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I, Hikikomori
Nov. 24th, 2006 07:51 pmOne of two stories concerning Japan's Otaku, and
another, both presented on NPR today.
My mother and I talked at length about the underlying situation that leads to such lost generations. I said, "If you set your standards too strict, you only breed more misfits." That and "the only test that really counts is how well you get along with others." We both agreed that it is the one failing of No Child Left Behind...the concept enforces thinking within-the-box, when it was thinking-outside-the-box that made America a great invention culture for so long. We need to be better creative thinkers...and we need to be better citizens. No Child Left Behind doesn't address either issue.
I was one of the withdrawn, introverted types...and I guess I still am, with good reason. I've been a misfit pretty much all my life. Why should I go out all the time and try to impose myself on strangers? Why should I believe that there is somebody out there for me, when all the evidence I see is to the contrary?
But at least I have more slack here to work with than somebody in my same situation in Japan. They have a load more social baggage to carry. Americans don't have that problem because we're mutts. We're the people bred from those kicked out of everyplace else. America is at its best when we remember this and tolerate our differences, recognize that being diverse is a strength.
Did I mention that in Sci-Fi, I hate homogenized alien societies? I guess that's one thing that keeps me from being a Trekkie.
More to come.
FP
another, both presented on NPR today.
My mother and I talked at length about the underlying situation that leads to such lost generations. I said, "If you set your standards too strict, you only breed more misfits." That and "the only test that really counts is how well you get along with others." We both agreed that it is the one failing of No Child Left Behind...the concept enforces thinking within-the-box, when it was thinking-outside-the-box that made America a great invention culture for so long. We need to be better creative thinkers...and we need to be better citizens. No Child Left Behind doesn't address either issue.
I was one of the withdrawn, introverted types...and I guess I still am, with good reason. I've been a misfit pretty much all my life. Why should I go out all the time and try to impose myself on strangers? Why should I believe that there is somebody out there for me, when all the evidence I see is to the contrary?
But at least I have more slack here to work with than somebody in my same situation in Japan. They have a load more social baggage to carry. Americans don't have that problem because we're mutts. We're the people bred from those kicked out of everyplace else. America is at its best when we remember this and tolerate our differences, recognize that being diverse is a strength.
Did I mention that in Sci-Fi, I hate homogenized alien societies? I guess that's one thing that keeps me from being a Trekkie.
More to come.
FP
