So how many people in your school were pretty stupid?

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The discussion centers around the prevalence of memorization over understanding in science classes, particularly physics and chemistry. Participants express frustration that many students rely on rote memorization of equations without grasping their underlying concepts. A significant portion of respondents estimate that around 50% to 90% of their peers fall into this category, often leading to poor performance when faced with questions requiring logical explanations. The conversation highlights a broader critique of the education system, suggesting that it incentivizes memorization for grades rather than fostering genuine comprehension. Some contributors share personal experiences of outperforming classmates who relied solely on memorization, emphasizing the value of understanding the material. The dialogue also touches on the challenges of teaching and learning in a competitive academic environment, where shortcuts and surface-level learning are often rewarded over deeper engagement with the subject matter. Overall, the thread critiques the educational approach that prioritizes grades over true understanding, calling for a shift towards methods that encourage critical thinking and mastery of concepts.
  • #31
Well, about 80% of my physics, 30% of my AP Chem, and 90% of my U.S History class is stupid, i'd say. Unfortunately, nothing really comes of this since my teachers grade only 50-60% on tests.

People in my physics class memorize because they don't really understand the material--no really, they DON'T (well, 20% do). But their notebooks and classwork (plugging in formulas) looks so neat and organized that the teachers pardons them with undeserved B's.
In my statistics class, people are stupid because they didn't understand the previous concepts covered earlier during the course; now it haunts them...but this time it's a little better, since tests are 70%, and homework counts 30%.
In my chem class, people simply memorize and enjoy the low curve set by the teacher, without really understanding the material. That's what I love about science--getting good test grades because of understanding the material, not memorization. But that doesn't apply for my class.
Now my U.S History class...well, I can make quite a rant about that. To sum it up: it is a US HISTORY class, NOT AN ART GALLERY. Tests count only 20-30%---you can pass the class just learning how to draw George Washington. By the teacher, some students might not be "skilled" at history, but good at "art"---WHAT THE?? HISTORY is NOT A SKILL!---you READ the BOOK, TAKE THE TEST! In fact, you can even MEMORIZE! In my class, 90% of the students--native English speakers--can't read clearly or even pronounce industrialization, imperialism, and rise of immigration, even when the terms are spaced FAR apart in a reading selection. I have, for example, a project for 70% of the quarter grade----well, no presentation, just make a small poster with images of industrialization, immigration..etc. The only skills necessary: How to use Google image search and color in a rectangular factory.

I think the solution to improve HS education is to un-standardize teachers' programs, and replace it 90% tests, 10% other work---e.g., term papers, comparative essays, historical evaluation----something that demonstrates knowledge of the material and student ability in the field of study.
For math/science classes----100%tests, and extra credit for completing HARD or CHALLENGING problems/projects in the field of study/i.e.,--RELATED to the MATERIAL
 
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  • #32
Some teachers that are good teachers have quit because they themselves don't like the educational system. I have 2 teachers that tried to change it but couldn't. Another teacher is my Mom's friend that just didn't like the system and quit. Also my math teacher complains "Why do I have to teach you this "guessing method" when there's a more reasonable approximation method."

Also there are these textbooks that are just there and no one uses them. Why are they there? Because teachers were too lazy to read it and the outside looked "professional" and thus they bought. Now they complain its no good.

My math teacher read many textbooks, and said there all not good. So he bought these little textbooks that just have questions in them.

Its all about lazy, one lazy will waste the non-lazy's energy to become lazy(happened to me (I wasn't the lazy))

With so many complains why doesn't anyone change the education system? How does the system work?

One funny thing which happens every semester, stupid people come taking a course and the teacher complains to make it shown as a higher level course than it is currently shown. And add prerequisites so stupid people won't join. Which the teacher fails, so at the beginning the course is extra hard(if there's stupid people there.)
 
  • #33
eax said:
With so many complains why doesn't anyone change the education system? How does the system work?

)

Becuase its made by politicians.

