School has little to do with critical thinking. Indeed, too much critical thinking will get in the way of the primary task of the student, which might be described as “narrative logistics.”
My whole scholastic career was with me critically thinking, "Why do I have to be here? I know this subject better than the teacher."
followed by, "Why is this teacher doing it this way? It doesn't make sense. It would be easier to understand if she did it this way."
Someone, anyone who has to tell the world how smart they are, usually either has rather low IQ or some deep emotional problems that they can’t work out. Best to sail away from their gray water to your own blue water.
Sep 21, 2023·edited Sep 21, 2023Liked by Bruce Ivar Gudmundsson
My mother would say of such people, "he's book-smart, but not street-smart."
(My guess is that in peacetime it pays soldiers to be book smart, to fit in and get promoted. But in wartime, if you want to win, or at least survive, street smart is better, because war is an all-in street fight, not a chess match. That much I have discerned from books! (Never actually personally been in a war.))
Another reason: Smart people signal their intelligence by coming up with justifications for absurd positions. This is probably not applicable to the VAX, but is likely a driver for things like the support of the trans nonsense.
6,7&8 are nearly all to blame in my estimation. Being designated as “smart” gives one an inordinate sense of pride. But even more important for most people, are 1) belonging to their tribe, and 2) not being considered evil. The fear of ostracism from the tribe (for being both evil and dumb) far outweighs any common sense or wisdom, even to the point of death in some cases (think teen suicides or deaths of despair from loneliness). These fears are further exacerbated or magnified if one is in a cuckhold marriage (as nerdy men often are), and even yet worse if they have kids.
Why don't people do what is right? Why do they conform? Why did they get the jab? Why do they insist that "trans women are women"?
Because they are cowards. Most people, I'd say, are cowards. Even in the military, some men who wouldn't bat an eye in the face of incoming fire crumple at the prospect of being forced to break with the conformist mold, or to say "no" when literally everyone is saying "yes."
You have to be comitted to higher ideals, even if you'll be crucified for it.
It is a false understanding of justice that is responsible , especially in light of the idea that we determine our own truths, our own genders. Nobody wants to be accused of judgmentalism. That is the fear. If you have no basis for determining truth outside of how you personally feel, anything goes.
I see a lot of generalization, sanctioning, condemnation, and virtue signalling in these comments. You also don't want to be cast out from your tribe. While I agree that a good part of institutional learning has been corrupted by stupid, evil ideas, it is because of a prior dismissal of the inherent dignity of human beings, the idea that the first rule of medicine is to do no harm, the idea that individuals are only good as long as they are productive and for the good of society are dispensible (utilitatarianism), and that there is no universal truth or goodness or beauty, there is only your truth and my truth, and the problems I mentioned above. But doing the same thing as the other side does, does not help. That is not independent critical thinking.
Many of you, while degrading being "smart" are smart yourselves. I agree being smart has nothing to do with an advanced degree, though I will tell you I have met people who are blindingly smart in the University. The ones who are smart here should not waste their time engaging in virtue signalling. Instead, try to come up with rational solutions that do not involve destruction and fire. That makes you the barbarians at the gate who through hatred destroy what is good along with what is bad.
Western civilization was built on Christianity. I know that much evil has been done in the name of "Christianity." That was not true Christianity. Hospitals, universities, helping the poor, the aged and the orphans, the fight against slavery and abortion are the fruits of true Christianity. Matthew 25 and the Beatitudes are true Christianity. When society as a whole turns against Jesus' teachings and adopts other ideologies is when things begin to fall apart. It has happened before. Universities themselves were good and taught good things in the past. They have been corrupted by a deliberate campaign by the new/old ideologies--pursuit of power, wealth, pleasure, utilitarianism, and relativism.
If you want to be extra muros, start at the beginning, recover the good and true things and preserve and teach them. You don't need a university degree. Yeah, you may be crucified. But you will be in good company.
School has little to do with critical thinking. Indeed, too much critical thinking will get in the way of the primary task of the student, which might be described as “narrative logistics.”
My whole scholastic career was with me critically thinking, "Why do I have to be here? I know this subject better than the teacher."
followed by, "Why is this teacher doing it this way? It doesn't make sense. It would be easier to understand if she did it this way."
