The Dumbing Down of America: A Moment With Bill Reflection

I was having fabric cut in Hancock Fabrics the other day. 1/4 yard I wanted. The cutting clerk didn't know how to read the ruler. She measured out a yard and asked if that was what I wanted, then started guessing other numbers. I finally had to point out that 1/4 was the "one slash four" number. Talk about dumbing down. She was not an immigrant, nor from a gang area. Her accent, mannerisms, and phraseology all indicated an average American young woman, who apparently had not paid attention in school. . . .

First, Bill, let me say how much I enjoy your writing. Second, let me say that you and I have had similar experiences as teachers and got pretty darn discouraged. The dumbing down and political correctness in education is enough to make anyone go nuts, and if you're an especially competent and creative teacher, even more so. What scares me most these days is the group think. Take a current example -- Bruce Jenner's transition into Caitlyn Jenner. If you're not 100 percent behind this, if you question it in any way, you're shot down by the political correctness police. There's no room for intelligent discourse. Issues in education are the same. Teachers are losing more influence. Go along with the program or you'll be replaced with someone who will.

Actually, this has been happening a lot longer than anyone of could even imagine. This is strictly my opinion, feelings, and beliefs based on my daily observations and experiences for many, many years.

The 'dumbing down' statement is so true it is scary. As long as they keep us in survival mode. The worse this will get. It is not age specific like the younger generation verses the older. I can hardly believe how many older than myself are so asleep, just go about daily lives, do not notice what is really going on around them, or are in complete denial. It's scary and I am related to some of these people. Though I have to admit with my interjection of stuff when appropriate has had some effect and they are starting to notice things more. It has been a long hard road without getting labeled a wacko. For all I know I was, just no one dared say it to my face.

The education system has been ruled over and pretty much defunct for all of the 40 years I have been in it. It is getting worse. I went back just 8 years ago to get a 2 year RN. I have a previous B.S. in biology and genetics. Huge difference between the 2 and what has happened since. I am not saying my first education was that perfect either. I will just say I was sadly disappointed.

I have not watched tv for about 10 years now and when I do the majority I do see I feel like they are sucking the brain cells out of my brain. I don't own a tv and I am better off for it. What I do watch I watch for entertainment only and keep that in mind. Forget reality tv it just perpetuates the very things we don't want to have happening in this world division, competition, rudeness, back stabbing, etc. I have no time or interest in it at all.

As for the internet, it is a double edged sword. If it was not for the internet I would not have learned what I needed. The rest of it I can do without. It is called discernment. If a person has enough 'life experience' meaning little things that make you go hmmm, then it is hard to put the puzzle pieces together. Sanctuary said many things that I would agree with. I will say as long as more people start to wake-up the chances for change will happen. However, all the defunct systems money, education, 'big business', health system, government, etc will fall first and hard. It won't be the little guy that suffers the most. I am not saying some won't, because they will to a point from being asleep to long. Those at the top that created the mess in the first place will suffer the most, because the very systems they created to dumb us down, enslave, make us sick, etc will crumble beneath them.

I have hope and faith we humans will make it through and make the necessary changes to make this world a better place. It will just be a slightly demanding and bumping road to that end. Many will have to help others adjust who truly want to.

Sadly to change the system we live in requires a constant search for the truth and complete defiance of the things that deny it. You can not change the political system when its already rigged and voting for their already chosen agendas has nothing to do with bettering most of our lives. Yet they only have to convince you of one thing you believe and you defend that one thing often at your own destruction. The financial system collapsed due to deregulation and a plan that made some people rich, why else would they do it. The same Ponzi-scheme was played in 1920 almost perfect. A false currency system requires failure. The only information most people get is an advertisement and the truth you do receive should bombard you. Because you our powerless to change anything we have become trained enough to defend stupidity. No great investigations or rules have been made to stop any of this. No one has gone to jail or been made to pay back their mistakes to ordinary people. We have only been made to work for less, fewer hours and to pay a higher cost of living and taxes. We have to pretty much be dumb and apathetic just to get through another day of lies. Stupidity is our future and a requirement for life its self. No amount of education is going to help your children survive a future that is going to collapse at some point. How long can a Fraud of this size continue to last? Will it be the environment that kills us first or a complete collapse of the monetary system that has no real value. Personally giving up is the only option because the average person has 0 power in changing the nature of the powers that control our lives and control the agenda.

