[jasonraymondson]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Aaron', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') think most of us here have spent countless hours with countless numbers of people from across the country and have been to many parts of the country to know that what Kristen says is the universal truth in America. It's certainly not a case of applying universally what's held locally (damn, I forgot what this type of argument is...).

[TommyJefferson]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', 'I') got most of my education in the Public Schools.

[hermit]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TommyJefferson', 'S')eriously. Get past the lib/con/r/d nonsense. There's not a spit's worth of real difference between them on the fundamental issues. That little dog-n-pony show is an utter waste of your time. You are smarter than that.

[Kristen]

thanks for the support guys,

I am just frustrated that it is impossible to have a meaningful conversation with anyone these days. That's why I love this forum.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hermit', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TommyJefferson', 'S')eriously. Get past the lib/con/r/d nonsense. There's not a spit's worth of real difference between them on the fundamental issues. That little dog-n-pony show is an utter waste of your time. You are smarter than that.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', '
')Where are you?

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

I definately agree that as a nation, our intelligence is collectively declining.

As a former teacher, I would consider the following to be some of the reasons:

1) Capitalism/ society has created an environment in which our every whim and desire is attended to. There is always a company to provide every little device and gadget so that we don't have to think anymore (GPS systems for the car instead of reading a map). Then we have companies creating needs for us and herding us towards buying products to meet these supposed needs. Look at the crap such as "foot detox pads" and weight loss pills. We want the easy way out. Also, it's not cool to be a scientist, and funding for real science is short changed. You can (*could*) make more money being a salesman without even bothering to go to college!
A person's personality is much more important than being smart in the workplace. Outgoing people are rewarded while hard working "nerds" are deemed as not being "team players." It's who you know vs. what you know.

2) Many "parents" are doing a horrible job these days. They are too busy with work or whatever to see that their kids have help with homework, or even a single book in the house. TV is the babysitter beginning in infancy. (have you seen the kid cartoons these days? Rapid flashing pictures and constant advertisements. No wonder attention spans are measured in seconds). Discipline is too much hassle, so kids call the shots. When I was a first grade teacher, I don't know how many parents said to me " I don't know how to control little Johnny. What do you recommend?" There were no consequences at all. No desire to do well on a test. Just a desire to put forth the minimal effort and do the time.

3) Back in the old days, before TV, DVD, iPods, texting, people actually had to read books and play parlor games to occupy themselves. These games required the use of the mind. Now we just sit in front of the tube. No one bothers to go outside and look at the stars or walk through the woods to collect rocks. Kids are trapped in their suburban homes with nowhere to play.
We are bored unless we are bombarded with stimulation. This is a major problem. The average person can't sit still and just think for more than 2 seconds. Kids in school want to be entertained.
I remember going to the home of one of my former bosses (a woman who made $120,000 at that time) and a crow landed beside her patio door. She turned to us and said 'Is that a bald eagle?" People are clueless.

Well, I could go on but I have a bad cold today and am probably rambling. I think the only hope for us is some kind of AI implant... LOL

[JJ]

Oh don't worry if Johnny can't read, we've got Sylvan. I think their commercials are an insult to education.

[vaseline2008]

Have you seen the movie "Idiocracy" with Luke Wilson? When I was watching it the movie's premise sounded hysterical...now it seems almost like the course we're heading.

[superpoodle]

Hello all.
This is my first post, but have been lurking for a bit. I have learned much and enjoyed many of your posts, but
I have to comment about this. All this talk of stupidity and maybe I've missed something, but has no one even noticed that "stupidification" is not a word? Does anyone see the irony in this whole thread? Maybe we all need a little smartification before we label a whole nation of people stupid.

Superpoodle

[Alcassin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vaseline2008', 'H')ave you seen the movie "Idiocracy" with Luke Wilson? When I was watching it the movie's premise sounded hysterical...now it seems almost like the course we're heading.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'W')here are you?

[Homesteader]

The Mat-Su is a wonderful location, I'm envious. I peruse the over-priced real estate in the Talkeetna area every so often to escape into a pleasant dream.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Homesteader', 'T')he Mat-Su is a wonderful location, I'm envious. I peruse the over-priced real estate in the Talkeetna area every so often to escape into a pleasant dream.

[Plantagenet]

Pssst......Reverse.....hey!..... Please Stop telling people how nice it is. Do you want to get overrun with zombies when the die off starts?

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '[')i]Pssst......Reverse.....hey!..... Please Stop telling people how nice it is. Do you want to get overrun with zombies when the die off starts?

[hermit]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', ' ')Still, by no means do I think its going to be a picnic up here when TSHTF. People really aren't prepared for just how tough it will be to make our area self-sustaining. How fast they adjust to it will be interesting to say the least.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')till, by no means do I think its going to be a picnic up here when TSHTF. People really aren't prepared for just how tough it will be to make our area self-sustaining. How fast they adjust to it will be interesting to say the least.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')orgive my ignorance, but how do you grow food up there? Isn't it all short days and cold temperatures? The plant hardiness zone seems unfavorable as well...

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hermit', 'F')orgive my ignorance, but how do you grow food up there? Isn't it all short days and cold temperatures? The plant hardiness zone seems unfavorable as well...

[Goatlady]

So far all the reasons for the decline in America's intelligence by the teachers and previous teachers is right on!

This is a different thought on the same subject...

My Father, who died on January 1, 1969 talked about war causing America to weaken - in all areas. He felt that the 'draft' chose our best men to send to war - mostly to be killed or maimed - and left the weak at home to breed our future.

I was seven years old when I heard this, but have often wondered if it played out at all as he thought....