Someone, anyone who has to tell the world how smart they are, usually either has rather low IQ or some deep emotional problems that they can’t work out. Best to sail away from their gray water to your own blue water.
This is probably why i failed out of college four times.
I just can't conform.
My mother would say of such people, "he's book-smart, but not street-smart."
(My guess is that in peacetime it pays soldiers to be book smart, to fit in and get promoted. But in wartime, if you want to win, or at least survive, street smart is better, because war is an all-in street fight, not a chess match. That much I have discerned from books! (Never actually personally been in a war.))
A good memory comes in handy as well!
Our education system has been designed to strip people of common sense and make them into unquestioning, obedient serfs. It’s for the children!
Another reason: Smart people signal their intelligence by coming up with justifications for absurd positions. This is probably not applicable to the VAX, but is likely a driver for things like the support of the trans nonsense.
6,7&8 are nearly all to blame in my estimation. Being designated as “smart” gives one an inordinate sense of pride. But even more important for most people, are 1) belonging to their tribe, and 2) not being considered evil. The fear of ostracism from the tribe (for being both evil and dumb) far outweighs any common sense or wisdom, even to the point of death in some cases (think teen suicides or deaths of despair from loneliness). These fears are further exacerbated or magnified if one is in a cuckhold marriage (as nerdy men often are), and even yet worse if they have kids.
Fear, fear, and more fear.
Why don't people do what is right? Why do they conform? Why did they get the jab? Why do they insist that "trans women are women"?
Because they are cowards. Most people, I'd say, are cowards. Even in the military, some men who wouldn't bat an eye in the face of incoming fire crumple at the prospect of being forced to break with the conformist mold, or to say "no" when literally everyone is saying "yes."
You have to be comitted to higher ideals, even if you'll be crucified for it.
It is a false understanding of justice that is responsible , especially in light of the idea that we determine our own truths, our own genders. Nobody wants to be accused of judgmentalism. That is the fear. If you have no basis for determining truth outside of how you personally feel, anything goes.
Yes, cowardice is our common flaw. We are conditioned to be cowardly primarily by...education.
Institutional, industrial education certainly
Education moved past any reconciliation with unleashing the sex fiends on the kids.
This was done to sanction the parents for their defiance during COVID. Education in America is now a sanctions regime.
Soon enough past any forgiveness.
I agree. The question is, what comes next?
Of absolute necessity;
🔥🔥🔥
I see a lot of generalization, sanctioning, condemnation, and virtue signalling in these comments. You also don't want to be cast out from your tribe. While I agree that a good part of institutional learning has been corrupted by stupid, evil ideas, it is because of a prior dismissal of the inherent dignity of human beings, the idea that the first rule of medicine is to do no harm, the idea that individuals are only good as long as they are productive and for the good of society are dispensible (utilitatarianism), and that there is no universal truth or goodness or beauty, there is only your truth and my truth, and the problems I mentioned above. But doing the same thing as the other side does, does not help. That is not independent critical thinking.
Many of you, while degrading being "smart" are smart yourselves. I agree being smart has nothing to do with an advanced degree, though I will tell you I have met people who are blindingly smart in the University. The ones who are smart here should not waste their time engaging in virtue signalling. Instead, try to come up with rational solutions that do not involve destruction and fire. That makes you the barbarians at the gate who through hatred destroy what is good along with what is bad.
Western civilization was built on Christianity. I know that much evil has been done in the name of "Christianity." That was not true Christianity. Hospitals, universities, helping the poor, the aged and the orphans, the fight against slavery and abortion are the fruits of true Christianity. Matthew 25 and the Beatitudes are true Christianity. When society as a whole turns against Jesus' teachings and adopts other ideologies is when things begin to fall apart. It has happened before. Universities themselves were good and taught good things in the past. They have been corrupted by a deliberate campaign by the new/old ideologies--pursuit of power, wealth, pleasure, utilitarianism, and relativism.
If you want to be extra muros, start at the beginning, recover the good and true things and preserve and teach them. You don't need a university degree. Yeah, you may be crucified. But you will be in good company.
Listen, I sympathize. I too have been cast out of my tribe for nonconformity. " What happened? She used to be smart."
It sounds like you have been badly stung by your former tribe. Some of your statements are too broad.