The Fundamental Problem With Today’s Society
I’m not really sure how to start this off. I’m not even sure who will read it. A few of my followers, sure, but who else? How familiar will they (you) be with my background? On the assumption that you don’t know anything about me, you should know that I’m a thinker; I live inside my head. Often times I’m thinking philosophically (notice my use of fancy science-y words. I’m so fancy). I come to conclusions about life, people, society, etc. though these conclusions are opinions. Everything I’m about to write is an opinion, and by no means am I claiming that it is fact. I’ll say it again for emphasis… OPINION, NOT FACT.(I even made it bold for you).
After a quick debate (if you could call it that. Twas more of an exchange of thoughts, really), I’ve concluded that the fundamental problem with today’s society lies in our public education systems. (I’m American, and am referring specifically to US school systems, though I’m sure this could apply to many nations).
The simplest way to put it is that children are no longer being taught to think. Instead, you learn to take things at face value. Children aren’t allowed to ask “why?” anymore. You’re taught that this is the way things are, and questioning it is stupid. Of course there are some things that don’t really need to be questioned; 2+2=4 because that’s the way math works, for example. What I’m talking about are the belief based things such as religion and politics, to name the most prominent two. If a class reads a book with some controversial topics in it, the teacher will not likely ask “how do you feel about that?”, but will rather explain why said topic is good or bad. You’re taught how you’re supposed to feel about various things the same way you’re taught the alphabet; “that’s how it is, question nothing!”.
Creativity of any form is typically frowned upon as well. When school budgets get tight, the first programs to go are the arts programs. This is unfortunate because it’s the creative people that will make a difference in the future. If a kid gets fidgety in class, they’re given medication and sent on their way. Schools teach children how to be successful on the corporate ladder, how to be a mindless business drone. The system is set up in such a way that these schools are teaching the standardized tests. Everything is set to reflect positively on those tests so the schools get more money. The problem though, is that we continue to lower the bar. No parent wants to be told their child is dumb, or slow, so instead of getting the child the help they need, we continue to lower the requirements for passing, and as a result, we have kids graduating high school that don’t know anything. Even forming a legitimate sentence is a pleasant surprise amongst the kids now. (I’m not claiming to be grammatically perfect, and I’m sure there are plenty of mistakes in this little rant already. I’m talking about Ppl daT sPeLl lYk diz b@byYY).
Kids today learn their opinions in school, or through their parents, or through the media. “This is what’s normal, so this is how I feel about _________”. This is why politics and the media are able to get away with the stuff they do; because the young generations don’t know any better. They can’t see or understand the argument made by the opposing side of any given topic, and anyone who disagrees with them is “ignorant”, “stupid”, “bigoted”, “sexist”, “racist”, or whatever. Very few stop to think about why the other side feels the way they do, how their own argument is flawed, and where each group could use some work or compromise.
True critical thinking is not something that kids learn now. That, I believe, is where we’ve gone wrong. The world will never be perfect, humanity will never be perfect; we are flawed. But if we want to improve, we need to have true thinkers, and truly creative people.
tl;dr - Kids today don’t know how to think, analyze, and form their own opinions. Instead, their opinions are taught to them in school, through the media, through religion, and through parenting.
Disclaimer:There are of course teachers out there who do try to teach their students to analyze and question everything, and to you, I salute you. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more like you. You are truly heroes for helping those kids become productive human beings that will hopefully go on to contribute something meaningful to society.
I pray before the yawning maws of gluttonous ruin, the divinity that shall swallow the heavens and sunder the earth, drowning all within the infinite ocean of darkness
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| — | Nightbringer |
Life would be a billion times better if said pinatas were people you hate. Some examples being an old ex; that kid who stabbed you in the back in high school and took your boy/girl; that kid who actually stabbed you in the back with a knife; that uncle that touched you as a child; that grandparent who metaphorically(?) beats you with a Bible; the girl in your class with the worst music tastes ever; any jock; Justin Beiber, One Direction, or anyone else in the pop music scene; the neighbor behind you with nine kids.
