We are unlearning history ... kind of a -DUH-, so what were you expecting, a brighter future thru entertainment?
http://www.pjtv.com/s/GMZTCMJS

enlightenment or entertainment, make the choice early in life.

"The man who has no sense of history, is like a man who has no ears or eyes"
― Adolf Hitler

"By the skillful and sustained use of propaganda, one can make a people see even heaven as hell or an extremely wretched life as paradise."
― Adolf Hitler

"He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future."
― Adolf Hitler

This is why we don't have a TV (but, we will watch videos, via computer & projector).
IMO, TV is time waster, and the commercials just breed envy and contempt.   
As in "Stuff you never new you needed...", brought to you through slick advertising that appeals to your vanity.

We been watching pre-WW2 history stuff, because I want my kids to understand how rational people can be persuaded to agree with monsters, and ignore the obvious (Hitler was an anti-Semite, for starters).   

I don't know if it's universal in human nature or not - it seems like the same stuff keeps being repeated, over and over, out of the mouths of these politicians - and a heck of a lot of people just eat it right up!   It isn't far fetched, listen to the similarities between the leading presidential candidates and Hitler's speeches.   National Pride, return America/Germany to it's greatness, Deport the illegals/Jews...  all amoral.

I hope my kids take the time to look past the flowery words, to the real issues & proposed solutions before they vote.

I was just reading where only half of Washington state students passed the new common core tests in language arts, and even less passed the math. 

Quote from: Dori on August 18, 2015, 05:30:12 PM
I was just reading where only half of Washington state students passed the new common core tests in language arts, and even less passed the math.

I think half did not even take the test.  So the half that took the test don't look good at all.  I was reading some colleges were not using test for entering college now.   

Ya got to love affirmative actions.    

I wish I could review my Scholastic Aptitude Test from whatever year it was.  All I know is I passed.  But I forgot what my score was and I can't remember anything on the test. 

I'm not even sure if we had to use a No.2-pencil, or a No.4 with heavier graphite.

It took place on a Saturday, which sucked. 

There's no tradition for Common Core testing.  No older sibling can warn you about pitfalls.  No tradition, no self-satisfaction upon passing. 

Quote from: kj4adn on August 18, 2015, 05:14:31 PM
This is why we don't have a TV (but, we will watch videos, via computer & projector).
IMO, TV is time waster, and the commercials just breed envy and contempt.   
As in "Stuff you never new you needed...", brought to you through slick advertising that appeals to your vanity.

We been watching pre-WW2 history stuff, because I want my kids to understand how rational people can be persuaded to agree with monsters, and ignore the obvious (Hitler was an anti-Semite, for starters).   

I don't know if it's universal in human nature or not - it seems like the same stuff keeps being repeated, over and over, out of the mouths of these politicians - and a heck of a lot of people just eat it right up!   It isn't far fetched, listen to the similarities between the leading presidential candidates and Hitler's speeches.   National Pride, return America/Germany to it's greatness, Deport the illegals/Jews...  all amoral.

I hope my kids take the time to look past the flowery words, to the real issues & proposed solutions before they vote.

I assure you it IS in human nature.  It is called our "sin nature" which we all inherited from Adam. 

It is just a matter of degree..... Hitler was just one of the most virulent sinners among us.

On another subject, we raised our family without a TV also.  Terrific decision.  They are avid readers.

Welcome to the forum!

Quote from: kroz on August 20, 2015, 12:42:53 PM
I assure you it IS in human nature.  It is called our "sin nature" which we all inherited from Adam. 

It is just a matter of degree..... Hitler was just one of the most virulent sinners among us.

On another subject, we raised our family without a TV also.  Terrific decision.  They are avid readers.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the welcome.  We also home-school, since the last century (LOL), and the latest CAT test showed son-3 in 98% across the board  - which is a rarity!  Usually the kids do well in a few areas, and OK in others, but always above 85%.
We were practically disowned when we made the decision to home-school, +20 yrs ago, now the family wants us christened for sainthood or something...

----------------

I just read an article on the destruction of ancient artifacts by ISIS. 
It was one of those ah-ha moments of mine, 'there is no past, nor is there a future, just obedience in the present'.

While I have no love of corrupt cultures of olden days, shouldn't we KEEP some THINGS reminders as a warning to future generations?  It would appear the goal is to completely isolate the public from the ability to *think* for themselves.  Before WW1, the elites & ruling classes kept the rest of the people in check through ignorance.

In the 1980's a fine Canadian gentleman friend of my family said, "We are headed for an information war.  Not so much the haves and havenots, but so much information it will be impossible to sort through it."   I'll add to that, "and people will give up, by turning to entertainment, becoming incapable of making rational decisions."   When we get asked why there is no TV in the house, the answer is "99% of the stuff on TV has absolutely no effect on your life, whatsoever - therefore, it is a time waster."  The orientation of the living room tells the story.   Honestly, a pool table is a better investment (Geometry & conversation), than a TV!

Quote from: kj4adn on August 21, 2015, 12:59:19 PM
Thanks for the welcome.  We also home-school, since the last century (LOL), and the latest CAT test showed son-3 in 98% across the board  - which is a rarity!  Usually the kids do well in a few areas, and OK in others, but always above 85%.
We were practically disowned when we made the decision to home-school, +20 yrs ago, now the family wants us christened for sainthood or something...

----------------

I just read an article on the destruction of ancient artifacts by ISIS. 
It was one of those ah-ha moments of mine, 'there is no past, nor is there a future, just obedience in the present'.

While I have no love of corrupt cultures of olden days, shouldn't we KEEP some THINGS reminders as a warning to future generations?  It would appear the goal is to completely isolate the public from the ability to *think* for themselves.  Before WW1, the elites & ruling classes kept the rest of the people in check through ignorance.

In the 1980's a fine Canadian gentleman friend of my family said, "We are headed for an information war.  Not so much the haves and havenots, but so much information it will be impossible to sort through it."   I'll add to that, "and people will give up, by turning to entertainment, becoming incapable of making rational decisions."   When we get asked why there is no TV in the house, the answer is "99% of the stuff on TV has absolutely no effect on your life, whatsoever - therefore, it is a time waster."  The orientation of the living room tells the story.   Honestly, a pool table is a better investment (Geometry & conversation), than a TV!

We are kindred spirits, kj4adn!  We too home schooled our kids and they had stellar SAT scores.  They are all grown now and have advanced degrees and professional jobs.  It was the best decision we ever made.... to home school!  No better investment of our time.

I agree that we (nationally) are bringing up a generation of young people who are incapable of making common sense decisions.  Common sense is no longer common!  I know countless young people who are locked into a mental vacuum and cannot grow up.  Very sad.

Quote from: kroz on August 21, 2015, 02:09:02 PM
I agree that we (nationally) are bringing up a generation of young people who are incapable of making common sense decisions.  Common sense is no longer common!  I know countless young people who are locked into a mental vacuum and cannot grow up.  Very sad.

Electronic devices are soooooo adictive, always have been.  Have you noticed how seldom people actually look at your face (or eyes) when they're talking to you, and then how nervous they get when you look directly at them?  Eyes are the windows of the soul, one of the pathways for truth and knowledge.

Enlightenment or entertainment, the battle rages on our entire life.
While we communicate ideas & convictions here, encouraging one another through discussion (and disagreement) - this isn't the BEST mode of communication, but at least it engages the brain!

Television and modern electronic hand-held junk is "programming" this generation to push aside reason & wisdom, for emotion & eye-candy.   You're right, Kroz, common sense is noticably absent - espically in politics.