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It's because the average American doesn't value education like they once use to. American's IMO value entertainment far more. We're living in a time when infor

by jays 7y ago

It's because the average American doesn't value education like they once use to. American's IMO value entertainment far more. We're living in a time when information and the ability to gain skills is easier than ever. Google, YouTube, Public Libraries, etc. It's all there, available for anyone. But American's have it in the their mind that the only way to gain skills is by going to a school and sitting in a classroom. Perhaps, the institution is to blame for that? Until Americans start realizing that education and being a lifetime learner is one of the most critical aspects of an economy, I'm afraid we won't see much in terms of improvements.

dominotw 7y ago
> American's IMO value entertainment far more. is there a country where this ins't true?
- anthonypasq 7y ago
  Obviously not. But gotta reinforce the fat and lazy American stereotype
  - jays 7y ago
    I'd actually hate to reinforce that stereotype. Certainly not my intent, but I can see how what I wrote certainly could paint that picture. I'll do better next time to clarify my thoughts and learn from this. Our entertainment options are crazy addictive today compared to the past. Our standard of living has also increased significantly post-WWII. If we do in fact value entertainment over education, it's not a knock on our society. We're just comfortable. When you get comfortable while being a dominate superpower, it's only a matter of time that another country will take your place.
LeftHandPath 7y ago
There's a mix of both. There are hardworking Americans - usually first- and second-generation immigrants and the older, wealthier families - that value education and hard work. And then there is the middle class, who was raised on entertainment, music, and media that romanticized apathy and disdain for education and the workplace. And there is the lower class, which has enough of its own struggles that I don't want to try to summarize their problems in just a sentence or two. Either way, I do think that platforms like YouTube and Instagram give lots of influence to entrepreneurs - enough that Shark Tank started labeling some contestants as 'wanntrepreneurs' (wannabes) - and that the perceived value of self-driven diligence and the desire for intellect might become popular again. Actually, I think they already are starting to be popular again, especially among younger people. > But American's have it in the their mind that the only way to gain skills is by going to a school and sitting in a classroom. Ivory towers will come crumbling down in time.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- jays 7y ago
  > and that the perceived value of self-driven diligence and the desire for intellect might become popular again. Actually, I think they already are starting to be popular again, especially among younger people. I hope you're right :) Good points overall. > Ivory towers will come crumbling down in time. No doubt. We can't continue on the path we're currently on. It's not sustainable.
40acres 7y ago
I think this is totally wrong. Americans of all levels highly value education. Babies are put on wait list for daycare as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Parents have had their kids move in with distant relatives to be qualified for a better school district. Kids were driven dozens of miles away in the early dawn hours to get equal education. Students are eye deep in debt. Talk to any newly arrived immigrant with kids and they will talk about how education for their kids was a key driver in the move. These meme has got to stop. Americans value education but our system is failing us in many ways.
- jays 7y ago
  Of course they value it. There is no argument there. I feel the culture and average person just doesn't value it at the same level they once did. My wife is a math teacher now for 15 years (Middle school & High School). The attitudes of kids in just that time span have changed significantly. There is more emphasis by students and parents for their child to pushed to the next grade level with less effort. Teachers are put in the hot seat for kids not doing their homework or getting extra help. Both are the students responsibility. Students come to school extremely tired, which they admit is due to various hours of entertainment media consumption and staying up late. There has been study after study showing that students are spending more time on their screens, looking at various forms of entertainment media. How can we blame them? It's addicting. You're probably right, the system has failed them. I'm not sure how it gets fixed, but I feel strongly that people can't depend on just getting educated by institutions alone. There are other avenues that we should be promoting.
- tenebrisalietum 7y ago
  Americans value the credential of education, as it's a gatekeeper to jobs; not necessary the actual education behind it.
magduf 7y ago
>It's because the average American doesn't value education like they once use to. American's IMO value entertainment far more. This isn't quite true. You're claiming that America used to value education, and this part isn't true at all. America has long been considered an anti-intellectual country. Various thinkers made fun of the country in this way a century ago. There's a famous quote, normally attributed to H.L. Mencken (though it's not sure that he said it): "nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people".

by jays 7y ago

dominotw 7y ago

> American's IMO value entertainment far more. is there a country where this ins't true?

anthonypasq 7y ago
Obviously not. But gotta reinforce the fat and lazy American stereotype
- jays 7y ago
  I'd actually hate to reinforce that stereotype. Certainly not my intent, but I can see how what I wrote certainly could paint that picture. I'll do better next time to clarify my thoughts and learn from this. Our entertainment options are crazy addictive today compared to the past. Our standard of living has also increased significantly post-WWII. If we do in fact value entertainment over education, it's not a knock on our society. We're just comfortable. When you get comfortable while being a dominate superpower, it's only a matter of time that another country will take your place.

LeftHandPath 7y ago

There's a mix of both. There are hardworking Americans - usually first- and second-generation immigrants and the older, wealthier families - that value education and hard work. And then there is the middle class, who was raised on entertainment, music, and media that romanticized apathy and disdain for education and the workplace. And there is the lower class, which has enough of its own struggles that I don't want to try to summarize their problems in just a sentence or two. Either way, I do think that platforms like YouTube and Instagram give lots of influence to entrepreneurs - enough that Shark Tank started labeling some contestants as 'wanntrepreneurs' (wannabes) - and that the perceived value of self-driven diligence and the desire for intellect might become popular again. Actually, I think they already are starting to be popular again, especially among younger people. > But American's have it in the their mind that the only way to gain skills is by going to a school and sitting in a classroom. Ivory towers will come crumbling down in time.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
jays 7y ago
> and that the perceived value of self-driven diligence and the desire for intellect might become popular again. Actually, I think they already are starting to be popular again, especially among younger people. I hope you're right :) Good points overall. > Ivory towers will come crumbling down in time. No doubt. We can't continue on the path we're currently on. It's not sustainable.

40acres 7y ago

I think this is totally wrong. Americans of all levels highly value education. Babies are put on wait list for daycare as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Parents have had their kids move in with distant relatives to be qualified for a better school district. Kids were driven dozens of miles away in the early dawn hours to get equal education. Students are eye deep in debt. Talk to any newly arrived immigrant with kids and they will talk about how education for their kids was a key driver in the move. These meme has got to stop. Americans value education but our system is failing us in many ways.

jays 7y ago
Of course they value it. There is no argument there. I feel the culture and average person just doesn't value it at the same level they once did. My wife is a math teacher now for 15 years (Middle school & High School). The attitudes of kids in just that time span have changed significantly. There is more emphasis by students and parents for their child to pushed to the next grade level with less effort. Teachers are put in the hot seat for kids not doing their homework or getting extra help. Both are the students responsibility. Students come to school extremely tired, which they admit is due to various hours of entertainment media consumption and staying up late. There has been study after study showing that students are spending more time on their screens, looking at various forms of entertainment media. How can we blame them? It's addicting. You're probably right, the system has failed them. I'm not sure how it gets fixed, but I feel strongly that people can't depend on just getting educated by institutions alone. There are other avenues that we should be promoting.
tenebrisalietum 7y ago
Americans value the credential of education, as it's a gatekeeper to jobs; not necessary the actual education behind it.

magduf 7y ago

>It's because the average American doesn't value education like they once use to. American's IMO value entertainment far more. This isn't quite true. You're claiming that America used to value education, and this part isn't true at all. America has long been considered an anti-intellectual country. Various thinkers made fun of the country in this way a century ago. There's a famous quote, normally attributed to H.L. Mencken (though it's not sure that he said it): "nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people".