Vindication!
Ok, I can't say that I'm actually vindicated by this supremely entertaining article concerning the invidious (nay, pernicious) effects of constant, foundless praise. It's quite long by today's ADD-limited absorption standards, but it reads as popular science and just glides right into memory as if it cajoled you with "just the tip...."
Yes, a positive self-esteem is of paramount import, just as humility is. And yes, just like any personal characteristic of any true import (beyond lush, healthy pubic hair), you earn the motherfucker. That means failing, improving via 80's training montage, then succeeding. I'm preaching to the choir, I guess, with our mostly conservative reader base, but it's always nice to have some clever studies to cite when dealing with those steadfast on equality of outcome over equality of opportunity.
So, smear some ashes on your face, and try to be better than you've ever been. That means NOT teabagging the hapless Asian and adorable puppy. And for me, remind drunken idiots that the only reason Mardi Gras is about eager consumption is the impending period of privation. No privation, no binging sanctioned.
posted by Richard @ 5:06 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Just the tip could be the greatest game ever invented!
Richard, you're so smart at blogging!
This articles explains why I've always been such a chronic underachiever. Bah.
My method of parenting involves neither shallow self-esteem building nor encouragement to try harder, only endless verbal abuse and the occasional drunken beating. Sorry, Buddy.
Kudos Vince, a real Texas parent indeed.
Rich: good post, you're correct about the ADD and our ability to finish an article. I will post my thoughts on that when work gives me the time or my ADD allows.
But I did want to agree with your point of equality of outcome over (or vs. for some) opportunity. This type of "battle" is at the heart of my political thought right now.
Disclaimer: I hate labels.
As a Republican/Libertarian I believe rather strictly that equality of opportunity is the only way to go. While some of our more progressive or democrat friends* would site that mantra of equality for outcome, I say thee nay! This reeks of mediocrity with socialist ties, so un-American it's probably French. My libertarian leanings indicate a few things:
1) As little Gov. as possible.
2) Interference of others=usually bad. (Including other countries)
3) Personal responsibility/accountability
4) The path to prosperity is through an open and free capitalistic economy as possible.
Most of these, if not all, are dependent on equality of outcome. The chance for everyone to succeed does not guarantee we will not have equal SES status or no poverty. This means that our society/economy is rewards based and stresses personal actions. That may be personal failures, successes, growth etc...But for the state to "prop up" or subsidize individuals who do not have it equally as good as others is wrong.
(I do not use the term “liberal” as that was actually stolen by FDR in the late 20’s to create a new label for socialism. He could not refer to his big/regulatory gov. as socialism due to un-American connotations. I can however use the term new-liberal referring to left-wingers today. Many libertarians use the term “classic liberal” to refer to themselves. They also claim that that they coined the term liberal in the industrial revolution period. Classic Liberalism grew out of distaste for the mercantile economies of the time. Governments were ruled by ruling class such as the monarchy or aristocracy with little emphasis on individual or personal rights. The mercantile reference also includes such Gov. Practices as regulation, tariffs and trade protectionist policies that benefited the ruling classes more so than the small/medium sized businesses (or the individual for that matter). Classic Liberalism stressed open policies such as free trade, abolishing tariffs, and the laissez-faire paradigm of economic control that many thinkers like Friedman and Rand have espoused.
As a bit of a side note, this is also where the progressives got their start. Mainly from poor working conditions of the “common” worker and effect of the environmental damage that unregulated big business started. As you can image, things like child labor laws, minimum wage, Title XII of the 1964 Civil Rights act and FLSA laws and regulations all had their nascent from what my Mom likes to refer to “capitalism run rampant”. Funny how someone who is as distrustful of big business and large gov. can vote democrat is beyond me.
Ok I rambled I know.
alright a scientific reason to never let your kids see grandma.
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