The Obamas Are Making Us Smarter! Thanks Michelle & Barack for Stopping the Dumbing Down of America
Within one 18-hour period I went to a dinner party where Noel Coward and New Yorker articles were discussed and then went to a luncheon where Proust was the subject; I tried desperately to contribute but could not find the material needed so clogged is my brain with topical trivia and news factoids. Can you imagine — I was actually forced to listen and learn?
As articulate as I can be on news — basically regurgitating what I've learned from Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann (I draw the line at Lou Dobbs since all he ever talks about is immigration) — I was blown away by the dinner guests who shared anecdotes about the theater and talked about books they'd read as well as written (okay I've co-authored two gift books now translated into Portuguese) while we sat in the candlelight at the kitchen table eating paella with mussels and a fluffy pudding. All of a sudden it was midnight and no one had discussed money or Madoff once.
And as if to prove this wasn't an isolated case, I took two dear friends to lunch the next day who both shared a love of Proust and were positively ebullient that he could talk about a cookie — a Madeleine to be exact — for forty pages. Once again I was out of my element trying to remember any funny story I could recall about a Fig Newton or Oreo.
For eight years now we've discussed Iraq and economic meltdowns, Bernie Madoff and everyone's pre- and post-net worth, waterboarding and climate warming. During that time, I've read Oprah's book club selections and watched everything with an NBC as a suffix. I've fed my brain with every ticker symbol and tracked LIBOR ratings as they rose and fell.
Taking our cues from the top and listening to a President hard-pressed to get a sentence out without a goof, I believe we got lazy. There was no need to stretch our brains and read the classics again or push ourselves to do anything but stay glued to the news — after all if he wasn't too bright and we were economically fat and happy, why bother but I always got the feeling I needed to know every detail just in case he needed my help in making a decision.
And then the change began; I actually went out and bought Team of Rivals knowing Obama read and valued what he'd learned from the book. Okay so it's not beach reading but I know it's good for me even if the pages get wet and I seem to have to re-read each one a few times. For the first time in ages, I've felt the need to feed that Sahara brain of mine with the equivalent of intellectual vitamins and historical pro-biotics.
We have a very smart first family and I don't want to be left behind. Maybe I don't have to be involved in every last news item because someone I respect is now running the show and he doesn't need my help.
My short term goal is to make it through a day without checking the Dow Jones. My long term goal — to finish "Team of Rivals" while the President is still in office.
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In my kids' high school, most of those chosen by their peers for the Homecoming court were in the top of the class.
does anyone care about the public libraries in this country? public libraries funds are being drastically reduced. public libraries doors are closing. when will bloggers, news personalities or politicians begin to talk about this? public libraries serve not just the poor, but families, young children, teens, and elderly. public libraries are bridging the digital divide. public libraries provide ged classes, english classes, computer classes, and much much more. public libraries are safe havens for the young and the old. did your elementary school, middle school or high school have a school library? well in brooklyn many public schools do not(this is a crime in itself). public libraries are where these students go. does anyone care about public libraries? i guess all you bloggers, news personalities and politicians must have a kindle.
Thank you for your support! I'm a public librarian and libraries really are a social barometer. We're trying to do more with so much less now. And it's not as if we get huge increases when the economy is flush.
True true. Now can we get rid of "Perez Hilton" and TMZ? Can the media make a pact not to cover "Octomom" anymore?
Lets get over it for once. We have a new chance for new times. Lets not f it up with Bushy commentary.
I don't think having the Obamas in the White House has made us smarter; rather it has made it "acceptable" to be smart. Anti-intellectualism and rampant lack of academic freedom was indicative of the Bush Era. Having an administration that actively embraces science, academia, intellectualism, etc. has allowed for the literati to come out into the open. I think that after eight years of stagnation innovation will now thrive.
I'm surprised at how many kids in high school are now saying they want to be a scientist or engineer and/or teacher. They don't care about race issues or who is gay or straight either. If we can just get through the backwash of the Bush era we might be able to make it to a new day.
It's so great that they are able to be upfront and acknowledge what they like to do and want to be. They will only be more "successful" and happier for it.
Yup I noticed it too. Not once has O resorted to a made up word, that itself is an accomplishment over the last presidential administration.
Oh, I hope you are right! I am appalled at the number of college students who feel that reading, other than to pass an exam, is a waste of time. Of course there are many exceptions but if a person wasn't encouraged to read early in his or her education, they seem to consider it a waste of their time. I am of the opinion that the cell phone, the texting craze and the vanity mirror on the passenger side of the car (my bias is showing) have contributed to the inarticulateness (is that a word?) of many of our students and, I regret to say, adults. So, I hope you are correct in that the Obamas are contributing to the growth of reading in this country. People who don't read just are not comfortable with the language and "it is language that separates us from the animals. It places us above them when used correctly or beneath them when abused." I have always like that comment. Have a good week everyone.
