Americans and Mediocrity

[MsMediator]

In light of recent news, do you believe Americans are settling for mediocrity? If so, why is that? Why do the students in certain other countries (particularly India, China, etc.) perform better in school?

Yes, I believe Americans in general settle for mediocrity in part because we have a large lower-middle and middle class. At least in the past, though it is getting more competitive now, one does not need to be too bright to provide well for a family. One can support a whole family pretty well on a lower income (though it is not as possible now especially with increased housing costs). However, in countries with foreign talent such as India and China, there is a wider gap between rich and poor, and increased competition. Everyone values education and works hard, and chooses strategic fields, to have a higher income and higher quality of living. Indians specifically study IT fields not because they love it but so they have a higher chance of obtaining H1B visas. India also has a big advantage because Indians learn English and they speak it very well (though with a strong accent). Other countries in Asia do not have this advantage. I remember in college the Japanese students really struggled with English.

Since, for the most part, we can provide for ourselves pretty well without being overly bright, that could be one reason why there is less reason to really excel in school. There are also other issues, at least in public schools, where the classroom/school environment is not conducive to learning. Dating/relationships especially distract from education. Do you think Christianity also plays a role in Americans being content with not aiming high in education/careers/wealth?

 

[Lynx]

However, in countries with foreign talent such as India and China, there is a wider gap between rich and poor, and increased competition. Everyone values education and works hard, and chooses strategic fields, to have a higher income and higher quality of living. Indians specifically study IT fields not because they love it but so they have a higher chance of obtaining H1B visas. India also has a big advantage because Indians learn English and they speak it very well (though with a strong accent).

You are making blanket statements about large groups of people that you cannot know these things about.

Everyone in India and China works hard? Everyone values education? Everyone chooses strategic fields? Every single person in India and every single person in China does all these things?

 

[shittim]

MsMediator-
Not really, we are to give of our best to the master, and He promises us to prosper us that it be a credit to Him and a sign of His blessing to His own, and that we may be a blessing to others.of a
Seems more of a case of an hour on Sunday and trying to nice rest of the week when His command to we who claim to be His requires us to heal, raise, cleanse, preach, be His hands and feet, doing greater works than He, to "take and hold" until He returns.
It still seems from here that most believe they are His aren't truly His.
Lukewarmness abounds.
The early church in Acts invited and walked in Holy Spirit power and authority, most today have the outward form of Godliness, denying the power.
On fire is what He requires.
How does it look from your perspective?
blessings

 

[Lynx]

MsMediator-
Not really, we are to give of our best to the master, and He promises us to prosper us that it be a credit to Him and a sign of His blessing to His own, and that we may be a blessing to others.of a
Seems more of a case of an hour on Sunday and trying to nice rest of the week when His command to we who claim to be His requires us to heal, raise, cleanse, preach, be His hands and feet, doing greater works than He, to "take and hold" until He returns.
It still seems from here that most believe they are His aren't truly His.
Lukewarmness abounds.
The early church in Acts invited and walked in Holy Spirit power and authority, most today have the outward form of Godliness, denying the power.
On fire is what He requires.
How does it look from your perspective?
blessings

There's a song for that.

Shake me to wake me
I've been living too long
In this fantasy
Shake me to wake me
You gotta strip this man
Of mediocrity

 

[Tall_Timbers]

America has been known for many things, but not mediocrity. That said, given the current state of our education system, a large percentage of our young people aren't prepared for many things in life, least of all a job in the STEM fields.

 

[keepingthingsreal]

Do you think Christianity also plays a role in Americans being content with not aiming high in education/careers/wealth?

I think that true, biblical Christianity plays a role in anybody, American or not, being content with not aiming high in education/careers/wealth.

1Ti 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1Ti 6:13
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good 1Ti 6:14
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Ti 6:15
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
1Ti 6:16
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
1Ti 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

[MsMediator]

America has been known for many things, but not mediocrity. That said, given the current state of our education system, a large percentage of our young people aren't prepared for many things in life, least of all a job in the STEM fields.

You are making blanket statements about large groups of people that you cannot know these things about.

Everyone in India and China works hard? Everyone values education? Everyone chooses strategic fields? Every single person in India and every single person in China does all these things?

I am talking more about education. More Americans and their parents are happy with grades of C or Pass than people from certain other countries. That's why we are hiring from abroad. Everyone in those countries value education with some exceptions.

 

[MsMediator]

America has been known for many things, but not mediocrity. That said, given the current state of our education system, a large percentage of our young people aren't prepared for many things in life, least of all a job in the STEM fields.

A large number of people can't even read. It is safe to say that at least of half of public school high school students don't care about school at all.

 

[shittim]

Way to easy to just by and not work to give of our best to the Master.
Rome got fat dumb and lazy too before they fell.
I am in a state with the highest or near highest literacy rate, still there was a dumbing down in our secondary education, 50 years ago we were told there would soon be the increase in education where Greek and Latin would be given in primary school years, and now like has been posted many cannot read or write.