It doesn't work. The education system is fundamentally broken.
 
  • #34
bomba923 said:
Well, about 80% of my physics, 30% of my AP Chem, and 90% of my U.S History class is stupid, i'd say. Unfortunately, nothing really comes of this since my teachers grade only 50-60% on tests.

People in my physics class memorize because they don't really understand the material--no really, they DON'T (well, 20% do). But their notebooks and classwork (plugging in formulas) looks so neat and organized that the teachers pardons them with undeserved B's.
In my statistics class, people are stupid because they didn't understand the previous concepts covered earlier during the course; now it haunts them...but this time it's a little better, since tests are 70%, and homework counts 30%.
In my chem class, people simply memorize and enjoy the low curve set by the teacher, without really understanding the material. That's what I love about science--getting good test grades because of understanding the material, not memorization. But that doesn't apply for my class.
Now my U.S History class...well, I can make quite a rant about that. To sum it up: it is a US HISTORY class, NOT AN ART GALLERY. Tests count only 20-30%---you can pass the class just learning how to draw George Washington. By the teacher, some students might not be "skilled" at history, but good at "art"---WHAT THE?? HISTORY is NOT A SKILL!---you READ the BOOK, TAKE THE TEST! In fact, you can even MEMORIZE! In my class, 90% of the students--native English speakers--can't read clearly or even pronounce industrialization, imperialism, and rise of immigration, even when the terms are spaced FAR apart in a reading selection. I have, for example, a project for 70% of the quarter grade----well, no presentation, just make a small poster with images of industrialization, immigration..etc. The only skills necessary: How to use Google image search and color in a rectangular factory.

I think the solution to improve HS education is to un-standardize teachers' programs, and replace it 90% tests, 10% other work---e.g., term papers, comparative essays, historical evaluation----something that demonstrates knowledge of the material and student ability in the field of study.
For math/science classes----100%tests, and extra credit for completing HARD or CHALLENGING problems/projects in the field of study/i.e.,--RELATED to the MATERIAL
I know what you mean about the memorizing thing...
In first term college-preparatory Physics, I was the only person in my class to get an A. :smile: (What was even funnier was I was the only Sophomore while they were all Juniors and Seniors)
But History, you have to admit, is blatant memorizing... unless you have the best teacher ever and they choose to make it more of the interpretation kind of History, which is cool.
 
  • #35
Yeah, history is just memorizing. My history teacher, for a reason yet unknown, completely spazzed and chewed me out in front of the class when I said to her "Basically, all this class is, is you give us a bunch of information, and we are expected to spit it back out in about a week.". I loved my old freshman history teacher, Mr. Gaworecki. He was so incredibly down to earth. He was a vietnam vet who walked with a limp because one foot was too big. He was always sarcastic about his age: "speak up. During the civil war I got hit in the head by a canon ball.". Then he'd randomly go up to some kid in a desk and shake the guy's desk till all his homework fell off and he'd go "Earthquake! Oh no!".

He started off on the very first day of history by asking us all why we thought it was important. Most kids said to learn from out mistakes. He said something along the lines of "most of you are just full of bull****, you see. We will never ever learn from our mistakes, so really its not important at all."
 
  • #36
The problem does no end at high school either. Some people in my advanced physics classes have the moto “problems now understanding later.” It is a skill to be able to do physics and not understand it. Unfortunately or fortunately I lack this skill. I cannot do well in a physics course without understanding it, however I have seen classmates do exactly that. Undergrad Quantum one and two seem to be the class that this happens in the most.

I think it is a sad state of affairs.

Edit:
These people are not stupid however like the threads name would imply.
 
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  • #37
KingNothing said:
He started off on the very first day of history by asking us all why we thought it was important. Most kids said to learn from out mistakes. He said something along the lines of "most of you are just full of bull****, you see. all."