Enjoy a video of the first couple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw5eFCVEU58
Awesome!Thanks
I'm going to have to expand my horizons beyond Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, too. Obama makes me want to stop being a slacker.
That is one tremendous article. I'd like to humbly add that Americans were absolutely fed up. At least the ones who thought that the previous Admin was just DEPLORABLE. I agree Crissy, we just began to pay attention. Why? Years of complacency and FEAR left us paralyzed.
In that one small moment, Americans saw something more than superficial political volley. The back and forth meant nothing. We saw that the smartest, most progressive person, with the most logical and INTELLIGENTLY FORCEFUL personality could be chosen for POTUS.
We also learned that no matter who is in the chair o' power, we have to pay attention. Ask questions. Demand answers. He is the 1st true extension of what the people demand, to come along in a long time.
The difference is that the man in that chair isn't afraid to answer. Or Admit error. Maybe, just maybe, he can make politics TRANSPARENT. Who else could we have chosen to do such?
Perhaps, "WE are the change that WE have been waiting for." Man, just typing that gives me CHILLS.
I agree, but for an opposite reason. My friends and I are definitely reading more and researching more , because we feel we have to defend the President and that he needs our help. Our discussion is no longer focused on guys, partying, traveling and who did what and said what about us and others.
We are reading on how our govt. is supposed to work; what role the executive branch plays, we're revisiting our Political Science. What powers fall under the Treasury dept. and the Federal Reserve.
We are reading about other presidents, PO mentioned and others compare PO to. These are exciting and interesting times for many who never gave a thought to our govt and how it's supposed to work.
Suddenly I have an interest in studying treaties and wars and the life of our former Presidents.I am even thinking of taking microeconomics again, voluntarily :)
OK, if you are right, reality tv is dead, and we will all spend our evenings reading the classics, or at least literary fiction. Nah, I haven't noticed that I, or anyone around me, is any more intellectual these past 90 days or so. And the Kardashians seem to be doing fine. Of course, in the rust belt, we have some more basic concerns at the moment. Most people I know are highly educated and interesting, but are busy using their wits to help their families and communities bounce back in the next year or two. We'll catch up with you at the library later.
Re: The Dumbing Down Of America
What we call "No Child Left Behind" is not totally a Bush creation(though Mr. Bush did wreck the education system in Texas) No Child Left Behind actually started in Chicago public schools under former Schoold "CEO" Paul Vallas.
Arne Duncan is a product of this system, and generally a supporter, though of a modified version.
I just received this - pass it on:
MSNBC has a poll up about the President's job in his first 100 days. Republicans are flooding it with F-votes and "winning."
As of now the Republicans are casting ballots in this poll and the Grade "F" is at 45% -- and we KNOW this is not reflective of the country!!
Please forward this e-mail to all those that you can...our President needs our help. His 100 day mark is approaching fast, so make your vote count ... AGAIN !! :)
PLEASE VOTE, and pass it on! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493093/
Oh, please. Unless a poll's vetted by Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com, I couldn't care less what it says.
Voted on every browser I have. I tend to trust the Pew poll more.
Please take a minute to get involved
I agree. To give him an F is just plain biased and thoughtless. The Obama's are bringing "smart" back. It must un-nerve them.
The Bush Era attempted to teach Americans that:
1) Creationism can replace science in public schools.
2) Climate change is a myth conjured up by left-wing extremists so they could spend more money and continue to brainwash Americans with more scientific nonsense.
3) Scientific research is a waste of money. Cancer is more of an act of God than an act of genetics or biology so further research isn't necessary.
4) War is absolutely necessary. In fact, we have to prove that we're #1 in order to scare terrorists away (or dip into the Middle East's rich oil reserves, but we can use terrorism as the excuse) . There is no limit to the amount of money and resources (even human lives) we invest in war.
5) Abortion is murder. Stem cell research is unethical. However, capital punishment, torture, and war are honorable and justifable.
6) Tax cuts are the surest way to save an ailing economy. Never mind what the liberal Dems say. It's best to start at the top, giving the richest of the rich large tax breaks and then wait for the generous elite to open their wallets and let the money flow down.
7) Liberals are evil socialists. Capitalism is the solution.
8) Illegal immigrants are the problem with America. Illegals are why hardworking Americans are losing their jobs.
9) There should be 100% gun tolerance. If all the dec.eased victims of gun violence had a gun to begin with, they would still be alive.
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