Saturday morning rant

[Lost User]

Computafreak wrote:

Now it's worthless.

No. Qualifications such as that are never worthless. But it is true that many of the older generation look at these things through some rose tinted spectacles, and the memory also fails them when they try to recall their own schooltime experiences.

[0x3c0]

I was slightly annoyed when I wrote that, and as a result didn't communicate my thoughts properly. I meant that according to some of the stories that are published in newspapers, the A levels are so easy that a slug could pass them, and that they are by implication almost worthless. The only thing such stories have actually taught me is that some people have nothing better to do than attack the achievements of other people in order to feel better about themselves. When I was a little younger such people were called bullies, and cowards. Now it would appear that they're called journalists, and they get awards and praise, and people agree with them. If they keep on pushing, eventually those people are going to hit the point of no return. Given that the younger generations are the ones who'll eventually be choosing the care homes, that isn't really very wise.

OSDev

[1 21 Gigawatts]

Rob Philpott wrote:

Seriously, what kind of example is this to transmit to the youth of today?

I couldn't agree with you more. BB is shocking. The winner says it all, she wants to be like Jordan. And I'm sure there are many more young ladies like her - go get in a magazine showing your body off and marry someone rich. Wow, what a full, exciting, and purposeful life you live. No wonder the country is in a mess. The press in the UK pay so much attention to these numskulls than to really important matters. For instance, I find anything to do with science, engineering, outer space - fascinating. If I tell my girlfriend about something I read on t'interweb, all she says is "ohh that's soo boring". She'd rather read about Jordans toilet habbits in some gutter trash crappy mag. And I know she isn't the only one. If there's anything on the news that's related to science, its reported very poorly. They dumb it down to the point that it loses all meaning - and then, yes it becomes boring. And the schooling in the UK doesn't help either. All I remember that I learnt from school is: 1) Turn up on time 2) Sit down 3) Shut up 4) Take out reference book 5) Copy the diagram down 6) Memorise 7) Regurgitate for exam. That's it. School should teach you to think, and to explore what you find interesting - it should teach you how to learn. It shouldn't force feed you (if you catch my meaning). When I started college learning programming it taught me how to think for myself, and it opened a whole new door for me. Now I love learning anything, if I could read and study and experiment all day and night, I would. There's so much wonder and beauty out there in the world - that I don't understand - it's staggering, and a meagre lifetime of 70yrs (if I'm lucky) just isn't enough time to take all of this in. These people wishing to be like Jordan are just wasting the only opportunity they have in this world to experience what life is really all about. I really feel sorry for them, but I also wish they'd get off the f***ing TV! [/Rambling rant] I think that thread may have hit a nerve!

"...great scott!" Dilbert: Aren't all meetings like this... Richard Dawkins: "What if you're wrong?"

[1 21 Gigawatts]

Computafreak wrote:

Now it would appear that they're called journalists, and they get awards and praise, and people agree with them.

Yeah, well this has been the theme for a number of years now. I mean, this was going on when I took my exams, nearly 15 yrs ago now. It won't change, because the people writing about the exams are older than the ones sitting - and they think that it was always harder in their day. (I mean, sometimes I think they have a point. My parents, and my grandparents are much better than me at doing arithmetic in their heads. I guess mainly because throughout school I used calculators). As for whether or not the exams I sat were any harder than the ones you sat - how do I know?? How do you know? How do the journalists know? I don't know how they come up with their stats. I don't think it's a battle that will stop anytime soon. I mean, if more and more students are getting good grades, then that surely means the schools are doing a better job at preparing their pupils for the exams - not that the exams are getting easier. It's an interesting discussion.

"...great scott!" Dilbert: Aren't all meetings like this... Richard Dawkins: "What if you're wrong?"

[Rhuros]

I'm just glad its over for another year, and at least there is only one more year left for this trash to run....

[NormDroid]

3 Uk programs I refused to allow on my TV in our house. 1. Eastenders 2. X Factor 3. Big Brother

Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software

[Rhuros]

The X-Factor, another exercise in dumbing the nation down, Simon Cowell has a lot to answer for. I think it was the prime reason ITV 2 was launched to show endless re-runs of X-Factor, Britain’s got Talent, American Idol, and Americas got Talent... Read "Chart Throb" by Ben Elton is an excellent satirical look at crap like this...

[Rob Philpott]

Excellent. Sounds like it should be made law.

Regards, Rob Philpott.

[NormDroid]

I'll admit the Wife likes all the US Soaps and Thrillers: House The Guardian Ugly Betty Dexter But that's after I've gone to bed. Lost started out good, but should of ended in 12 episodes not 12 freakin seasons.

Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software

[V 0]

Rob Philpott wrote:

Seriously, what kind of example is this to transmit to the youth of today?

Sometimes the best example is how NOT to do it. (Just make clear that it really is NOT the way to do it) :-D

V.
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