What you're doing, Glimmer, is real education. That's what our schools used to do. Do you remember the years that Japan was envious of us because we were so inventive as a culture? They kept sending researchers over to figure out how we did it. Well, that's gone. So parents are picking up the slack in their homes, and that's exactly what needs to happen.

Along with that, we need to keep after our legislators to let them know good education is important, and what they're doing right now is not good. But then, where's the money to pay for it? Without the top 1% paying their fair share of taxes, schools are having to cut out these "extraneous" activities and stick to the bare basics that don't cost much.

Don't get me started on the standardized tests that kids have to take these days. For a few months that is all they teach...forget writing a paper or reading a real book. Outrageous and they think that the results are indicative of a child's intelligence. We do a lot with our daughter outside of school, museums, day trips, historical things....I think this sort of thing helps children, not just schools. She also plays outside...a lot and with friends so that she knows how to hold her own and socialize. Important stuff that can't be found on a computer. (She uses those too ). Can you tell this hub fired me up?

billybuc Brother another wow hub of love. I could not agree more. Behind big bro are principalities and powers of higher places in the workings. I also believe that many in the upper house (government) are being mind trained without knowing what truly is going on. Can't we learn from history?? There is nothing new under the sun. Yes our government is working to get us to submit to them and depend on them. Our dependence needs to be on Almighty God. May God help us. Our nation needs to come back to Christ. This is out of our hands. We need divine intervention. I am afraid many have forgot who our creator is and how our America was birthed. One nation under God. When we are deliberate and go against God He withdraws His hedge of protection. It is not too late. God says if we repent and come back to Him he will heal our land. God Bless you dear billybuc. You are awesome. Your sister in Christ. Skye

Yes, another typo, arghh. Thanks for correcting that!

*It doesn't...* (I hate typos, lol)

Interesting read! And interesting you brought up the advice given to writers everywhere: Keep it Simple. I actually agree with that advice. I doesn't have anything to do with dumbing down. I think it refers to the fact the great writing is written in a simple way to convey great ideas and profound thoughts. Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" couldn't be any simpler. Dickens' "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" is another example of simple but strong writing. They were in no way dumbing down to the audience. Rather, they raised the bar.

Hi Billy;

I thought of your hub when I saw an old movie the other night titled, “Network,” with William Holden, Peter Finch, Bob Duvall, and Faye Dunaway. Genius script. The irony is that the satire of American television portrayed in the film through the flagrantly absurd programming and machinations of a particular network – and the society that encourages it -- has become reality.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, billybuc. Sometimes I just have to let off steam. (Coffee . . . good idea.) Well, I've heard that the state of California, where I live, is preparing changes to our educational system. One of the bills coming out will reduce testing requirements to the bare minimum required by OCLB, while a more reasonable method of assessing student progress is developed. There is also a bill to let corporations create technical courses for public K-12 schools. (Not sure how I feel about that.) I haven't seen anything related to reinstating right-brained training in schools, though.

I found myself having to fill in those gaps at home. With my two oldest, I would always buy crayons and paints for them to play with. I didn't give them much direction, just told them to make what they wanted. As my oldest daughter grew, should would sketch fashion designs and imagine having her own line of clothing. I encouraged her in the dream.

My other daughter writes, draws and is currently working on 'Bob'. Bob is a dinosaur, I think, that she created from a large Coke bottle, toilet paper tubes and papier mache. She's 20 now, but she has never lost her enthusiasm for crafts.

I was lucky with my son as there was a Montessori pre-school near home. He flourished beautifully there and still has a creative drive. He prefers to express it digitally. He always did have a knack for things electronic.

I worry about their future children though. We're a family of free thinkers and I am concerned how they will fare in conformity factories...sorry...schools if they continue along this path. By God, I'll home school them myself, if need be.

I had four principals ask me if I was going for a teaching credential during the six years I substitute taught awhile ago. I told them no. Why? I couldn't stand to teach for "No Child Left Behind." I didn't like the way the curriculum was becoming so left brained and so focused on tests. I knew I would be upset if I found creative ways around it, caught up the difficult students, and then they went right back into it with the next grade. I have two siblings who teach and they both hate that program.

Here's what I mean about being too left brained. Kindergartener bodies and brains are still primarily right-brain directed. That's our creative side. That's the side that needs to thrive for any endeavor to be at all unique. Yet we're redirecting kids in kindergarten to make them more left brained before they're ready. We've cut the painting, music, stretching and dancing, way back in most of classrooms. We're trying to teach math and memorization and the structure of paragraphs. We don't have field trips anymore (although many schools are starting to plant school gardens now (yay!) to fulfill some of that need).