My history class exactly. Ask them to back up a position or judgment, they respond with "..well, um...for honesty, um...we need peace for harmony...so don't attack the aggressor...um..."----and a bunch of other bull**** of words/terms that they can't really define or connect, or take a concrete logical stand on. Well, in class, it seems I condescend and they want me to quiet. I say: "If you can logically defend/back what you say or decide against MY position (on whatever issue we're discussing), then I'll be quiet."

I think it's the teacher with her concept of small-scale democracy, and I do mean, SMALL-scale (28 or so students). For a nation, no office has time to evaluate the reasons, logic, and grounds of every citizen's vote. For a classroom of 28 students, I think it is the history teacher's responsibility to evaluate the logic and reasoning of each participating student's position whenenver she decides to coordinate a discussion---otherwise, don't hold discussions! It seems to me that the teacher considers all opinions equal; that is the problem. A well-justified stand written/spoken in formal language is just as strong as the judgment of the student full of bull****. Maybe for non-academic subjects---sure! BUT for HISTORY class, having an INFORMED DISCUSSION??

One more thing: ok...she likes ART, with colorful metaphors in the project I mentioned in my previous post. Ok...nothing wrong with that. What about the students?
Well, some draw two cylinders and a stick gun, to symbolize the vast achievements in firearm technology and battlefield tactics. A trapezoid boat with some green figures under the sun to represent immigration from Europe, urbanization, and the growth of American industry. Well, how's that for creativity? Bull**** :devil:

Creativity and understanding. Well, I'm not the "art" or "colorful" type, but how about at least:
a) Drawing a vast blue between two landmasses (representing the Atlantic, the influence which separated America from Europe)--one with wealth, symbols of opportunity (to symbolize the American Dream), and the other red--to symbol the strife or diffuculty immigrants experiences in native lands.
b) Depicting a scene of battle, divided in three panels with different views of the same area, representing the various beliefs and perspective of national peoples in regard to war---or at least international perspective of various nations

Ok. The teacher like art. BUT EVEN "ART" requires SOME thought and KNOWLEDGE/CAPABILITY :eek: . But--NO! The students just draw trapezoid boats. NO thought---no KNOWLEDGE--ZERO competence! You see what I mentioned above (for the required drawings)? AT LEAST that represents SOME...just a LITTLE ThoughT! But no..."creativity" must not be stifled according to the teacher!
:mad: not "creativity." those drawings? Incompetence.

My group leader: what she lacks in competence she makes up for in attitude. Ask her: How did American economy and the use of steam power expand about our waterways?
Her reply: what are "waterways"?
Ask her: Coal became an even more valuable resource with use of steam energy and furnaces to power machinery, as in factories, for example. What were some other applications?
Her reply: "What are furnaces?" My reply: "Do you know at least what water heaters are?" Her reply: "Huh?? What are water heaters?"

She has poor knowledge of the Industrial Revolution and no sense of historical context. And yet she challenges my position, saying that my information is too wordy and confusing with poor word choice?
Honestly now: do not listen to people who can't read at a HS junior level and who have no sense of logical judgment. Do not accept their work or stance on issues they do not really understand or can't logically justify.

To compromise with such students, the teacher allows everyone to draw a picture for short-answer questions on tests to express the concept or explain an issue. Honestly now: If they can't write well enough to describe events learned of in HS junior history class...hold them back a grade or send them to a lower level English class. If they can't read a simple textbook...send them back to ninth grade. If they need definitions to words like "armaments, reparation, mercy"...hold them back a year or two.

And these students will be accepted into good universities because of their high grades. Don't blame the students; it's the teachers. (or whoever gave them A's or B's in academics for incompetent work).
 
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  • #38
I personally find old books much better to read than new textbooks.

too much dumbening up, methinks..
 
  • #39
I was a bad student in High School. I rarely did homework, but I always understood well enough to pass the tests. In Algebra, I was constantly reprimanded for trying to do the problems on the blackboard my own way (since I rarely did my homework, the teacher almost always called on me to work the problems out on the board) I got the right answers, but without using the teacher's method. It didn't help that my friend didn't do homework either, (he was a bright guy, just not math inclined) and if he got called to the blackboard and I didn't, he would try and get the answers from me. The teacher would see this and send me up there too.

