The thing is, it's not "dumbing down". You can become a brilliant mathematician, or chemist, or musician; but if you are entirely lacking of everything else (co

The thing is, it's not "dumbing down". You can become a brilliant mathematician, or chemist, or musician; but if you are entirely lacking of everything else (communication skills, resiliency, maturity, independence, happiness) you'll miss out on a lot of opportunities in life, and it'll cost you dearly. Children need to be encouraged to learn; but with the carrot, not the stick. Otherwise you're just creating broken humans for the salvation of your own ego or ideals of "success".