The upshot is that . . . kids are frustrated and BORED! And when they're bored, they act up. And when they grow up without good creativity skills and the hand/eye/ear coordination that goes along with them, they're more bored and they act up more. I taught juvenile delinquents for a year, and found a high preponderence of very creative, very uneducated teenagers. . . . What's happening with our prisons again? And how much of that unprecedented growth is coming directly from a lifetime of boredom/frustration and other people trying to force you to do what you don't want to do?

Well now, just a moment while I get my stylish new tin hat down from the roof and then we can talk. Gee, with NSA, that's not quite as funny as it might have been while we were all still ignorant. Anyway, here's my crazy take on it. We have allowed capitalism to get out of control. It is now a bigger boogieman than all the rest ever were. Money is at the root of everything now so most art is out the window in favor of entertainment that appeals to the broadest base of the population. Education is now rewarded with money for test results so is it any wonder that is going the same direction? We really need to get over the idea that a number in a corporate bank is the most powerful thing on earth. We seem to be trading everything of value for it and it actually has no value. At the moment, our education in the north and south regions of North America are far behind the rest of the world (in most cases) so how do we expect to thrive? Oh yes... we are expected to remain on the conveyor belt, not thrive. Oh, could I get on a soapbox now! Suffice to say, excellent hub that should be read by everyone while we can all still read!

You have chosen the most beneficial way to share your gift----your voice...with the world. Such an outstanding gift......must grow and multiply in purpose......thus, MUST be spread for all to be nourished and motivated by it's power. YOU, are appreciated!

Bill....Once again and as always, you bring your readers some of the most realistic and basic facts about "what's going on"....all around us. You have an uncanny knack of being sensible and direct and "waking up the sleeping masses."

For this alone, I say, "Thank you," ...but you go the extra mile and present solutions, for thinking individuals to act upon this newly-aroused awareness.

This hub is another powerful Wake-up call. All who truly CARE, cannot possibly justify, hitting the damned snooze button!!

Bravo, bil!....UP++++

billybuc - I so love your writing style. Always makes me sit and really think about things...this time the world we live in. I totally agree with you. Great article!

I 100% agree with you on this. I believe for years all schools wanted to churn out were kids that were comfortable following rules and pushing buttons. This is perfect for companies. After all, do you want an employee that thinks for his or herself, and calls the managers out when they are wrong, and expects to be treated with... (gasp!) respect and dignity? It is way easier to have an employee that simply pushes the buttons, does not question authority, and blends in with everyone else. If you happen to be a student that is a little unique with fresh ideas or a high IQ, they have no idea what to do with you. That is why we are failing as a country!

Sorry... I just went into one of my rants. Great hub, by the way. :-)

I hear you Bill. Real strong message. Made me think of the song - you and me and baby makes three has now changed to you and me and the computer makes three lol. Children definitely need to know there is a whole world out there and there is so much to be seen and learned far away from the World Wide Web. Passing this on.

They can't figure out how to give a 2o% tip or to add an extra 20 dollars onto a check. I agree with all that you have said. My granddaughters were picked at their school to put a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was excited over it but they didn't seem to understand how important it was. They don't know about the Wall coming down. They don't know what the Nazi’s did or if they know at all they know very little. I get upset that history is not taught the way it should be. I have tried to tell them about the atomic bomb and how as a child I lived 50 miles from the testing of the bomb. They aren't interested, they are worried about the Kardashians and what's next in that sick family’s life.

Voted up on your interesting hub.

Hi Billy;

When I wrote that comment about friends, I thought, “Oh my goodness, that didn’t come out right,” because we develop friendships here. On Facebook you can have 900 “friends” that aren’t at all like the friendships we develop here. I should have phrased it a little differently.

Bill - Wonderful Hub. You know that I experientially and philosophically agree with every word you said. We are in a sad and dangerous situation in this country and we are not admitting the problem and are certainly not redressing it swiftly. I routinely have classes full of students who made straight A's in high school, but if presented with the kind of work you and I did they would be fortunate to earn C's. Thanks for a beneficial and necessary rant. Blessings! Theresa

George Orwell told us what was coming in "1984". I happened to believe that IN HIGH SCHOOL! I am a free think, always was, and always will be. I don't even own a television, for want of something better. I like to read, expound my thoughts, and seek like minded individuals that do the same. We are in the minority. Television brainwashes, but only if you choose that medium.

