http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout...ker-tells-students-not-special-145709954.html
But...but...think of their fragile self esteem...
But...but...think of their fragile self esteem...
Teacher tells students in commencement speech..."You're not special"
- Thread starter wetnose
- Start date
^^^Indeed Bruce did!!!
In the USA it's scary how much has been lost in just one generation.
The only ones doing well are the top 5%. The rest are moving backwards as the standard of living for them declines. Kids today just DON'T have the opportunities we all had just 40 yrs ago. Corporate Globalism is the root cause of this decline as jobs are offshored by the millions for corporate caprice, to benefit the greedy few. We used to take care of our own. Not any more. Corporate apologists say they care more about Hop Sing in Beijing, than their own people and GI Joe returning to the States. Veteran unemployment levels are running ~30%. Vets come home to see their jobs were offshored, while they were 'spreading freedom & democracy' over in Iraq and Afghanistan!....
In the USA it's scary how much has been lost in just one generation.
The only ones doing well are the top 5%. The rest are moving backwards as the standard of living for them declines. Kids today just DON'T have the opportunities we all had just 40 yrs ago. Corporate Globalism is the root cause of this decline as jobs are offshored by the millions for corporate caprice, to benefit the greedy few. We used to take care of our own. Not any more. Corporate apologists say they care more about Hop Sing in Beijing, than their own people and GI Joe returning to the States. Veteran unemployment levels are running ~30%. Vets come home to see their jobs were offshored, while they were 'spreading freedom & democracy' over in Iraq and Afghanistan!....
Well, the focus in our schools is telling under-achievers "you can do it!" rather than telling average- and over-achievers "you can do it better!" So we get a whole lot of mediocre students. A few have the necessary drive to stand apart anyway, but our focus is always on the under-achievers. Is that good or bad? I don't know.
While I agree that life is a long and tough road, a commencement speaker shouldn't dash the hopes of kids who are newly graduating. Why crush the only thing the kids have at that point which is hope? Life will come along and do that for them soon enough. Those that will rise up and move mountains will come along regardless but for the average kid - that is just a shitty thing to say when they graduate.
The guy is a douchebag.
The guy is a douchebag.
I agree it shouldn't have been said at the commencement but it does need to be said...and often. Kids these days have so much smoke blown up their asses it's unreal. They should be frequently brought down a peg or 2 to prepare them for the real world.
With all the jobs being outsourced, it's no wonder these kids don't have a future. If you want a future, go to a third world country and work for all the North American companies established there. Let the top 5 percentile receive all the benefits and service that the third world country provides. There is so much money in Canada and the US, but there is no work.
I think one of the problems today is instant gratification. Children and not taught to stick with things. Building a business takes time, energy and commitment. There is so much entertainment and crap food around as distractions. A solid work ethic, decent fitness level and nutritious diet seem to be discouraged. The entertainment industry glorifies the "maverick". Well we cannot all be mavericks.
I look at these protests in Montreal and I am stunned. I just do not understand - except a bunch of spoiled kids looking to party.
The problem is not external - there is lots of opportunity for those willing to pay the price. It is just that so few are.
I look at these protests in Montreal and I am stunned. I just do not understand - except a bunch of spoiled kids looking to party.
The problem is not external - there is lots of opportunity for those willing to pay the price. It is just that so few are.
With each passing graduation class I worry less and less for my future employment prospects.............
There are much better ways to deliver the message he was trying to send, than at a Secondary School graduation. Talk of a bucket of ice water!
I thought it was a good message.
It's not like he's saying they are worthless or losers, he was still telling them to take pride in their achievement.
It's not like he's saying they are worthless or losers, he was still telling them to take pride in their achievement.
Both his speech and Dern's are fantastic. The world needs a little more truth telling. It's respectful.
It needs to be remembered that across Canada and the U.S. there are all sorts of economic micro-climates. A teen in say coastal B.C., coastal Nova Scotia, coastal Maine or Coastal Washington State who has but a High School Diploma or perhaps hasn't graduated at all, has radically different job prospects and indeed a chance for a successful life than a teen with but a High School Diploma in Toronto, Detroit, Winnipeg, New York or Hamilton.
Further, I get the feeling that some here are the same sort of folks who think "awards night" is just fantastic - otherwise known as let us rub the noses of those for whom High School is the the end of the line or close to it, with the bursaries/scholarships of the class high-fliers who have gotten all their University expenses paid.
Further, I get the feeling that some here are the same sort of folks who think "awards night" is just fantastic - otherwise known as let us rub the noses of those for whom High School is the the end of the line or close to it, with the bursaries/scholarships of the class high-fliers who have gotten all their University expenses paid.