Anyway, there was this guy in my Algebra classes all through High School that drove me crazy. He made the classes soooooo boring because he could not grasp concepts. The teacher would go over and over the same thing to try and get it through this moron's thick head! He was in advanced classes, but obviously (to me anyway) he was holding everyone else back. He did his homework, and worked hard, but barely squeeked by on tests. I did almost no homework and did better than him on the tests.
 
  • #40
I get all edgy when I don't see a proof especially when I am self-studying. I have known tons of people who can't be arsed about proofs ! That's indeed sad, especially here in Singapore, even the teachers are like that. I used to have a math teacher, great guy, but he delved too much into proofs till he lost the whole class (me included,...), but he's definitely one teacher I respect alot.

I think proofs are great, you don't need to take out a book to look at a problem to solve, just take out a piece of paper and you're on your way. I always try proving something (esp. in physics) in my spare time.

I think its the whole system and teachers. But you have to put it in perspective, no one does physics for physics' sake (or any other subject). I asked a lot of my friends, the reason they do physics or math not because they want to learn the underlying mechanisms but rather the most common answer I get is "I need to get an A so I could get into that engineering course".

To me, hardly anyone i know do physics or math for fun.
 
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  • #41
Doing physics problems without understanding physics (conceptually)...isnt that basically the same as doing math? Also, miso, what do you mean by "no one does physics for physics' sake"

Are you saying that no one does it because they feel they will make the field better?
 
  • #42
I can also count on my own two hands all the intelligent folks I've met. I cannot, however, do the same with the unintelligent ones.

Why is it that now people think that you are stupid if you are ugly and got braces and glasses and they think they are better than you because they can afford to look pretty and take full advantage of it?

This just burns me up. And all the "cute" guys at school I hear the girls talking about are dumber than a sack of rocks. And they actually think they are better than you, and when you have cornered them by giving some long geeky response to something they have done to you, they always say "Shut up!" or "Shut the h#! up!" or "Shut the f*@k up!" or my personal favorite, "Huh?"
 
  • #43
Pre-AlgebraDude said:
I can also count on my own two hands all the intelligent folks I've met. I cannot, however, do the same with the unintelligent ones.

I can't count the morons either, even if i can count to 1023 on my hands.

Why is it that now people think that you are stupid if you are ugly and got braces and glasses and they think they are better than you because they can afford to look pretty and take full advantage of it?

Because they are more likely to reproduce. Its simple darwinism really.

This just burns me up. And all the "cute" guys at school I hear the girls talking about are dumber than a sack of rocks. And they actually think they are better than you, and when you have cornered them by giving some long geeky response to something they have done to you, they always say "Shut up!" or "Shut the h#! up!" or "Shut the f*@k up!" or my personal favorite, "Huh?"


The trick is to keep ridiculing them. Keep momentum on your side, eventually it will get through to their primitive neandarthal brains that they are being shamed. Then the fun begins. Rinse, repeat, on a daily basis. Its fun.
 
  • #44
Bladibla said:
I personally find old books much better to read than new textbooks.

too much dumbening up, methinks..

My sentiments exactly.

Artman said:
Anyway, there was this guy in my Algebra classes all through High School that drove me crazy. He made the classes soooooo boring because he could not grasp concepts. The teacher would go over and over the same thing to try and get it through this moron's thick head! He was in advanced classes, but obviously (to me anyway) he was holding everyone else back. He did his homework, and worked hard, but barely squeeked by on tests. I did almost no homework and did better than him on the tests.

