I WOULD BE REALLY HAPPY IF:

• All DACA young people received ten-year green cards
• An increased number of professors liked teaching more than doing research or writing
• Aaron Judge led the Yankees to a World Series championship
• All the families and WKBJ alumni who have welcomed me into their homes and hearts knew how much I value being part of their lives
• Amazon and pornography were not so readily accessible
• Acceptance of alternative lifestyles did not seem to require actually liking them
• A Universal Basic Income policy received more attention as an alternative/modification of our current welfare system
• Angela, Juan, and Camilo find happiness in Houston
• Babies were born to two equally committed, loving parents
• Barnes & Noble is serious about having more books and fewer toys and games in its stores
• Colleges reworked their model to sharply lower their cost of attendance
• Capital punishment was abolished, replaced by a mandatory life sentence and a requirement to listen for 10 hours every day to Christmas carols and WFAN sports legend, Mike Franscesa
• Christian Pulisic becomes the leading goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund
• Claudia and Patricia never lose their smiles
• David Wright retires from active status and reappears as a major league manager
• Daylight Savings Time was abolished
• Dealing with the country’s systemic poverty would be the task of all of us
• Distinctions could be drawn between accidental situations and malfeasance
• Damaris finds joy in her new job
• English remains the official language of government at each level above that of county
• Every student being helped by the WKBJ Foundation accomplishes his or her goal
• Former United States Congressmen were barred from being lobbyists or deriving financial benefit by associating with lobbyists for ten years
• Faith is always Faith, the most unique young girl I have ever met
• Fewer people found solace in both legal and illegal drugs
• Fundamentalist religion stations were not disproportionately represented among the nation’s high powered radio outlets
• Facts mattered and the “New York Times” labeled more of its “news” stories as op ed pieces
• Grace was not reserved for special occasions
• Hillary’s geography advisors had identified middle America and contacted people there
• Isms were never used as word endings in describing complex philosophies
• Immigrant advocacy organizations publicly supported the deportation of undocumented individuals who have been convicted of felonies
• It was as difficult to get a gun permit as it is to get past the security desk at JP Morgan
• In the next presidential election, there was somebody I could vote for
• JJ, MZ, and KM get their books published
• Jay is successful in beating back the GEICO advertising onslaught
• Kindness was a habit, not an occasion for a photo op
• Katie’s extended stay in South America is as rewarding as hoped
• La Sierra, which sells coffee for $1.45, would expand and Starbucks would contract
• Local job-creating entrepreneurs received as much attention as lottery winners
• Lionel Messi comes to the MLS to finish his career
• Mariana is able to put Mindfulness into Action in Ecuador
• More than 1/3 of full-time employees were engaged in their jobs
• My family, whom I love completely, forgives me for my past transgressions and realizes they had nothing to do with parental love
• Marijuana was freely available to everybody suffering from cancer
• My small town newsstand had so much demand for the “Wall Street Journal” that it had to stock more than one copy
• My adherence to MyFitnessPal does not wane
• More social value decisions were made at a level of government below that of Washington
• My basketball assist to turnover ratio does not dip below 2.5 and my shooting below 45%
• Non-profit foundations had automatic closure dates 33 years from inception
• Nora gets accepted at a college of her choice
• One day per week, chosen by the individual, was dedicated to not buying anything
• President Trump selects which of his residencies he would like to occupy long term as a private citizen, beginning immediately
• People regarded their iDevices as means to various ends, not ends in and of themselves
• PW, CG, and DO learn enough English to pursue their careers
• Pete Rose is inducted into the newly-named “Scoundrel” wing of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, where he is joined retroactively by Ty Cobb et al
• Parents put their phones away when eating with their children
• Queries elicited answers
• Religious/media/entertainment/political hypocrites were publicly stoned
• Somebody had a plan for confronting the country’s numerous financial and social challenges
• Soda beverages were seriously taxed
• Some inspirational topic besides jobs would be a co-centerpiece of a political platform
• Schools had no governance labels, there was universal transparency and complete school choice
• Somebody would devise a healthcare plan with valid accounting principles
• Tax reform would (a) treat all types of income the same, (b) institute a wealth tax, (c) increase the number of estates subject to tax, (d) mandate a minimum cash rate for corporate taxes, and (e) ease the way through a three-way split among company, IRS, and stockholders for the repatriation of American corporate cash currently held abroad
• There were fewer lawyers, especially in Congress
• Tweeting was restricted to birds and emergencies
• True environmentalists began their proselytizing by selling their second homes
• The word “like” could not be used by teenagers
• The Door offered even more value-added programs to its young people
• The “f” word was treated as a valued component of dialogue and therefore reserved for situations involving exceptionally strong emotions
• Those I love – heck, even those I do not love — have a healthy 2018
• The United States could not enter a war without each supporting Congressman having an extended family member in the military or National Guard
• Tom Brady, Roger Federer, and LeBron James could play forever
• Uncommon Schools finds and trains enough teachers to continue delivering a high quality education to its students
• Vanity was restricted to those who have accomplished something; actually, it should be avoided
• We judged people on the “content of their character,” not their pigmentation
• We ceased adding car lanes when the whole approach to transportation is changing
• XYZ gets more work done on “An Outlier Individual”
• Youthfulness was recognized as not being exclusive to the chronologically young
• Zzzzzzz: sleepy at last; enough 6am creativity

