Culture Rant

[gonzo]

Learn a trade not as a back-up to a degree but as a profession. Learning a trade also provides direction and purpose, something close to missing in the younger generations.

 

[DrEntropy]

When the fear "Computers and robots will take the jobs, we'll all be unemployed!" was first touted in the '60's, my dear drill-sergeant mother was saying humans would eventually devolve into a pile of protoplasm with a digit, to push the food button.

Trade skills would be where I'd aim any young people who might ask my opinion. Not likely to happen though. They can't speak dinosaur and don't read cursive.

 

[JPSmit]

Yesterday was showing MrsJP (who sews) the followinf article about the algorithms used to design clothes.

Opinion | Clothes Have All Started Looking the Same. Blame the Algorithm.

Fast fashion and mall brands used to look to the runways for inspiration. Now, much of their output has been run through an algorithm.

www.nytimes.com

I suspect you are right Bob but it is just another piece of the ensh*tification of our world.

Enshitification

I’ve been a long-time Cory Doctorow fan. His new book Enshitification is delicious. Yup – I understand that a Doo Doo emoji doesn’t inspire deliciousness. Now that I’m back in hib

feld.com

 

[tr6nitjulius]

As a 77+yr baby boomer recall the 1st time you earned a cap & gown was taking the walk as high school grad, seen many pics of wifey's family elementary kids with cap & gown ceremonies, then they wonder why no desire to walk & get high school diploma, you as the parent wore them out with your foolishness, like awarding trophies in a win/loose games, winner wins looser not maybe next year, saw suv cover with writing I had to read couple times to comprehend Congratulations next up Kindergarten

 

[AngliaGT]

I attended an awards ceremony at our Grandkid's school.
I was amused when they handed out awards for the Kindergarten
classes.

 

[waltesefalcon]

As a 77+yr baby boomer recall the 1st time you earned a cap & gown was taking the walk as high school grad, seen many pics of wifey's family elementary kids with cap & gown ceremonies, then they wonder why no desire to walk & get high school diploma, you as the parent wore them out with your foolishness, like awarding trophies in a win/loose games, winner wins looser not maybe next year, saw suv cover with writing I had to read couple times to comprehend Congratulations next up Kindergarten

The only reason I attended my high school graduation was my mother. The only reason I attended my graduation for my bachelor's degree was my ex wife. I did not attend graduation for either of my master's degrees. They'll mail you your degree and you don't have to sit for an hour in robes listening to sone uninspiring hack try to inspire you.

I do see your point, though, we celebrate too many of little things like they are major accomplishments.

 

[NutmegCT]

Sometimes doing things we don't want to do, to make someone (parent, friend, sibling, etc.) proud and happy, is well worth it.

TM

 

[JPSmit]

Years ago I was called upon to deliver the invocation at the local grade school - grade 8 graduation. In the midst of bemoaning the 'everyone gets a trophy' culture one of the teachers reminded me that this would be the last graduation for a significant number of these kids.

My kids grew up in a world of participation trophies and it hasn't affected their work ethic at all - and I am increasingly of the mind that - especially in these days where there seems to be little enough joy to go around - that if it makes people happy and doesn't hurt other people that it is probably OK.

 

[mikephillips]

And I think you need to be able to give them examples, including yourself, showing that torphys are ok but don't mean the future is assured. They need to work to constantly improve, expand and otherwise define their futures. And see that most of their lives won't get a trophy or real recognition by the world for what they spend their lives doing. The need to develop that internal satisfaction of a job well done.

 

[JPSmit]

I will say too that disappointment is a great teacher - and more than the trophies, that is what parents often shield their kids from (parents not kids)

 

[Basil]

This meme reminded me of this thread.