There's probably someone like that in any class

As for the comment on ugly faces in braces--well, most of the "shut the f@*% up" comes from those people in my case. For me, those people aren't "nerds" and they aren't really intelligent (see my HS). But, for example, one is fat and others just look ugly, and act as though that gives them the right to make any social comment on "prettier" people :eek: . True, most of the cute/popular people of my school are quite "stupid" (really stupid, I mean...you should see them!)----but the same goes for the other end of the spectrum: the "ugly" people. As for "nerds," well, they are quite nice and reserved (smart, nice...you see) persons, found all across the spectrum (I like that word). But yes, do not hesitate to:
The trick is to keep ridiculing them. Keep momentum on your side, eventually it will get through to their primitive neandarthal brains that they are being shamed. Then the fun begins. Rinse, repeat, on a daily basis. Its fun.
 
  • #45
you know, there is way too much complaining here on pf about "normal" people, or "stupid" or whatever. Really, I'm sure a lot of you out there have never taken the time to properly style your hair, or to realize what styles of clothing are most flattering. How many of you are in great shape? great health? how many of you have practiced flirting, or even just talking to people. Really, if you are so miserable about how other people are, or how they treat you, or how they ignore you, what have you done to fix that. It seems stupid to me if you haven't tried being popular, or funny, or good looking, or whatever.

But i know you guys. I know that some people are just bad around people. Some people could not wear stylish anything... no matter how hard they tried. Some people can't tell jokes if they're lives depended on it. Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too. Really... be more tolerant, less judgemental... more... nice... we all do what we can to get by. you can ask more of a person than that.
 
  • #46
KingNothing said:
Doing physics problems without understanding physics (conceptually)...isnt that basically the same as doing math? Also, miso, what do you mean by "no one does physics for physics' sake"

Are you saying that no one does it because they feel they will make the field better?

What's worse actually is the memorization of definitions ! Like a question "what is a gravitational field?" would probably yield the exact same answer throughout the whole class. I've heard Zapperz said once that he went to a high-school telling the students there that physics is not just quantum or particle physics. Here in Singapore, its worse. The only impression students have of physics is classical physics.

But what i meant by no one does physics for physics' sake is that hardly anyone i know do appreciate the physical concepts behind it and truly enjoy physics. Rather, most good physics students I know end up doing engineering, because that's the most profitable field here in Singapore. And even these "good" students don't take the effort to derive any formula.
 
  • #47
Nicely said Gale! :approve: A little humility goes a long way in life.
 
  • #48
Yes, everyone in my school is dumber than I, so are all of you. I am the smartest, coolest, hippest, person I know.
 
  • #49
Gale17 said:
you know, there is way too much complaining here on pf about "normal" people, or "stupid" or whatever. Really, I'm sure a lot of you out there have never taken the time to properly style your hair, or to realize what styles of clothing are most flattering.

Every bloody day. Bugs the crap out of me if i don't. I can't stand to leave my room looking unkempt. But I'm rather OCD. My phone has a leather holder on it, if its not perfectly symmetric it drives me nuts. And the tongues of my shoes. Thats another thing. It has to be perfectly centered, or i can't stand it.

On the other hand my room is a total mess, and if its not, it drives me nuts, it has to be messy. I have takeout boxes stacked to the ceiling. Granted, they start at the table, but that's still a good 7 feet.

How many of you are in great shape? great health? how many of you have practiced flirting, or even just talking to people. Really, if you are so miserable about how other people are, or how they treat you, or how they ignore you, what have you done to fix that. It seems stupid to me if you haven't tried being popular, or funny, or good looking, or whatever.

Great shape and great health are questionable (anybody who sleeps as little as me can't be healthy), but for the rest its a moot point. I could write a whole book on machiavellian social interaction if i was so inclined. It's not even a challenge. Which makes it boring. And bad things happen when i get bored.

But i know you guys. I know that some people are just bad around people. Some people could not wear stylish anything... no matter how hard they tried. Some people can't tell jokes if they're lives depended on it.

Yeah, those people bug me too.

Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too.

That's because they're morons. Its quite simple really.