 

 

 

But first, a brief “you gotta be kidding” observation.

In Washington, D.C., on Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from a famous government structure, there are two great buildings inscribed with the words of their rich occupants: the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Across the street, there is a small park. At dinner time, a van pulls up to distribute hot meals to the homeless people who make it their business to get there for some nutritious, free food, maybe their only real meal of the day. With a single camera shot, the optics of wealth disparity are in your face.  Yeah, I know it is complicated, and I am glossing over some details, but come on, is not the big picture completely unsettling!

*Anyway, here are some thoughts from “How to be a Stoic.”

Separate what is and what is not within your power. This approach assists tranquility.

Contemplate the broader picture. It keeps things in perspective

Think in advance about the challenges you may face during the day. Avoids being upset by stuff.

Be mindful of the here and now. Let go of the past and do not worry about the future.

Write in a personal philosophical diary. This helps you learn from experiences and to forgive mistakes.

*Good advice from “The Vanishing American Adult.”

Embrace the pain of work. Manual jobs are cathartic and good for your health.

Become truly literate, which means comprehending what you read.

Travel meaningfully, which means to experience the unfamiliar.

Connect across generations. A recent survey revealed that in the last six months, only 25% of people over 60 years-old have discussed an important subject with somebody under the age of 36.

Resist consumption: separate needs from wants.

*Why visit campuses before deciding to apply

Get a feel for the physical layout

Talk with current students

Sit in on a class

Gain your own take on diversity

*Why be early to a meeting with a professor, mentor, prospective employer, club you are trying to join:

Shows intentionality

Demonstrates respect for the agenda of things to be done

If the other party decides to interact with you ahead of schedule, you have that much more time to impress. One of the key ways to do so is by asking questions, especially those of the “why” variety (you should already have the basic factual stuff from reading a website).

*Why consistently see your college advisor

You care more about your schedule and your desire to graduate on-time than the advisor does; you must make doubly sure that the advice is credible.  As one observer put it, there is a “soft arrogance” of people who have protected jobs and their willingness to think through your situation is not guaranteed.

 

 

At a given point in time, demographic projections have a greater degree of usability than the data derived from most other crystal ball gazing. For example, calculating historical returns in the stock market is heavily influenced by the starting point; it is possible to go for twenty years with a subpar compound return, even when the much longer pattern shows attractive results.  Weather forecasters have become much better in telling us of near-term conditions, but demographers still have them beat from a long-term standpoint. The reason is fairly simple: a person of a certain age has a high probability of becoming a year older in the next 365 days, and thirty years older in three decades, and so forth.

The data below, compiled from information reported by the Pew Hispanic Research Center, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, thus tell a story that is not connected to future immigration policy nor likely to be altered by any sudden seismic shifts in birth or mortality rates, even with some interesting changes happening therein.

As the population numbers unfold, within the next quarter century, the United States will in all probability not have any ethnic majority. The multiple minority description will become accurate nationally as it already is in certain age categories in certain geographies.

Considering the relationship of population composition to political power, the “only” question of importance then is whether power will transfer peacefully. Most historians would have a fair amount of skepticism. And for sure, some will point to the election of Donald Trump as a sign that this country is in for a series of difficult confrontations. Extremists might say that a curtain hiding an American myth (superiority gained ethically) will be pulled back and our warts will be evident for all to see. Our best days could be thought to be behind us, without even considering our relative standing globally.