All I can say, Billy, a resounding, “Yes.” History tells us of the warnings of the late great Edward R. Murrow that echoed of the dangers of misusing television as being merely a tool of entertainment, and not one that also educates. The media also shares in the blame, and seems to cater to the assumption that everyone has the IQ level and attention span of a gnat. Everyone is obsessed with tweets, 60-second blog reads, and Facebook “friends” whom they’ve never met. Fewer and fewer people actually read books or newspapers anymore. I could go on about this terrific hub you’ve written, but will close with saying, “one of the best I’ve read at the Hub.”

Hello My friend Bill, I apologise for my recent absence - been downsizing, moving and helping with some e-books that you might have heard about. But this topic I cannot resist. It is a far-off echo of the pain I have felt for years when I see the way society is changing. I hate to say this, but it seems too late to remedy.

In early childhood children are meant to learn through their play experiences. These experiences can consist of nothing more than being given a piece of string, or a paper bag, or a little pebble. This happens, even today, if one considers how many children grow up in desperate poverty. They don't have access to the media influences that 'privileged' other children have.

Remember, these small children need their brains to develop in the best way possible. It is normal for them to explore, to develop talent and interests, respect for others and their world. When the billions of brain synapses they are born with are not used, they are simply pruned out as not being essential by the computer that is our brain. When parents allow their children to become engaged in electronic media time and develop an appetite for it, arrested brain development occurs, EXCEPT in the areas being used. Therefore large chunks of knowledge are unavailable to the child, because the brain has discarded the unused potential that was there!

Follow this to the logical conclusion, and yes, society has to change. It is inevitable. And, yes, society will become dumber from a general point of view, and less interesting, less resilient,(they wouldn't know what that means) less imaginative, less able to care for and appreciate others, and so the list goes on. The 'privileged' will be the children growing up with the primitive play materials, because they will have developed the well-rounded and superior brain intellect, which allows for critical thinking, imagination and understanding of their fellow man.

Funny, last night I watched a documentary on the sexualisation of 7 year olds. I felt like crying. I could not watch the whole thing.

I did not see a television until I was 26 years of age. I was so blessed.

Great hub. No Child Left Behind was designed to dumb down students. College education is now not affordable for many. It's all designed because the 'elite' started to complain that Baby Boomers were taught 'all wrong.' How so? Well Boomers were taught to think for themselves. Can't have that! A dumb population is a population that is easier to control. Look it up, there is an article about this and why Americans are dumber. Technology is now geared to distract the population while robber barons rob us all blind and pass legislation in Their favor.

Very interesting Bill and as always a wonderful read!!!

Here's wising you a wonderful day.

Eddy

THANK YOU!

For awhile there I was wondering if it was just me overreacting. (I tend to do that.) Sadly it's true. Nobody wants to make the effort anymore. Nobody wants to explore the unknown and make new discoveries. Nobody wants to make the effort to think and analyze the information they're given. It's too haaard. Just spoon feed them their pablum and give them some Kool-Aid to wash it down with and they couldn't be happier.

You're so spot on about reality TV. I remember 'Candid Camera.' My parents watched it religiously. I hated it. I thought it was cruel to prank people and then mock them. I think reality TV is the 21st century equivalent of the old-time circus freak shows. And Simon Cowell is the ringmaster. His shows seem to be about humiliation and very little to do with talent. (I suspect he was bullied at school and this is his way of exorcising some demons.) I've always said George Orwell had the right idea, just the wrong date.

I've notice the Arts are dumbing down as well. I've seen what passes for literature these days. It's little better than primers with a few obscenities sprinkled in to make it seem relevant. I just read the summary on the back of the book and I feel like I've read the whole thing. On the bright side, it's a real money saver. lol I refuse to follow this trend. I encourage my kids to question everything and not give in to the hype. I will not dumb down; I will insist everyone else smarten up.

Thank you again for writing this.

Hello Bill, I was in Fl. a few years ago sitting in a mall waiting to see ' Brokeback Mountain ' an older gentleman was sitting on the same bench i was sitting on, he was wearing an Iwo Jima hat, A young man wearing a suit and tie approached him and asked, " What is Iwo Jima? " The old man explained it was a place where a battle was fought during WWII, the young man told him that he had never heard of this place. I was amazed. What are they teaching in school? Great topic bill...

