universities. Stay tuned.
There are many answers of course. Idiots are entertaining, stupidity is always a source of humor and of course, self serving morons are more obsessed than sexual masochists (sexual masochists usually have to disrobe. Morons are satisfied with the beatings they invite, fully clothed, anytime, any where).
Mamacita has it right, of course. In the post below, she mentions the direction we are headed in. Is she a prophetess? Hardly. The misuse of Title IX regulations were the harbinger of things to come. Political correctness- usually dispensed by people who opine on matters they know nothing about (despite watching TV, reading a Barnes and Noble suggested title or reading a particular website)- and in all probability, will never be informed. Why should they be bothered to be informed? They feel they have what to contribute. The good news is that they are entertaining.
Mamacita's remarks are found in the post below this one. If you haven't yet read them, do so now. If you have, reread them.MaxedOutMama contributed an interesting comment:
I thought you were commenting on Palm Beach County's decision to eliminate letter grades and substitute a 1,2,3 system.
Clearly they are trying to do something similar to what you described. Here's an article:Well, MOM, what you want is irrelevant. What Mamacita wants, is irrelevant. What we are going to get is something that offends as few people as possible and makes a lot of people feel good.
Elementary principals voted for the change this year, saying the letter grade system can be an obsession with students and parents and doesn't reflect how a student is really learning. The school board will not vote on the change.
Under the formula, a 1 means the student is working a year or more below grade level, a 2 indicates the student is working less than a year below grade level, and a 3 means they are working at or above grade level.
See? You just can't make this stuff up. The only thing a parent can tell is whether their kid is below grade level. I would hate that - I want more precise feedback
There is an old saying, "The truth is often spoken in jest." With that in mind, The Barking Dingo left an interesting comment:
"I was in high school at the very beginning of the whole 'self esteem' movement. I was the student representative to the school board (yes, I know, I'm a geek). Anyway, we had the typical honors classes (math, physics, English, chemistry, etc). A group of parents came in and petitioned the school board to set up an 'Honors class B' for all of their kids that were not good enough to get into the regular honors classes. It was voted down unanimously by the board, but that was an eye opener for me.He may be on to something. The fact of the matter is that we need to treat the ideas and notions of those people who know nothing and yet feel as their voice is of equal merit, because they feel it should be.
Since, I am not a parent, I can safely take no blame for this movement. I will instead place the blame squarely on all of you.
Here's the deal- we can't all 'just get along.' We've tried. Smarter people than you have tried and will continue to try. The reality is that we have deal with reality. The reality is that being inclusive simple because you feel it's a good thing to do, only exacerbates real problems for everyone.
Not happy your kid didn't get the marks to get into a good school? Too bad. Maybe he or she is not meant to go to a good school. That Harvard 'dumbed down' for a decade and gave out A's like candy doesn't mean your kid is as smart as the kid who really learned his or her stuff. All it means is that the kid who really did worked his ass off (that means, not your limp brained kid) will have had his work demeaned and diminished because of your meat-loaf brained kid of yours. In the end, you can't fool mother nature. That idiot kid of your neighbor's that graduated Harvard will be regarded as an idiot- because he or she is an idiot. You won't be able to hide the reality that behind the backs of many parents, voices will be heard saying, 'THAT idiot went to Harvard?'
Want your kid to do well? Have them earn it. Your genetic material didn't pass on the ability to test well? Learn how to test well. Yes, that may mean that little precious Einstein of yours may have to give up Theater Class. Yup, your kid may have learn to be the best he or she can be, for themselves and by themselves- and not be a parrot. Simply repeating Shakespeare's or Williams words does not mean that idiot kid of yours actually understands Shakespeare or Williams. Nor is Theater Class a substitute for real learning.
Next up, what we think of remedial classes in colleges and universities. Stay tuned.
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