Against this gloomy picture, the dollar remains the strongest currency extant and people around the world want to come here for jobs, freedom of speech, and a greater sense of personal security. Hence those predicting a decline in America’s position have to be looking at an important change from the present condition. But that is what they pay experts for, to tell us the future will be different from the past. Hopefully (for their jobs) they will be more accurate than the pollsters who erred big-time on Brexit, Santos, and Trump.

In this regard, a naïve person might think that demographic data would be supportive, or at least suggestive, of specific policy recommendations. However, in the current anti-intellectual cauldron which exists in many strata of the American population, beginning with an odd duality — the very top of our political structure and our college campuses in many cases — data-free pontification is the norm, often accompanied by more virulent threats than simply “you do not understand.”

Anyway, maybe it would help to begin with a series of demographic observations, loosely lumped under the headings of Population, Societal, and Economics.  And leaving aside interesting conversations about metrics of success – some combination of peace, economic enhancement, and happiness would seem apropos – just for kicks, let’s categorize these data points as negative (N), positive (P), no real change (NRC), or simply different (SD), recognizing there would be much debate over the word “simply.”

POPULATION

• Of people at least 85 years of age, 82% are white, 18% non-white. For each five-year age bracket downward, the former number declines and the latter rises. At the 0-5 year-old age level, the split is basically 50%-50%. SD
• Growth in population is the lowest since that of the Great Depression. N
• More whites are dying than are being born in 1/3 of states. SD
• There is a decline in the number of white women in child-bearing age and they are having fewer babies per woman. SD
• Some 65% of immigrants are 25-64 years of age, compared with 52% of the native born population; a mere 5% are over 65 years old, one-third of the rate for the native-born sector. SD

• In the next two decades, the number of people > 70 years of age will double to 60 million. N
• At age 65, men live 19 years more; women 21 years. NRC
• According to Pew, the foreign born portion of the population will be 18% in 2065, up from 14% in 2015. The second generation category will be 18%, up from 12%. The white population will be 46%, down from 62% in 2015. SD
• Over 40% of American births are to unmarried U.S.-born women. N
• Millennials are 31% of the white population, 44% of the Hispanic population. (The largest single age cohort overall is that of 26 year-olds, 4.8 million.) SD

SOCIETAL

• One-fifth of 25-32 year-olds have no father figure in their lives and one-quarter of young adults lack an active relationship with more than one parent. N
• While there is a rising percentage of individuals who have never married or who are divorced or separated, still in their first marriage are 69% of college graduates. However, this is nearly double the 38% rate for those who did not finish high school. N
• In the 1950s, 20% of households moved within a year; this level was true as recently as 1985. Now the number is 10%, a reflection of both economics and cultural balkanization. SD

• For the first time in 130 years, 18-34 year-olds are slightly more likely to live with their parents than with a spouse or partner in their own house. SD
• In 1972, 46% of those surveyed believed that “most people could be trusted.” In 2016: 31%. N
• In 1967, 3% of newlyweds were intermarried; now, it is 17%. SD

ECONOMICS

• Compensation levels for half of 30 year-olds are the same as those of their parents; in 1970, 90% were above. Offspring overall no longer believe they will out-earn their parents. N
• People 65-75 years of age have five times the debt of twenty years ago. N
• The net worth of 55-64 year-olds (middle quintile) in 2013 was $168,900, barely above the inflation-adjusted $175,300 of 1989. Some 44% had debt, versus 30% in 1998. N
• Home ownership rate is at a 50-year low; there is an increasing percentage of home rentals, now at 37%, up from 31% in 2006. In 1965, it was 37% also. (Much of the increase represents a lifestyle decision, as rent can be greater than the cost of a mortgage.) SD
• One-quarter of millennials reportedly have delayed buying a house because of student debt. N

• Affluent parents are pouring money into the away-from-school category of education. Not unrelated, some 70% of kids at the top 200 colleges are from the top income quartile. NRC
• Of 18-64 year-olds, 55% have full-time jobs. One-fifth of men of this age are on Medicaid. N
• Half of American jobs pay $37,000 or less per year, including 25% with compensation under $23,000. (For comparison, a family of four at $32,000 qualifies for SNAP benefits. In contrast, the top 20% of income recipients earn $200,000 per year on average.) N
• Mothers are the primary breadwinners in 25% of households. SD
• Some 46% of households with mother and father in the house have both employed full-time. N
• In 1973, median income, inflation adjusted, of men working full-time was $54,030. In 2016, that figure is only $51,640. N

Dear Editor: I realize that individual essays could be written about all of the data points listed above, another time perhaps. Similarly, to try to envision say, the year 2050, and work backwards based on demographic inputs to arrive at cogent comments about “what then shall we do today” is beyond my capability. My bet is that most people do not have in their heads the bullet point information above, so this essay may be considered a public service (just joking).