 

[Eli1]

I was very confused when i first saw this thread since it's all over the place but now that i checked the news i realize what this is about.
It's about this: Musk and Ramaswamy try to clean up MAGA mess after criticizing American culture

So now that i know i can have a response.
Musk and Rmaswamy will have 4 years of the American Season 13 show and then depending on how much dumb stuff or good stuff they do, they might even get an extension by the voters or they'll be replaced by someone else.

Carry on.

 

[Seeker47]

America has been known for many things, but not mediocrity. That said, given the current state of our education system, a large percentage of our young people aren't prepared for many things in life, least of all a job in the STEM fields.

The slide to mediocracy began in 1979 with the creation of the US Department of Education. The slide from the best in the world to just mediocre has been continuous since them. With their pro-union leadership, the imposition of a "Woke Agenda" and the removal of all vestiges of God from the curriculum made the decline inevitable. Americans have never embraced mediocracy. May YHWH help us reject that concept once for all!

 

[daisyseesthesun]

In light of recent news, do you believe Americans are settling for mediocrity? If so, why is that? Why do the students in certain other countries (particularly India, China, etc.) perform better in school?

Yes, I believe Americans in general settle for mediocrity in part because we have a large lower-middle and middle class. At least in the past, though it is getting more competitive now, one does not need to be too bright to provide well for a family. One can support a whole family pretty well on a lower income (though it is not as possible now especially with increased housing costs). However, in countries with foreign talent such as India and China, there is a wider gap between rich and poor, and increased competition. Everyone values education and works hard, and chooses strategic fields, to have a higher income and higher quality of living. Indians specifically study IT fields not because they love it but so they have a higher chance of obtaining H1B visas. India also has a big advantage because Indians learn English and they speak it very well (though with a strong accent). Other countries in Asia do not have this advantage. I remember in college the Japanese students really struggled with English.

Since, for the most part, we can provide for ourselves pretty well without being overly bright, that could be one reason why there is less reason to really excel in school. There are also other issues, at least in public schools, where the classroom/school environment is not conducive to learning. Dating/relationships especially distract from education. Do you think Christianity also plays a role in Americans being content with not aiming high in education/careers/wealth?

Msmediator,

if Americans were smarter, consumer economy wouldn't work. People would care that they spray roundup(glyphosate) on all our food or put harmful chemical additives in them or wouldn't buy unnecessary appliances from stores. If I remember correctly, even the teaching method is the old way the Germans throw away as it didn't work. The government knows it is not good. If we really wanted to teach our children well. It would be arithmetic and then applied mathematics as in other countries, but what we teach is theoretical mathematics first.

Then there's another facet. Americans have it too easy compared to other countries. If a Chinese, Indian, or Korean student gets bad grades, forget about ever getting into a good college. They will either be a police officer or in manual labour. This could be anything from being a garbage man to being a cleaning lady, but in China, were there is little human right, a person could be in an industrial trube fastening it in place before they pour cement, working hard until he has worn his fingers down that they no longer have nails this in the suffering of the Chinese people. Then, if you do get into a good college, the competition is steep. You may be competing with a thousand other applicants for the same job. Compared to them, in America, we are so fortunate.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

I am talking more about education. More Americans and their parents are happy with grades of C or Pass than people from certain other countries. That's why we are hiring from abroad. Everyone in those countries value education with some exceptions.

The grades aren't super relevant. The only kids getting an education today are the ones who have an environment at home that is supportive of education, probably somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of students... the ones who are in college prep/honors classes (whatever they're called in a person's local area). The rest are just being baby sat so whether they get an A or a C really doesn't matter. It's sad. I saw this first hand over a couple of decades as I volunteered in my kid's schools all the way from K-12.

A large number of people can't even read. It is safe to say that at least of half of public school high school students don't care about school at all.

Yep. Our school district was considered the best in town and the majority of graduating High school students were able to read/write at about a third grade level.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Way to easy to just by and not work to give of our best to the Master.
Rome got fat dumb and lazy too before they fell.
I am in a state with the highest or near highest literacy rate, still there was a dumbing down in our secondary education, 50 years ago we were told there would soon be the increase in education where Greek and Latin would be given in primary school years, and now like has been posted many cannot read or write.

I don't think our younger folks whom the education system failed are lazy as a whole. Like generations before them, they're hard working folks... they just didn't get educated beyond a third world level, and that's going to be with them for all of their lives.

 

[RodB651]

In light of recent news, do you believe Americans are settling for mediocrity?

I do think the bar has been lowered. I see a lot of high school age kids come into the factory and they struggle with basic task. They have mastered empathy and other woke terminology though.

Fortunately, we do seem to have a few who are pursuing math, science, and economics to at least keep us functioning. I'm glad that there are enough engineers available to keep Elon's rockets launching and his satellites orbiting. We also have enough economists to keep the economy working.

(Rant begins here) Meanwhile, we should be content little peons. We should work for meager salaries, pay all those taxes, overpay for cars and mortgages and groceries, and mind our business I suppose... we gotta stay on this side of the fence and let them stay on that side of the fence or something like that... (Rant ends here) 😁

 

[Seeker47]

I do think the bar has been lowered. I see a lot of high school age kids come into the factory and they struggle with basic task. They have mastered empathy and other woke terminology though.

