Alvin Toffler

[FN FAL]

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."

What did you "unlearn" today?

 

[sqwkvfr]

I "unlearned" that many college graduates are more edumacated than the high school graduates of times past, despite record spending on education. Apparently $750 billion per year is not enough?

Unfortunatly, I think your man was wrong....the illiterate are still those who can't read and write.

I also "unlearned" that Richie Sexson couldn't hit a 503 foot home run (bounced it off the jumbotron setting a new park record) in Bank One Ballpark and Randy Johnson couldn't pitch a stellar game leading to a 9-0 Diamondbacks win over the Cubbies. It's been a good night!

 

[FN FAL]

Unfortunatly, I think your man was wrong....the illiterate are still those who can't read and write.

Interesting reply over all... ...however your particular comment above reminds me of the line in "caddy shack", where the Country Club CEO says, "Well, the world still needs ditch diggers!".

 

[Timebuilder]

While the world still needs "ditch diggers" (most of which is done by excavators now) the difference is that the uneducated have become role models, in sports and entertainment areas most prominently.

I met Toffler in 1971 when he held an informal talk in my dorm building (an old hotel) at New York University. He was really doing in-person promotion of Future Shock. He has a lot of interesting ideas, some of which have borne fruit as technology moves ahead exponentially, while our minds and spirit have never previously been tasked at these increased rates. I may have to go back and re-read that book.

To overcome illiteracy, it must become hip. Right now, money and appearance are the only popular icons of success, and these are no longer tempered by a consistent framework of morality. Now, students willingly cheat to compete, instead of seeking to actually do their best on a basis of genuine achievement. They see no moral imperative to argue against this, as long as they reach their goals of conspicuous consumption, beauty, wealth, and personal anarchy. Why actually learn something if you can cheat, fool, and steal your way to happpiness? Pop culture has replaced the family as the singular guiding force in the lives of a high percentage of young people.

 

[Snakum]

TimeBuilder nailed that one.

I know I'll be labelled a 'racist' for saying this, but this is no more evident than in the inner city minority population. I've listened to two different programs on NPR wherein callers (often teachers or cousellors) openly discussed that fact that role models for minorities are usually sports and entertainment stars and that this is seen as the only way 'up and out', as opposed to working hard and taking advantage of the free edumacation that is available here in the US. Hell ... if they're saying things like this on unashamedly Far Left-wing bent radio like NPR ... maybe someone is waking up. There were even minority student callers who said they'd been physically assaulted for making getting an edumacation their first priority. Accused of "trying to be white" if they did their homework, paid attention, and showed up every day.

I'm sure MLK, Medgar Evers, and Malcomb Little are rolling over in their graves at what America's minority youth have done with the freedom these men died for.

Minh
(I was married to a black woman, and I've lived with Asians most of my adult life ... so don't call me a racist. )

 

[Timebuilder]

You know, I've been told several times that my often used referece to "acting white" was something I had made up as an evil racist republican.

The fact is, there is a great deal of entanglement in the idea of a "black identity" with not following the real thrust of the work of Dr. King, and instead buying into a victim mentality of institutional racial preferences, special programs, and a rejection of moral behavior.

Successful black Americans have to divorce themselves from the mainstream political and social posturing that has enabled this self destructive culture, and take the lead in establishing new ideas where success, lawfulness, morality, and educational development are seen as essentials in the black experience.

Then, I won't see an endless procession of wasted lives as brothers fill up prison after prison. The girl I wanted to marry was murdered by a black employee where she worked, over the day's receipts of $1200. He is as much a victim of the lack of leadership in the black community as she was a victim of his crime.

It was 11 years ago, tomorrow. Her name was Tina. She was only 28.

I hope that blacks in America will help to reclaim their communities, and lead.

 

[mar]

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

He is as much a victim of the lack of leadership in the black community as she was a victim of his crime.

But what happened to the idea of independent self reliance?Responsibility and accountability? Standing up to be judged for your actions?

Timebuilder, I'm beginning to think the old liberal is showing through. C'mon, man, you can't fool me. And a leopard can't change his spots.

Why don't you just lay off the Republican BS and admit you're a bleeding heart.

Gotcha.

 

[Timebuilder]

Re: I'm truly sorry for your loss.

But what happened to the idea of independent self reliance?Responsibility and accountability? Standing up to be judged for your actions?

Timebuilder, I'm beginning to think the old liberal is showing through. C'mon, man, you can't fool me. And a leopard can't change his spots.

Why don't you just lay off the Republican BS and admit you're a bleeding heart.

Gotcha.

Independent responsibility is being served, in a life sentence up in Coal Township, Pa. The mostly black jury was unwilling to give him death. Thankfully, a life sentence in PA really IS a life sentence. None of the twenty years and paroled nonsense.

No, he was victimized by the political aspirations of other so-called "black leaders" who failed to push for the kind of respect for study and accomplishment that we see in other minority communities. Hard work and role models might have led him away from the kind of mindset that allows you to almost sever a friend's head with a piece of hacksaw blade over a few hundred dollars, owed for drug purchases.

His responsibility is NOT relieved by the failure of black leaders. He IS still a victim of their neglect and avarice.

I still would have thrown the switch, if asked to do so.

 

[Xfr8dog]

Hi TB:

Sorry about your loss. There is a lot of that here on Earth, and I'm glad I haven't had to go through something severely traumatic like you did.

God bless.

Cliff
DTW

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks.

When I think about those two cars over in the "first car" thread, the Rabbit and the Supra, I can still see her sitting next to me. I can still see her eyes...

If you asked me thirty years ago if there was evil in the world, I would have suggested that the only evil was our lack of caring for others. Now, I understand that it goes far beyond we pitiful humans, and that we can be tools of evil, if we are not careful. Tools that were used like the 19 hijackers were used. Like a pedophile priest was used. Like Tina's coworker.

We have to be careful, or we may become accomplices of evil. It's a lesson. One of many.

 

[340drvr]

Wow, Toffler and Future Shock, it's all coming back to me, dimly through a paisley fog. You guys are dating yourselves! Anybody remember "Fat Freddy's Cat?"

 

[Timebuilder]

You must mean in The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers.

 

[FN FAL]

I think I may have missed out on my chance to get my Freak Brothers number...they be getting to old and too far in between to find to skydive with...

http://www.freak-brother.com/pictures.html