 

 

It’s simple.

Get yourself to JFK Airport in New York City. Board a Qatar Airlines A-350 and fly 11 hours to Doha, the capital of Qatar and site of one of the world’s finest airports. After a couple of hours attempting to avoid  the high-priced shops and restaurants in the terminal, take your seat on another Qatar jet and fly four hours to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, one of the poorest countries on the planet.

Set your watch nine hours ahead. Yes, for those keeping score, it has taken you a day to arrive at this tiny, landlocked nation. You disembark somewhat heavier as the result of three stupendous meals served in courteous fashion by Qatar’s exemplary staff.

Then, take a Buddha Airlines wing-over-fuselage plane — without uttering a prayer (the Man himself was born in Nepal, but his birthplace was flooded last month, so no tourist visits are currently feasible.) Some 45 minutes later, you arrive at the Chandragadi Airport.  Along the way, you cannot believe your good fortune: there in the distance is the legendary Mt. Everest, rising far above the level of your airplane.

Next: hop in a Range Rover type vehicle driven by a Nepali, who could probably take people up any mountain around given his skills in navigating the pitfalls of a road marked by more potholes than the total in New Jersey. Three hours later, your insides trying to remember what it felt like to be in the same position for more than a few seconds, you arrive in Ilam, the famous tea-growing region of Nepal. Its more illustrious cousin, Darjeeling (50 miles away across the border with India), got hit by the same flood as the Man and is likewise off limits at the moment.

Your hotel is nicely situated in the middle of town. It has a good bed, the strongest door locking mechanism in the world, an erratic Internet system, somewhat sketchy food – great tea though – and, at checkout, accepts only rupees, each of which is worth roughly a penny.

Now, camera at the ready, you take a walk, and at a certain random point veer off the main tourist path, where you erroneously believe you might be mistaken for a dollar sign. Instead, you call on sturdy leg muscles to take you down a hair pin turn/concrete “road” and then off on dirt paths that lead to, among other things, a school. In the space next to an existing classroom, an older lady is busy mixing cement for a presumed expansion.

Then some added fun begins: you have to walk up that steep road to get back to civilization, in this case sitting in on a World Bank presentation involving local business people. The legs strain, sweat pours off your brow and you wonder about the number of beats your heart is being asked to pump. Maybe two-thirds of the way up, the thought of rest and water takes hold of your entire mind and body.

There it is, one of those little shops situated where you wonder how they do enough business to survive. You go to it, with a great show of being desperate for water. The owner returns with a glass full of delightful cool liquid as you ignore the pre-trip warning to not drink water from the tap in Nepal.

How do you turn down such a gracious offer, especially when the proprietor’s t-shirt says what everyone   should want to witness and be part of  ………….. “A World without Strangers.”

 

 

AMERICA                                       AMERICA                                       AMERICA

          OFF-LINE!!!                           OFF-LINE!!!                 OFF-LINE!!!

          

 Back Story and Introduction:

 The original version of this essay incredibly stretches back more than fifteen years, with a refresh halfway between then and 2017. At inception, historians will recall that AOL was top dog in the unfolding world of e-mail and the Internet, hence the prompt for an idea I labeled America Off-Line (AOFL). After I somewhat polished the first draft, AOFL promptly took its rightful place among a bunch of half-baked, semi-used, and incredibly good potential essays gathering dust in a desk drawer (already you can tell the extent of my technical capabilities; a more current person would have said there was no dust because the essays resided in something called “the cloud” —  which, however, only existed in the skies at that time.)

 Anyway, periodically I do open said “drawer” and rifle through its contents, fantasizing that inspiration will combine with whatever is already on “paper” to produce — something worthwhile! Having previously written  about the false God of Consumption and being somewhat jaundiced about all the benefits of Techno-World, it seemed natural to re-visit the logic of going off-line.

 Thus, trumpets blaring – in my mind anyway, below, after some commentary, is a starting list of rules aimed at going off-line. Think of them as Step One in a Ten Step program to becoming a healthier person — AOFL Anonymous as it were. Readers are invited to make suggestions as to additional rules.  

