dagwave Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I was losing to my son the other day in Scrabble. I couldn't believe it. We were playing on our phones. The game had an "Invalid Word" message, meaning no penalty, and unlimited license to "create words". got me to thinking, i mean, fast food joints have trained us to get our own drinks and clear the table...... not to mention: no child left behindautomatic parking/ driving?velcro (originally created for special needs folks)thesaurus' Auto-Tune?? I just might be getting stupid by the sheer virtue of typing this.... other examples?? i Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 i do not think velcro implies that those who use it are "dumbed down" some people have physical disabilities that make it hard for them to tie their own shoes. i sort of take offense to this post, because for one, i had to use velcro shoes until the age of 12 (when i was able to gain more stable motor function of my right hand). i couldn't tie my shoes, not because i was any less intelligent than my 6th grade peers, but because i was physically unable to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Velcro was originally created as a replacement for zippers and other fasteners, and was popularized by NASA. It didn't have anything to do with "special needs folks." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Agree about the velcro (of course with exceptions). Just try to find a pair of girls' Mary Janes with real buckles these days... even for older girls! They're all velcro now. As if to imply kids don't need to learn how to tie, buckle, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 what does thesaurus' mean? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Something that belongs to two guys both named Thesauru. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Apostroph-owned! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dagwave Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 i do not think velcro implies that those who use it are "dumbed down" some people have physical disabilities that make it hard for them to tie their own shoes. i sort of take offense to this post, because for one, i had to use velcro shoes until the age of 12 (when i was able to gain more stable motor function of my right hand). i couldn't tie my shoes, not because i was any less intelligent than my 6th grade peers, but because i was physically unable to. I understand. My intent was in no way malicious or mean spirited and I sincerely apologize if it was taken as such. My point was that something that had actual practical, specific value was adapted by society in general. Speaking of dumbed down, I lifted this from Wikipedia: Velcro is used in adaptive clothing, which is clothing designed for people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and the infirm who may experience difficulty dressing themselves due to an inability to manipulate closures, such as buttons and zippers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 That sounds like a great use of its actual practical value. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Yeah I don't really get how it's "dumbing down" to use an existing product to make everyday tasks manageable for the handicapped. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Queen Amaranthine Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I could go on and ON about the idea of society dumbing down. I need to curb the length of my commentary! In short, in some ways I agree and others I don't. For the record, I don't see velcro as a problem, but rather as an efficient use of materials. Digital devices have changed so much about our society and our individual thought process, for better and worse. We are all so overwhelmed with choices and demands on our time. It shortens our attention spans. I notice this in myself and other adults, not just kids. I don't know if it's diluting our intellect as much as it is overwhelming us. No Child Left Behind...I know a number of educators and all are frustrated with it. The goal of boosting reading ability/literacy is a noble goal! However, there are so many factors inside and especially outside school that affect that. I'm a firm believer that parents need to be involved in their kids' education by reading to them, helping with homework, etc., but now there is a movement in some states to ban homework!? The test score and data collection parts of NCLB are part of educators' frustration, but, data does need to be collected and tracked in an attempt to see patterns and comparisons. What might be needed next is more examination of why the data is what it is. Anecdotal evidence (success stories, failures) alone doesn't tell the whole story either, although it is part of the overall piece. Education/academia is its own animal, just as medicine and business are, and probably other fields too. It's funny when I hear business-oriented people scoff at what goes on in education or the medical field as not being in the "real world," but they are completely different entities and can't function like businesses. Students and ill patients aren't commodities that can be adjusted and repackaged to be made pretty, nor can they be scrapped for plans to improve the system. That's enough rambling; I need to stop now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I never thought of velcro as "dumbing down" society. That's just weird. Making things easier or more convenient doesn't mean something has been "dumbed down." However, I have become increasingly annoyed by the general public's inability to spell or use correct grammar, which is why I pointed out the original poster's mistake on the plural form of thesaurus. When did using apostrophes to make words plural become such a prevalent practice? Why is spelling no longer an important skill to possess? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I never thought of velcro as "dumbing down" society. That's just weird. Making things easier or more convenient doesn't mean something has been "dumbed down." However, I have become increasingly annoyed by the general public's inability to spell or use correct grammar, which is why I pointed out the original poster's mistake on the plural form of thesaurus. When did using apostrophes to make words plural become such a prevalent practice? Why is spelling no longer an important skill to possess? Don't even get me started on this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Don't even get me started on this. It really bugs the crap out of me. My wife and I went to a really nice wedding recently where Handel's name was misspelled in the program (Handle) and the possessive of the bride's last name was screwed up (last name of Rogers..."a Roger's family tradition" *). I couldn't focus on anything else. *Name changed to protect the guilty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dagwave Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 I'm guessing shakespeare and rebilic are proud owners of velcro wallets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 The game had an "Invalid Word" message, meaning no penalty, and unlimited license to "create words". I don't understand this sentence. Could you dumb it down for me? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Speaking of dumbed down, I lifted this from Wikipedia:Ah, the irony.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 No Child Left Behind...I know a number of educators and all are frustrated with it. The goal of boosting reading ability/literacy is a noble goal! However, there are so many factors inside and especially outside school that affect that. I'm a firm believer that parents need to be involved in their kids' education by reading to them, helping with homework, etc., but now there is a movement in some states to ban homework!? The test score and data collection parts of NCLB are part of educators' frustration, but, data does need to be collected and tracked in an attempt to see patterns and comparisons. What might be needed next is more examination of why the data is what it is. Anecdotal evidence (success stories, failures) alone doesn't tell the whole story either, although it is part of the overall piece. Speaking for myself, of course, the data and the collection of the data isn't a problem. The main problem is that the data (the state standardized tests under NCLB mandate) is the sole focus of determining if a student, teacher, and school are "successful." There is no body of evidence or cumulative data: it's a one-shot deal that is, imo, myopic and misguided. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Don't let your kids be pussies and everything will be fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Speaking for myself, of course, the data and the collection of the data isn't a problem. The main problem is that the data (the state standardized tests under NCLB mandate) is the sole focus of determining if a student, teacher, and school are "successful." There is no body of evidence or cumulative data: it's a one-shot deal that is, imo, myopic and misguided.Not to turn this thread into an NCLB rant, but another problem is that every year, you're measuring a new group of kids. If this year's 8th graders did better than last year's, your school did well. The really important question (by measures starting with, but not limited to standardized tests), is how much the 8th graders you tested last year grew into 9th grade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Not to turn this thread into an NCLB rant, but another problem is that every year, you're measuring a new group of kids. If this year's 8th graders did better than last year's, your school did well. The really important question (by measures starting with, but not limited to standardized tests), is how much the 8th graders you tested last year grew into 9th grade. The problem is accountability for schools and an accurate and reasonable standard by which to measure results. The vast majority of parents have absolutely no option beyond public schools (monetarily and opportunity). Every other industry has a series of criteria by which they are judged to be successful or unsuccessful, and there are few industries that are as essential to our society as the public education system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 The game had an "Invalid Word" message, meaning no penalty, and unlimited license to "create words".I don't understand this sentence. Could you dumb it down for me? Does anyone know what dagwave means? I read it as the game stops one from using 'invalid' words, but at the same time allows one to 'create' words. Don't those two things cancel each other out? Also, what the fuck is up with the MultiQuote feature. Jesus, you gotta build an ark to quote two posts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Does anyone know what dagwave means? I read it as the game stops one from using 'invalid' words, but at the same time allows one to 'create' words. Don't those two things cancel each other out? Also, what the fuck is up with the MultiQuote feature. Jesus, you gotta build an ark to quote two posts. The way I understood it is that if you try to create a word that does not exist, it gives you an "invalid word" message and lets you try again to come up with a real word. Thus, no penalty or challenge, just the opportunity to make up words until you find a good one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 The problem is accountability for schools and an accurate and reasonable standard by which to measure results. The vast majority of parents have absolutely no option beyond public schools (monetarily and opportunity). Every other industry has a series of criteria by which they are judged to be successful or unsuccessful, and there are few industries that are as essential to our society as the public education system.AThere needs to be accountability for parents, as well. There are a lot more options today for parents/students than there were 10 years ago, too, with innovative status schools and charter schools (both non fee-based). Nothing wrong with having criteria to gauge a school's effectiveness, just don't put the onus on one series of tests. Hold parents accountable for getting their kids to school and devoting some time to the school through interaction and participation, look at a body of evidence for the students rather than one test, allow teachers varied ways to be assesssed (this is happening in Denver), etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 The way I understood it is that if you try to create a word that does not exist, it gives you an "invalid word" message and lets you try again to come up with a real word. Thus, no penalty or challenge, just the opportunity to make up words until you find a good one. I see now, thanks.Must be all that velcro I've used in my life, making me too dumb to get that at first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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