Billy, Right On! The best education comes from hands on 'doing', good honest research, and getting outside. Actually speak to local government officials, talk to the people who work in laboratories, walk in the park and observe nature. If we don't get our youth off their behinds and interested in something more than tv and computer games, we are all doomed! Once again you have hit it totally on the head dear friend ;) Pearl

Voted Up+++

Billybuc... I think you need an autoresponder, judging by the number of comments you are receiving, LOL.

Hello William D. holland, the proffesor .

Acute. You're a 100% right. ( as I was composing my comment, Faith Reaper already said it in her comment, so she helped me to think about myself that I already do understand a core of the message).

" the dumbing down " is an evil system of Marxism/Communism in which ignorance occupies ruling positions , and in order to bring population to their level, they create " educational programs" to have greater grip of controlling. Mass production of ignorance is succeesful in America, wherever individuals give up to find for themselves the truth.

This is one of the outstanding linens of you( actually all is ) , that writers are called to raise the intelligence level of he audience. Briliant. [ Now you'll know why I've begged to have room to stay close to you - and the rest of you].

Oh, one more thing, you've clarified to me, why often in conversation with born/raised here people, looke at me as if being totally from different planet, -- and that's probably that after all this time living here I don't know what the reality TV is, ( out of my domain )- my frequent question is ' where are the parents? ' when it comes to education , which basically begins at homes , children are copying the big people around them.

Great hub. Voting up, awesome and useful.

You piqued my interest with your comment on my blog, LOL. Glad I came over. We must be thinking on the same wavelength. I have to admit that I hope I haven't pissed off a lot of my teacher-friends by writing what I did. But man, I just feel so strongly about this. It's one of the reasons I came to despise my last teaching job. They would pull me from my classes starting April 15th! I would not teach another class - maybe one here or there - until the following AUTUMN when school started again. And we're supposed to be teaching something? Those dang politicians have no idea (or maybe they do...going with your conspiracy theory here...) how they've tied teachers' hands. They have no idea how kids can't think for themselves when they get to college. It's astounding to me. Yet, interestingly enough, all those politicians would NEVER send their kid to public school. Sigh...you rock and keep on rockin.' :)

Bill, not just in America my friend....I have this discussion on a regular basis, same subject different country. In the UK there are so many university graduates waving their diplomas and degrees, but no common sense. Look at our government, they involve us in long protracted wars with no real plans. They seem to have no idea why we're there, how and when to get out and what exactly has been accomplished.

The BBC was once considered to be the bastion of the English language, but the standards has slipped so much in the last few years, I won't be surprise to find that the standard of English has fallen behind some third world countries. I can easily see why people believe there is a deliberate conspiracy to make us all into dummies. Another superb article, let's hope it will open some eyes and stop the sleepwalking into oblivion. Up and sharing.

Billybuc, why would you feel terribly sad for nothing? I only feel sad when my neighbor's dog don't bark when it sees me. As they say, being ignored is worse than being hated. I think distance learning is good... attending lectures once every semester, while the bulk of the learning is online.

Bill, in the course of my eBay work, I sometimes come across paper ephemera, books, and other memorabilia that remind me how much more literate our forefathers were. It's because they were much more well-read than contemporary Americans (I will keep it specific to our country) and, of course, had no television and Internet to do the thinking for them.

That's why I really love and appreciate your message here. And you also just reminded me of the primary reason for my sticking with HubPages--that I might simultaneously indulge in the pure joy of original thinking and writing while having access to almost immediate connectivity with fellow original thinkers and writers. In a very effective way, we thus combat the dumbing down of America.

Great hub, my friend! Aloha, and have a fun and free thinking-saturated weekend with Bev!

Joe

I thank you for this view. I wonder if someday, there will be no more classrooms and institutions around. Just internet?

What do you say? Would it happen?

It seems that everything is on the internet today, bigger than any library in the world.

The problem is that children and people don't need to think themselves anymore. Just google and you can pick the answer you want.

My seven year old son always says that he wants a computer and a cell phone. When I was in that age, they didn't exist. Instead I went outside to play and discover things in nature. Now I have to drag my children outside...

There's a school near where I live, where two teachers are going to try a new way of teaching now. The 7 year old children are going to spend less time in the class room and they can concentrate on what they are interested in. There won't be any right or wrong answers on questions either. It's going to be interesting to see the results in a couple of years.

I could write so much more about this subject, because this hub was so interesting and inspiring. Thank you for writing this!