 In today’s iDevice world, as people scroll for the appropriate application for that moment in their lives, click on their Facebook page, or sit transfixed in their computer cubicles at office or home, everything seems straightforward and easy: a steady stream of data bits somehow arrives in that magical iDevice and is displayed on a screen.

Presto, you think you are with it, informed, ready to interact, have fun, make decisions, do whatever. You are “on-line” with whomever (can be a huge number of strangers, many of whom “like” you without ever having had the pleasure of meeting you) or whatever you choose.

For some people, however, being on-line in this technological/psychological universe is regarded as an endorsement of the lifestyle expectations apparently shared by the vast majority of Americans — even those who voice concerns about excessive debt levels, the deleterious nature of our consumption ethic, and the damage being done to the environment by our adherence to the philosophy of “more is better.”

To anticipate perpetual economic growth in the United States, as most do, one must believe in the continual obsolescence of not only cars and clothes but ideas as well, and — that flood of data on your iDevice, virtually commanding you to do or think — something.

To be on-line in this world is to be a subscriber to a paradigm of constant change and incessant consumerism. It is a perpetual game of gin rummy which one cannot win. To be a subscriber is eventually to be ill at ease, for one can never stay current with someone else’s definition of what one must know, possess and do with one’s time, energy, and money.

It is time to log off of this view of life. It is time for AMERICA OFF-LINE!!!

Creating rules for logging off is difficult — the iDevice world has brought together a whole series of communication/information/entertainment devices that collectively convey a “how-can-we-live-without-them” mentality. Were I to espouse dropping any of these incredible products, then for sure the accusation of “Luddite” would be hurled at this writer. My fragile psyche would be smashed, so I will leave such thoughts to true radicals!

AMERICA OFF-LINE!!! seeks to resurrect a different and more fundamental idea: that what and who you are is more important than how fast you can access what somebody else deems important to you, because that knowledge is predominantly being used by others for the accumulation of possessions, money, and power. (One could say that in some ways, nothing  about historical norms of inequality has really changed, only the mechanism!)

The list below delineates some practical guidelines, in no order of importance. They represent cloth to be cut to your shape. Do not worry: no salesman will call beseeching you to order your very own bound copy of the rules of AMERICA OFF-LINE!!!

Establish house rules with respect to time spent on iDevices. Any set of rules will undoubtedly be superior to an absence of guidelines; if you saw the survey results of how many hours kids spend on social media and juxta-positioned those with international academic test results, you might recognize the need for change.  The American educational system is broken; it is time to establish priorities on how people (of all ages) use their time.

Do not have more than one conventional elevision in your house. Television is an unending advertisement for a singular way of life: consumption—of things and people.

If you have a choice between an interstate highway and a secondary road, choose the latter at least half the time. Johnny’s Hot Dog Stand needs your patronage; McDonald’s has enough.

Do not own more than three credit/debit cards. Reduce consumption, increase spirituality or at least appreciation for non-monetary involvements, cut interest costs.

Have one purchase-free day per week. Try it, you will like it.

When eating dinner at home or at a restaurant with your family, every iDevice must be turned off. Twenty years down the road,  you do not want to say, “I wish I had talked with my kids more when they were with me.”

Per family, own only one car less than five years old. Send a statement you are receding from consumption predicated on envy, guilt, and other negative influences.

You must spend at least one hour per day with each of your children, without any accompanying iDevices. “Quality time!”               

For every minute you use an iDevice to record your child’s activities, you must spend two minutes watching without said device. The memory of the heart has to be more important than that of the succession of digits.

 Lie on your back looking at the clouds once a week. Your spirits will soar at the wondrous sight and you will become better able to keep things in perspective.

 Do not purchase more than one piece of Disney merchandise per year. This stimulates creative and independent thinking by parents, and helps to raise children who will be off-line.

 You cannot text somebody you could be speaking to at that moment. Quick and easy is not at all synonymous with successful interaction or the meaning of true friendship.

 Limit your trips to the shopping mall to once a month. Uh, let’s see: more time to look at the clouds, anti-consumption ethic made operational, etc. etc.

 If a program, whether on conventional television or an iDevice, is showing an activity you could be doing at that time, you must turn off the program and do the activity. This is healthier for the mind and body.

 Process information you need to convey to somebody else in a timely fashion (otherwise known as – do the important stuff first), then mail it through the USPS.  Yes, I know FedEx is easy and perhaps more reliable, for which you pay a price of course. The point is to shift your mentality in the direction of get it done, then relax, not obsess about hyper-delivery speed.

