[OT] WSJ: “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior”

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.

[AK]

I too think that balance is important … Those catty social cliques are a “distraction” in high school, but they live on in the adult workplace. I think it’s important to learn how to deal with those power games without being consumed by them.

Isolating your kids from frivolous “mainstream” pop culture doesn’t do them any favors either. How can you market to the mainstream culture without understanding it? How can you make sound investment decisions without understanding consumer sentiment and investor psychology?

And music lessons … that’s a subject for another post entirely. Suffice it to say that IMO piano is left-brained and single-threaded, while guitar is right-brained and multithreaded. If you want your kid to grow up with half a brain, restrict him/her to piano. Better yet, restrict them to classical works written by dead guys in powdered wigs and silk stockings.

[AK]

I too think that balance is important … Those catty social cliques are a “distraction” in high school, but they live on in the adult workplace. I think it’s important to learn how to deal with those power games without being consumed by them.

Isolating your kids from frivolous “mainstream” pop culture doesn’t do them any favors either. How can you market to the mainstream culture without understanding it? How can you make sound investment decisions without understanding consumer sentiment and investor psychology?

And music lessons … that’s a subject for another post entirely. Suffice it to say that IMO piano is left-brained and single-threaded, while guitar is right-brained and multithreaded. If you want your kid to grow up with half a brain, restrict him/her to piano. Better yet, restrict them to classical works written by dead guys in powdered wigs and silk stockings.

[AK]

I too think that balance is important … Those catty social cliques are a “distraction” in high school, but they live on in the adult workplace. I think it’s important to learn how to deal with those power games without being consumed by them.

Isolating your kids from frivolous “mainstream” pop culture doesn’t do them any favors either. How can you market to the mainstream culture without understanding it? How can you make sound investment decisions without understanding consumer sentiment and investor psychology?

And music lessons … that’s a subject for another post entirely. Suffice it to say that IMO piano is left-brained and single-threaded, while guitar is right-brained and multithreaded. If you want your kid to grow up with half a brain, restrict him/her to piano. Better yet, restrict them to classical works written by dead guys in powdered wigs and silk stockings.

[AK]

I too think that balance is important … Those catty social cliques are a “distraction” in high school, but they live on in the adult workplace. I think it’s important to learn how to deal with those power games without being consumed by them.

Isolating your kids from frivolous “mainstream” pop culture doesn’t do them any favors either. How can you market to the mainstream culture without understanding it? How can you make sound investment decisions without understanding consumer sentiment and investor psychology?

And music lessons … that’s a subject for another post entirely. Suffice it to say that IMO piano is left-brained and single-threaded, while guitar is right-brained and multithreaded. If you want your kid to grow up with half a brain, restrict him/her to piano. Better yet, restrict them to classical works written by dead guys in powdered wigs and silk stockings.

[AK]

I too think that balance is important … Those catty social cliques are a “distraction” in high school, but they live on in the adult workplace. I think it’s important to learn how to deal with those power games without being consumed by them.

Isolating your kids from frivolous “mainstream” pop culture doesn’t do them any favors either. How can you market to the mainstream culture without understanding it? How can you make sound investment decisions without understanding consumer sentiment and investor psychology?

And music lessons … that’s a subject for another post entirely. Suffice it to say that IMO piano is left-brained and single-threaded, while guitar is right-brained and multithreaded. If you want your kid to grow up with half a brain, restrict him/her to piano. Better yet, restrict them to classical works written by dead guys in powdered wigs and silk stockings.

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.[/quote]

You’re right, but then we shouldn’t complain about the country going down the drain. The only way to improve is to recognize the weaknesses and come up with solutions. Making people feel bad is often the first step for improvement. Tell people when they are lazy and praise them when they work hard. Don’t reward losers – make them feel bad to motivate them. I believe that the current climate is contraproductive and leads to disaster. Political correctness is the enemy of progress!

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.[/quote]

You’re right, but then we shouldn’t complain about the country going down the drain. The only way to improve is to recognize the weaknesses and come up with solutions. Making people feel bad is often the first step for improvement. Tell people when they are lazy and praise them when they work hard. Don’t reward losers – make them feel bad to motivate them. I believe that the current climate is contraproductive and leads to disaster. Political correctness is the enemy of progress!

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.[/quote]

You’re right, but then we shouldn’t complain about the country going down the drain. The only way to improve is to recognize the weaknesses and come up with solutions. Making people feel bad is often the first step for improvement. Tell people when they are lazy and praise them when they work hard. Don’t reward losers – make them feel bad to motivate them. I believe that the current climate is contraproductive and leads to disaster. Political correctness is the enemy of progress!

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.[/quote]

You’re right, but then we shouldn’t complain about the country going down the drain. The only way to improve is to recognize the weaknesses and come up with solutions. Making people feel bad is often the first step for improvement. Tell people when they are lazy and praise them when they work hard. Don’t reward losers – make them feel bad to motivate them. I believe that the current climate is contraproductive and leads to disaster. Political correctness is the enemy of progress!

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.[/quote]

You’re right, but then we shouldn’t complain about the country going down the drain. The only way to improve is to recognize the weaknesses and come up with solutions. Making people feel bad is often the first step for improvement. Tell people when they are lazy and praise them when they work hard. Don’t reward losers – make them feel bad to motivate them. I believe that the current climate is contraproductive and leads to disaster. Political correctness is the enemy of progress!

[sdduuuude]

Tell me again how not being allowed to “attend a sleepover,” “have a playdate,” or “be in a school play” is a good thing ?

I was allowed to do all those things and I could ruin a curve with the best of them. Asians cowered in fear when I joined a college class 🙂

My kids are on the same path. The playdates and sleepovers don’t seem to be ruining their road to success.

Yours Truly,
Male, Pale, and Stale

[sdduuuude]

Tell me again how not being allowed to “attend a sleepover,” “have a playdate,” or “be in a school play” is a good thing ?

I was allowed to do all those things and I could ruin a curve with the best of them. Asians cowered in fear when I joined a college class 🙂

My kids are on the same path. The playdates and sleepovers don’t seem to be ruining their road to success.

Yours Truly,
Male, Pale, and Stale

[sdduuuude]

Tell me again how not being allowed to “attend a sleepover,” “have a playdate,” or “be in a school play” is a good thing ?

I was allowed to do all those things and I could ruin a curve with the best of them. Asians cowered in fear when I joined a college class 🙂

My kids are on the same path. The playdates and sleepovers don’t seem to be ruining their road to success.

Yours Truly,
Male, Pale, and Stale

[sdduuuude]

Tell me again how not being allowed to “attend a sleepover,” “have a playdate,” or “be in a school play” is a good thing ?

I was allowed to do all those things and I could ruin a curve with the best of them. Asians cowered in fear when I joined a college class 🙂

My kids are on the same path. The playdates and sleepovers don’t seem to be ruining their road to success.

Yours Truly,
Male, Pale, and Stale

[Author]

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