Really... be more tolerant, less judgemental... more... nice... we all do what we can to get by. you can ask more of a person than that.

But its so much more fun doing things my way.
 
  • #50
Moonbear said:
Nicely said Gale! :approve: A little humility goes a long way in life.


Goes a long way away from me, yes.
 
  • #51
franznietzsche said:
Me: Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too.

That's because they're morons. Its quite simple really.

...intellectual or otherwise... that was a dig for close minded people as well... i don't think you quite get the concepts of tolerance or humility, i wouldn't call you a moron by any means... but you said it, not me.
 
  • #52
Gale17 said:
...intellectual or otherwise... that was a dig for close minded people as well... i don't think you quite get the concepts of tolerance or humility, i wouldn't call you a moron by any means... but you said it, not me.


Humility?

To quote Mohammed Ali, : "When you're as great as I am, it's hard to be humble."

Tolerance? That wore out before i even got to high school. By the time i got there, i had already had all my tolerance worn out by being a complete social outcast for so long. So i grew a nasty streak, and leveled the playing field.
 
  • #53
I do NOT respect people whom as the thread starter originally intended to mean, people who just MEMORIZE stuff without proving anything. But as for "stupid" people as you guys have discussed. I totally disagree with it. To me, stupidity is simply a social construct. I see it as a collection of bad experiences which led them themselves to think "I am indeed stupid".

When I am explanining something to someone "slow" and he/she can't really undestand, i won't be thinking ,"this guy is too damn fuking stupid", but instead i would think "how can i change the way i explain it so he/she could better understand it?". To me, I don't believe in stupid people, stupid people are simply people who cannot absorb material the way mainstream education teaches it, NOT that they cannot absorb any material at all.
 
  • #54
misogynisticfeminist said:
To me, stupidity is simply a social construct. I see it as a collection of bad experiences which led them themselves to think "I am indeed stupid".

Ok, let's put a high school dropout at Los Alamos National Lab, since stupidity is nothing but a 'social contract'. Give me a break.

To me, I don't believe in stupid people, stupid people are simply people who cannot absorb material the way mainstream education teaches it, NOT that they cannot absorb any material at all.


They can absorb plenty of material just fine, like the phrase 'Would you like fries with that?'
 
  • #55
franznietzsche said:
Humility?

To quote Mohammed Ali, : "When you're as great as I am, it's hard to be humble."

Tolerance? That wore out before i even got to high school. By the time i got there, i had already had all my tolerance worn out by being a complete social outcast for so long. So i grew a nasty streak, and leveled the playing field.

I think you should get rid of that nasty streak and stop being a social outcast. tolerance is an important asset... as well as humility. I don't care who you are. If you can withstand adversity and still come out with a positive attitude, then you've something to be proud of.

And miso, I'm glad you can agree with me about stupidity, but can't you aslo appreciate that at least that person is attempting to make the grade. They're at least doing something as opposed to nothing. At very least they've taken the time to memorize formulas... wouldn't you think less if them if they didn't even care enough to at least do that? If you really didn't understand something, and really didn't care to, how much effort would you put towards it?
 
  • #56
Gale17 said:
I think you should get rid of that nasty streak and stop being a social outcast.

I got the nasty streak and thus stopped being a social outcast. A big machiavellian streak can do wonders for one's social life.

tolerance is an important asset... as well as humility.

Tolerance in some senses yes. In others, no.


And miso, I'm glad you can agree with me about stupidity, but can't you aslo appreciate that at least that person is attempting to make the grade.

And wasting the time of those of us who care.

They're at least doing something as opposed to nothing. At very least they've taken the time to memorize formulas... wouldn't you think less if them if they didn't even care enough to at least do that?

In a twist of irony, i would think more of them. The person who doesn't care and so chooses to do nothing, is not pretending to be something he's not. He (or she) is what he is, and makes no excuses or apologies. I can respect that.

If you really didn't understand something, and really didn't care to, how much effort would you put towards it?