 Ignore the airline’s attempt to stay abreast of all advances in Techno World.  Relax, read a book, even if on an iDevice! (see, I am not am extremist).

 Be direct (not profane, unless selective and made mandatory by the caller’s attitude) with salespeople who contact you at home, especially during dinner. The “telephone” is your line, not theirs; besides, you can somewhat control this intrusion, unlike the automatic marketing pitches which accompany every click on the Internet.

 Dispense with your home alarm and shun living in a gated community. Now that you have dropped the consumption ethic, your fears about security do not need to be actuated.

 Do not use a garage door opener. Along with sensible eating, absence of smoking, and adequate exercise elsewhere, opening the door yourself reduces doctor bills.

 Nix on the car phone. The accident rates are like those of drunks.

 Do not buy externally-branded merchandise. Criminy! There is enough advertising already.

 Eat slower.  Studies have shown that countries which eat faster have higher economic growth, but we no longer want that, do we! — do we?

 Boycott ATMs. It will make you think harder about consumption patterns, which relate to priorities and usage of time.

 Make an annual examination of your iDevice inventory and play the age-old game of “need” versus “want” prior to reducing what you own–or what owns you – or what you thought you needed to buy. P.S. Recycling will never solve the environmental problem; reduction of initial purchases is required.

 Almost forgot, READ. Use of printed materials by young people averages 38 minutes a day.

Books in the house are, duh, correlated with better educational outcomes. Half of heavy electronic media users among young people reportedly have a C average or less, twice the rate of light users.

 Periodically substitute a handwritten letter for an iDevice method of communication. Aw gosh, I’m a real softie — such a format grabs the heart and gets incremental attention and response. Everything good.

 In compiling these rules, I did exclude one suggestion: turn off the internet!

Only kidding; I wanted to get your attention.

I mean, what a totally ridiculous idea. Before the Internet, reading scores for American students were the same as today, pornography was a smaller industry, and excess consumer spending was more difficult to accomplish. Healthcare costs were lower and the federal deficit was a fraction of today’s level. The incidence of wars and human atrocities was similar.

Why would anyone want the pre-Internet world!

Please: no letters, comments, diatribes about the difference between cause and effect, correlation compared with causation, and other intellectual concepts. Relax, take a chill pill!

Understand the real meaning of AMERICA OFF-LINE!!!

It is to get you to stop tweeting and start reflecting on your life!

 

 

Phase One: I sent the open-ended questions below to a half-dozen students.

*How does Google affect your level of curiosity?

*Describe what it is in life that you are most curious about; how do you satisfy that curiosity?

*Is curiosity purely an individual endeavor or can it be stimulated through group discussions?

*Which geographical area of the world are you most curious about?   Why?

*Do you think curiosity among young people is rising, falling, or staying the same? Why?

*What is the impact of social media on curiosity?

*What are examples from your own life that have brought you, or somebody you know, unusual positive or negative results as a consequence of being curious?

Phase Two: I sent the specific inquiries below to four students, whose replies are indicated.

What % of Hillary voters stopped using UBER because of its treatment of women?

4 … 4 … 17 … 7

What % of Trump voters stopped using UBER because of its treatment of women?

2 … 1 … 3 … 3

If zoning laws permitted it, what % of homeowners having at least two acres would welcome a homeless person living there in a separate mini-house (200 sq. ft)?

1 … 11 … 10 … 2

In a gated community, what % of the residents would vote in favor of forced ethnic diversity?

6… 17 … 5 … 7

What % of contributors to environmental groups are owners of multiple residences and cars?

15 … 67 … 40 … 15

What % of the billionaire members of the Giving Pledge would fund a non-profit, healthy food supermarket in a public housing neighborhood?

30 … 28 … 60 … 15

What % of millennials would not buy the newest iPhone because doing so contributes to income inequality (Apple’s leading shareholders get even richer)?

2 … 6 … 35 … 3

What % of the members of the NY Times Editorial Board would welcome a Syrian refugee into their house to live for an undetermined length of time, without asking any questions whatsoever?

45 … 0 … 40 … 3

What % of the media would be fired for using the N-word?

65 … 70 … 30 … 32

What % of the Trump administration would be fired for using the N-word?

0 … 0 … 10 … 7

Phase Three: I sent the specific inquiries below to four students; initially, replies were inadequate . Then I provided bracketed choices: 0-10% (which meant I put the answer at 5%), 11-25% (18%), 26-50% (38%), and >50% (75%). This brought in more inputs.

