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
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.