Fortunately, we do seem to have a few who are pursuing math, science, and economics to at least keep us functioning. I'm glad that there are enough engineers available to keep Elon's rockets launching and his satellites orbiting. We also have enough economists to keep the economy working.

(Rant begins here) Meanwhile, we should be content little peons. We should work for meager salaries, pay all those taxes, overpay for cars and mortgages and groceries, and mind our business I suppose... we gotta stay on this side of the fence and let them stay on that side of the fence or something like that... (Rant ends here) 😁

Oh....I really like the rant. The fence needs to come down, beginning with "Congress". These "People" will not stop "Insider Trading" in congress, but still lock-up citizens for doing the very same thing. (Sorry Martha). Then the "Leader" of our nation make laws, but exempt themselves from those laws. When they do get caught stealing or acting perverse, the prosecutor declines to file charges. (I guess it is not illegal to have gay sex in the Halls of Congress on taxpayer time)! I could go on to Jussie Smollett, Daniel Penny, Derek Chauvin, Kyle Rittenhouse and, dare I say it......J6!

Now that's a rant!

 

[Lynx]

Oh....I really like the rant. The fence needs to come down, beginning with "Congress". These "People" will not stop "Insider Trading" in congress, but still lock-up citizens for doing the very same thing. (Sorry Martha). Then the "Leader" of our nation make laws, but exempt themselves from those laws. When they do get caught stealing or acting perverse, the prosecutor declines to file charges. (I guess it is not illegal to have gay sex in the Halls of Congress on taxpayer time)! I could go on to Jussie Smollett, Daniel Penny, Derek Chauvin, Kyle Rittenhouse and, dare I say it......J6!

Now that's a rant!

In all these matters I have made three observations:

#1. It's not my fault.
#2. There's nothing I personally can do about it.
#3. Even if I could do something about it, I don't know the whole story in any of these situations and almost certainly never will.
#4. Ergo it does no good at all for me to dwell on any of these matters. It only raises my blood pressure.

Did you notice? There was nothing in there about whether or not it affects me personally. That should never have any bearing on whether good is done or evil is stopped. But it wouldn't matter in this case anyway because of number two.

 

[tourist]

A large number of people can't even read. It is safe to say that at least of half of public school high school students don't care about school at all.

Your estimation is most likely on target. A lot of kids out of high school have a poor work ethic and do not know how to conduct themselves at work. This has been my observation through the years. A lot of them are lazy as well. Not the least bit impressed with the product coming out of high school.

 

[Karlon]

In light of recent news, do you believe Americans are settling for mediocrity? If so, why is that? Why do the students in certain other countries (particularly India, China, etc.) perform better in school?

Yes, I believe Americans in general settle for mediocrity in part because we have a large lower-middle and middle class. At least in the past, though it is getting more competitive now, one does not need to be too bright to provide well for a family. One can support a whole family pretty well on a lower income (though it is not as possible now especially with increased housing costs). However, in countries with foreign talent such as India and China, there is a wider gap between rich and poor, and increased competition. Everyone values education and works hard, and chooses strategic fields, to have a higher income and higher quality of living. Indians specifically study IT fields not because they love it but so they have a higher chance of obtaining H1B visas. India also has a big advantage because Indians learn English and they speak it very well (though with a strong accent). Other countries in Asia do not have this advantage. I remember in college the Japanese students really struggled with English.

Since, for the most part, we can provide for ourselves pretty well without being overly bright, that could be one reason why there is less reason to really excel in school. There are also other issues, at least in public schools, where the classroom/school environment is not conducive to learning. Dating/relationships especially distract from education. Do you think Christianity also plays a role in Americans being content with not aiming high in education/careers/wealth?

what is the highest salary that you think is a low income in America for 1 person & for a family of four? definitely yes to your last ? i see it here on CC. many people eat lesser foods such as macdonald's or burger king, watch tv often, don't go anywhere, have no hobbies, stay home, etc. i know plenty of people who could have had abundant careers but were lazy & without ambition. 1 person in particular, has lived the past 31 years as a waste. he eats, sleeps & watches tv!

 

[SomeDisciple]

Why do the students in certain other countries (particularly India, China, etc.) perform better in school?

Kek.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_India
Education in India is plagued by issues such as grade inflation,[11] corruption, unaccredited institutions offering fraudulent credentials and lack of employment prospects for graduates.[12][13] Half of all graduates in India are considered unemployable.[14]

One can support a whole family pretty well on a lower income (though it is not as possible now especially with increased housing costs).

Your parenthetical weighs WAY more than the statement that precedes it. Homeownership is baseline to a heathy, productive, and innovative lifestyle. (homeownership, or any living situation that affords the same amount of autonomy)

Since, for the most part, we can provide for ourselves pretty well without being overly bright, that could be one reason why there is less reason to really excel in school.

Why would we want to excel in something that's run by a bunch of ultra-liberal scumlords?