Cult of Ignorance in America

http://www.sott.net/article/313177-The-cult-of-ignorance-in-the-United-States-Anti-intellectualism-and-the-dumbing-down-of-America

The cult of ignorance in the United States: Anti-intellectualism and the "dumbing down" of America

I agree with a lot of what is said in this article…these are my 2:00am reactions. My comments in italics.

" It's the dismissal of science, the arts, and humanities and their replacement by entertainment, self-righteousness, ignorance, and deliberate gullibility."

Yes, sensationalism and escapism from the reality that is pressing into us more and more, and not in a good way. Gullibility: I would say more along the lines of avoidance and self-created ignorance, again because of some dark suspicion that the earth is in trouble. Something dark cometh this way…

" political advantage in the pursuit of power…"

Keeps people's eyes veiled of the truth, to keep them complacent.

"…everybody is an expert."

Yes, depending on how many likes they receive on the FaceBook (FB is not God people).

"We don't educate people anymore. We train them to get jobs."

Yes, I have worked for a "job training" organization (YMCA). It did good stuff. "Education" is what I will be doing for a long time…math education. The job training is to create more worker bees who do not think independently and critically, and will not challenge the system when it bears down on them.

"Nearly 50% of all graduate students in the sciences in the U.S. are foreigners, most of whom are returning to their home countries."

Crazy brain drain. Count the days until the United States is not in the top 5 country powerhouses.

"for the first time, the educational attainment of young people will be lower than their parents."

Scary. But I believe it. And it does not look good for our future.

"more than 40% of Americans under 44 did not read a single book--fiction or nonfiction--over the course of a year."

Yes that's me, but I was reading 100 articles for graduate school.

"Well-educated and intellectual students are commonly referred to in public schools and the media as "nerds," "dweebs," "dorks," and "geeks," and are relentlessly harassed and even assaulted by the more popular "jocks" for openly displaying any intellect."

Yes, I observe this in my current place of employment. I can point to two "smart" students in my math class who are most likely made fun of by the "popular" kids. I will remind them, the nerds will rule the world. Maybe we should watch the move series Revenge of the Nerds. I hope to teach at a school that pounces on the haters and bullies to uphold a reverence for knowledge and education. I still believe that knowledge is power—if used correctly. I was told recently that in the past, kids would be in school to go to college, now they are in school just to graduate from high school.

"The profession of teaching is one that is seen as being of central value in Japanese society and those who choose that profession are well compensated in terms of salary, pension, and respect for their knowledge and their efforts on behalf of children."

I will spend a large majority of my life "on behalf of children." I still want to teach in the United States. I see a lot of work that needs to be done.

" make sure their voice is heard above the rest, and to drag down any opposing views through personal attacks, loud repetition and confrontation."

I see this in a previous roommate.

" Critical thinking is the devil's tool."

Well if that's the case, then I'm a devil training. I'm writing my curriculum development project on problem solving as applied to math (specifically Algebra). Should I start running?

" The artificial events of their lives become the mainstay of populist media to distract people from the real issues and concerns facing us."

Yes, because they are too scary, far away, and unknown to consider.

"'.... supported by a declining education system…"

Well I must disagree. I see many points of light streaming through the murkiness in the education system. Let me walketh into the darkness and shine my light.

"They are perfectly hollowed vessels, receptive and obedient, without any real obligations or devotions."

I see this is a 22 year old at the gym I go to.