Dunno, never had that problem (i've had one or the other, but never both.)
 
  • #57
franznietzsche said:
Ok, let's put a high school dropout at Los Alamos National Lab, since stupidity is nothing but a 'social contract'. Give me a break.


They can absorb plenty of material just fine, like the phrase 'Would you like fries with that?'

A high school drop out is uneducated and unfortunate, not necessarily stupid. (einstein?) And no... some people can't absorb things very well... you've obviously got your deficiencies.
 
  • #58
Gale17 said:
A high school drop out is uneducated and unfortunate, not
necessarily stupid. (einstein?)

god...

Einstein was not a high school dropout, he was a PhD.

Bloody hell, what is it with people and bringing up outright falsehoods about him to try and prove that uneducated people can make breakthroughs in physics? I mean seriously.

OK, so let's put that dropout in charge of bomb design. Really.

And no... some people can't absorb things very well

I know, i meet them every day. I'm surrounded by them.

you've obviously got your deficiencies.

Because i don't believe in a daft socialist ideal that all humans are innately equal and good? That the blatantly stupid are rather 'unfortunate, and in every way equal to those' who are not morons? Ok I can live with that.
 
  • #59
franznietzsche said:
god...

Einstein was not a high school dropout, he was a PhD.

Bloody hell, what is it with people and bringing up outright falsehoods about him to try and prove that uneducated people can make breakthroughs in physics? I mean seriously.

OK, so let's put that dropout in charge of bomb design. Really.

eventually he got a PhD, but he dropped out first. I nearly dropped out of high school, and i have friends who have as well. some aren't very intellectual, others were. Actually, when i was considering dropping out, i found an article on smart kids who do...
sides, i didn't say anything about uneducated people making breakthroughs, i only said drop out aren't necessarily stupid.

Because i don't believe in a daft socialist ideal that all humans are innately equal and good? That the blatantly stupid are rather 'unfortunate, and in every way equal to those' who are not morons? Ok I can live with that.

I didn't say anything about us all being equal, or even being good. I certainly don't believe we're all equal, but i do believe that we've all good and bad qualities. What makes you so wonderful and better than everyone else? what makes anyone better than anyone else? how can you take into account every aspect of a person and compare it was someone else and possibly make any conclusions?? There are too many factors, and too many possible interpretations of each factor... We aren't equal, but i don't think you can say who;s better and who's worse.
 
  • #60
Gale17 said:
I didn't say anything about us all being equal, or even being good. I certainly don't believe we're all equal, but i do believe that we've all good and bad qualities.

And what constitutes good or bad qualities?

What makes you so wonderful and better than everyone else? what makes anyone better than anyone else?

*sigh*

Am i the only person around who reads Nietzsche?

If you understood his rejection of the idea that good and evil are opposites, and by extension, the rejection of the idea of opposites in general.

Stupidity and genius are not opposites, they are two facets of the same trait. Further, neither is any way preferable to the other, in a purely objective sense.

Indeed, nothing is inherently 'better' or of greater value than anything else, not objectively.

Once realizing this, one is free to choose one's values in such a way that best fosters one's will to power.

What i value, is a will to power. What i respect, is a will to power. A will to power can take almost any manifestation, and its manifestations, no matter how unexpected are easily recognized.


how can you take into account every aspect of a person and compare it was someone else and possibly make any conclusions?? There are too many factors, and too many possible interpretations of each factor... We aren't equal, but i don't think you can say who;s better and who's worse.

You are wrong, and then you are right, though entirely by mistake, since you are not right in the sense that you are thinking.

How can i take into account every aspect of a person? Quite easily, there aren't very many aspects.

Possible interpretations? Please. There is reality, and then there is whatever you want to make up because it pleases you. Thats all.

And as for the last line, see the above mention of the nonexistence of opposites and value.

Honestly, if everyone would just read Beyond Good and Evil, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra, i would enver have to explain myself anymore.
 

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