What % of students regard colleges as businesses?

33 … 18 … 38 …75 … 75 … 75

What % of music executives would reject a song full of obscenities and disrespect to women?

38 … 5 … 9 … 5 … 18 … 18

What % of whites help minorities because the former feel guilty over historical misdeeds?

18 … 75 … 18 … 5 … 18 … 5

What % of Hollywood executives would reject a violent movie theme because they are in favor of tighter gun control?

50 … 5 … 5 … 18 … 5 … 18

What % of people change their minds after learning more about the facts of immigration?

85 … 18 … 5 … 75 …18 … 38

What % of people believe that the Far Left and the Far Right are similar in their likelihood to engage in violence?

90 … 18 … 18 … 38 … 38 … 5

Response to Open-ended Questions (1 of 6)

1: Google affects my level of curiosity in a positive way because whenever I am curious about a topic whether it involves symptoms I may be experiencing to information on other countries I know Google has answers. It makes me more curious to think about anything because it is such an easy access and I know I’ll get the answers in less than a minute and that’s incredible. It makes it easier for me to be curious.

2: One thing I am most curious about is the future, not necessary my future but the future in general. For example, I am always thinking about how much technology will affect generations after me. My mother always says “when I was your age I didn’t have this or that” the this and that is cell phones, google, social media. I am always thinking about what will be my “this” and “that”, what will I say to my children in the future. I feel like we have everything right now, advanced smart phones. Technology just keeps advancing and it makes me thinks how fast and complex technology will get in the future. I satisfy my curiosity by keeping up with technology, at least I try too. I also enjoy watching the show “Black Mirror” the episodes have to do with what the future might be. It is a very interesting show.

3: I think curiosity can definitely be personal however, it can also be stimulated through group discussions. It should be encouraged more because we should be open to other’s curiosity because it can feed our curiosity and or start up other curiosities.

4: I am most curious about Egypt, I always wonder how the pyramids are being preserved and curious about the culture there.

5: I feel like the level of curiosity is staying the same or falling in certain areas (geographically), most teenagers don’t challenge themselves, they just want to follow the crowd and not think for themselves. However, that is not every person, there are others who question everything and that curiosity leads them to good things. I feel like it has to do a lot with who you surround yourself and the experiences you experience.

6: Social Media does have an impact on curiosity, social media can lead to changes in your curiosity. Nowadays, there is so much on social media and that can definitely encourage you to challenge your curiosity and make changes in the world.

7: I have challenged myself to being more curious, and one positive consequence that I have gained from being curious is looking at careers. I know I’d like to work with children and recently I took the time to research careers in the medical field that engage children, I got a variety of careers and it opened up choices. It is also a sort of negative consequence because now I have many more choices and I have to start narrowing it down. Another example of an unusual negative is a friend of my mine was curious about a fight that was occurring outside, she went outside never expecting what would result of her curiosity. As she was outside she received a bullet on her lower abdomen and since then she’s still having health issues due to that day and her curiosity.

Response to Open-ended Questions (2 of 6)  

*How does Google affect your level of curiosity?

Google helps fuel our curiosity because when we search one thing thousands of links appear using different words providing greater information. Google’s settings help predetermine what kind of words people are going to search from the minute they write the first word. This influences the order people choose to search words in as it produces different search results.

*Describe what it is in life that you are most curious about; how do you satisfy that curiosity?

I am most curious about the different kinds of people that live in the world. I satisfy this curiosity by trying to get involved, so that I can meet lots of different people. All the service trips I have been on have taught me so much about how people appreciate different aspects of life and have made me truly admire other cultures.

*Is curiosity purely an individual endeavor or can it be stimulated through group discussions?

I think that curiosity is an individual endeavor that can be stimulated through group discussions. An individual must want to be engaged in conversation in order for them to be intrigued to further discuss a topic. Most times curiosity starts with an individual who has questions or simply wants to learn more about a certain subject.

*Which geographical area of the world are you most curious about?   Why?

I most curious about Africa, I feel that it is one of the most talked about continents, but people know the least about it. I want to learn about the different languages, cultures and the people who live throughout the continent because each country is different.

*Is the level of curiosity among young people is rising, falling, or staying the same? Why?

I think the level of curiosity among young people is falling because of social media. Everyone is so consumed by social media they tend to believe everything that they see without questioning.

