Comments on: He Who Knows Not…

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:38:07 +0000

I am also a boomer and an educator. I have been constantly frustrated with the continual dumbing down of young minds by our educational system in general. However, this is only one facet of the way our culture has systematically created people who want every need met without too much effort on their part, people who hunger for truth but often avoid the path named HONEST SEARCH, people who have far too many material things…and perhaps have been protected way too much from suffering the personal consequences of their own actions.

My own recourse now is to pray for them like crazy!
I am certain that God has plans already made.

By: Patricia Gonzalez

Patricia Gonzalez — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:44:16 +0000

I’m a boomer, and I have to tell you that there are some of us who didn’t have it easy all the time, and grew up to be by and large responsible folks. That said, I completely understand your article. At the moment, I’m involved in a local theatre group which is presenting COle Porter’s “Anything Goes” (final performances this weekend). For the past six months, we’ve been rehearsing this production, and I’ve seen this sort of mindset in action, not only among the younger cast members, but in their parents. I’m 61, and the differences between me and the 30 or 40-somethings (and their kids) have made me feel like an old fogey. I’m just the rehearsal pianist, thank God, not a director, but I honestly don’t know how our artistic director has kept his sanity. (I was praying for him, perhaps that’s helped). The lack of common civility, the constant chatter during rehearsals, the absenteeism, and the hissy fits and diva-like behaviour have been something to see — not a pretty sight. The whole range of behaviours described in your post were on display…. a real soap opera! Sorry for the length of this, but it’s been rough going — the pleasure of performing such great music was pretty diluted by all the b.s. that went on. Thank God, we close tomorrow night!

By: Misti

Misti — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:45:18 +0000

“for everyone of [those who have an intense desire for learning] there are others who believe that all learning should be easy, entertaining, and an opportunity to emote with what they “think” (read feel) about that with which they are presented.”

So true…so sadly, sadly true — in virtually every endeavor.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:50:19 +0000

Thank God! I thought it was just me. Whenever I try to reiterate the precepts of Church to my college educated children I am shown their gratitude with a resounding, “You are being judgemental”. I thought I was just being a parent with concern for their immortal souls. And to think I paid hard earned money to an institute of higher learning so that they could learn to say, “Whatever!”

By: David

David — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:08:40 +0000

Kris,

Thank you for sharing such profound insights you have gained from your self-reflection. With more parents like you, perhaps the springtime is not that far off.

By: kris

kris — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:38:53 +0000

I loved this post. I am a gen x er myself. I have a college degree but it is meaningless. I was not ready to learn then. I had too many open wounds to heal in combination with far too much pride. I think this is what is at the root of the problem with the younger genereations (30 and 20 somethings). What we need is healing and humility in large doses.
It has only been in the past 5 or 6 years that I’ve become ready and willing to learn. I am now have a true thirst for knowledge. I see the effects of fallen human nature in myself and my kids when our first impulse towards correction is hurt. To get around this I tell myself not to hurt but to be humble and absorb the lesson and be grateful. I tell my children to accept correction properly. They are NOT allowed to say “so” or “whatever” when somebody corrects them, whether it’s a parent a sibling or another. I tell them to listen carefully to the correction and say “thank you” instead. It is amazing how just training yourself to say “thank you” upon correction can open you to learning instead of building up a wall of pain and pride!
Maybe these students simply need to learn that lesson - say thank you when you’re corrected…eventually it’ll sink in.