I am extremely happy with all I have done. It is very difficult (frustrating) to watch others do less. But it is their life...

billybuc,

Not to mention... this 'no child left behind act' actually drags kids along with it. So many kids are just taught what need for testing purposes, as you've mentioned, while finding it hard to grasp anything else. My son for instance, he struggles with dyslexia and easily falls behind. I do what I can to combat the issue, but in 5th grade he was reading at the level of a first grader and off to Middle School they sent him... tell me that's not overwhelming and it's hard not to continue to fall further behind if nobody's appropriately addressing the issue! Arghh... Did I mention I have degrees in the education field, but within the last couple of years decided that it wasn't for me!

You have a great weekend too!

Wow! You hit the nail on the head with this one.

I will tell you what I plan to do. I told you that my small dog is in training to become a therapy dog. Therapy dogs get to go to schools and have young readers read aloud to them. This is done out of hearing of other classmates. These young readers know that they will not be judged for poor reading skills from a dog. The aim is to help young students gain confidence and hopefully learn to love to read.

It is small, but it is a start. Great idea, huh?

Yes, some 'in touch' man taught me that small acts of kindness can have big dividends.

Thanks, Bill.

DJ.

Hi Billy~you have written another hub that has everyone talking. It is very very scary how our world has changed since we were kids. I too was a kid that had no internet or cell phone. I jumped on a trampoline for hours in the neighborhood, rode bike everywhere I went and did not have a computer to come home to. There are many great things about the computer age, but sadly, it's replacing too much of our lives. I guess the saying~ 'everything in moderation' is something we can all revisit. Thanks for always writing hubs that have important messages.

Bill, I've spoken my piece on this subject many times. All I can say now to you is, "Amen"!

Billy,

Well this is the first time in a while I can't say 'that was beautiful', in fact I'm almost irritated after reading this! Of course, I won't shoot the messenger. :D So many points in here could've made their own hubs. Where do you even start? Hmmm. Reality TV; now there's a good one! I hate that it even exists and it's not allowed on in my house... of course there are actually some educational 'real' television that might fall under reality TV and I'm not referring to those. Not only are kids not learning much more than how to pass tests but they cling to these drama-filled, unrealistic shows. Worse... I know adults that sit and watch some of these programs and actually believe it's reality and enjoy themselves! Arghh! Have you noticed the trend that even adults seem to be victim to this 'dumbing down'? Where is the challenge anymore? So many people have an electronic in their face, they don't need to think for themselves anymore and then when the do, they're at a loss!

Arghhh again! Let's hope the right people or enough people care!

Excellent as always Billy,

Cat

Interesting food for thought, Bill

Let's take a test became the game the last too many years that I was fortunate to be a teacher. Thinking critically, thinking outside of the box...nada...if they were taught it all it had to be done creatively to mask what we were doing...we HAD to address the standards and test the standards and reteach the standards we never really had time to teach. And now, guess what??? 160 teachers and a boat load of parprofessionals were cut this June. And who will replace them you ask, why substitutes of course. And that is not a slam to subs as I subbed while my first grandson struggled to stay on the planet. I am not saying they cannot do equally well but they may not feel compelled to as they have NO benefits and make a fraction of the money a teacher makes which in an of itself is a pittance.

Reality shows...are you kidding me??? It is difficult to find a show that isn't dubbed 'reality'. I however do not have tv because I refuse to spend my few dollars on it. I do watch some shows like 48 hrs. on the internet once in a while though.

Do I think things have been dumbed down? 'Deed I do and I feel we have allowed it to happen. all of the suggestions you make are a way to bring us out of this sluggish drivel we have become enmeshed in over the years.

Voted up up and away and shared!!! Angels are on the way...

Hi Bill. Great message. When we were raising our kids during the 1990s and early 2000s we made damn sure that they were signed up for baseball, basketball, girl scouts, boy scouts, etc.. Every Tuesday we dragged them to a local youth weekly road race designed just for kids. They didn't always love what we did and where we were taking them but they look back on those days fondly today. And many a vacation was spent hiking the beautiful outdoors of your Pacific Northwest. Oh, there were times when all they wanted to do was sit in front of a video game or a computer. Great hub Bill, have a great weekend.

I agree with you 100%. It startled me the other day when an adult friend of mine had no idea what the difference between fiction and non-fiction was. I worry for our future, I worry about the lost art of story telling and the use of language as an art form. As usual your magnificent hub articulated a deep-seated hub so many of us have. Well done. By the way, every time I read you new tag line I smile. It is so perfect for you. Have a wonderful, rejuvenating weekend Bill.