*What is the impact of social media on curiosity?

Social media has led curiosity to decrease. We are living in an internet age where people are focusing more on social media sources rather than reading newspaper articles or simply watching the news.

*What are examples from your own life that have brought you, or somebody you know, unusual positive or negative results as a consequence of being curious?

This summer I was lucky enough be an orientation leader. At my own Orientation one of the most impactful experiences I had was watching LINES, which is a student production discussing different issues of diversity and people of underrepresented backgrounds. LINES stands for leaning into new experiences and situations. This performance forced me to look deeper into problems with the LGBTQI communities, a topic I didn’t know much about. One of the most positive things I gained is that it’s important to simply “lean in” and ask questions, engage in uncomfortable conversations and not be afraid of what the results may be.

Response to Open-ended Questions (3 of 6)

1. Google has tremendously affected my curiosity. A plethora of possibilities just at my finger tips. Information available at an instant. Anything I am interested in I can easily obtain information on using google.
2. In my life I am most curious about how to become an entrepreneur. I fuel that curiosity by going to school and doing research for assignments.

3. I believe curiosity can be both an individual and group stimulated. Idea can be discussed in a group environment that may spark greater curiosity in an individual and then used to build on top of what the group is working on.

4. I am most curious about Asia, China in particular. Asia is a whole other half of the world I have not explored and a culture I have not yet experienced hands one. China is one of the world largest economies and I would like to understand how it works and what affects if can have on all other economies.

5. The curiosity in young people is rising and it fuels the mind to keep on wanting to gain more and more information around the things that interest them most in life.

6. Social medial impacts curiosity by allowing people to seek information on what the world around them is up to and giving them access to that information opens the mind to different perspectives of many individuals around the world.

7. In my life something positive that has come out being curious is becoming fit/healthy. Signing up for a gym with no idea on how to properly lift weights has lead to observe carefully on what others are doing while at the gym and doing research online when I’m home. The results lead to significant decrease in body fat and overall better physical fitness.

Response to Open-ended Questions (4 of 6)

Google as a search engine greatly stimulates my curiosity because it provides unlimited answers to endless questions one may have pertaining to any topic or person. It is difficult to pinpoint one topic I am most curious about. I love to study human behavior and the driving forces behind what makes people do what they do. I enjoy learning about structures of power and their relation to one another. Such as how economies function in relation to politics and global affairs. I also enjoy learning about political histories of different countries and political systems in general. As I have already informed you philosophy and recently evolutionary biology. I satisfy these curiosities mainly by reading. Or take courses that pertain to them directly or indirectly.

The middle east is the area in the world I’m most curious currently. I want to have a more in-depth understanding of the different conflicts and divisions within the area. I’m also curious about Sharia law and how it is implemented in all those different countries. I think the level of curiosity among young people is declining. It is my belief that being curious and wanting to discover and create is part of human nature. As disheartening as this may sound, the current education system is what I believe stifles curiosity the most. Of course, this is tied to our business culture and economic system.

For almost every subject especially math and science the way in which it is taught truly kills curiosity for students who are sincerely interested in them. What I want to stress here is the methodology and the removal of practice or application when learning something. For instance, when a student truly loves science, but has a high school geology teacher that structures the class so he has to memorize all these terms for an exam in order to pass instead of creating a hands-on experience lab where the student can learn hands on how sedentary rocks relate to tectonic plates and a desire to learn is cultivated within the student he comes think that what his teacher has presented him is how work is done in science departments.

This carries over to almost all other disciplines. This in effect destroys the curiosity of students. The way in which the subject matter is presented is critical to the cultivation of curiosity. Additionally, many students enter college with the mindset that they must study whatever will enable them to make the most money. Ignoring what they’re passionate about. Social pressures and our capitalist culture heavily contribute to this.

Social media to my knowledge stagnates curiosity only insofar as it distracts people from what they’re studying or learning. Some positive consequences of me being curious have been receiving positive affirmation from my professors. Having them challenge me more critically and expect more from me. This has made a better student. Also, I’ve developed the habit of reading a book or two every month. I’ve never had negative consequences to being curious.

Response to Open-ended Questions (5 of 6)

*How does Google affect your level of curiosity?

I feel it both fuels it and at times squashes it! If I suddenly wonder how many US presidents took a stance on abortion- I can know it in a second. I can foster curiosity and learn about issues, concepts, ideas, people! From any place in the world or any point in history and I think that’s beautiful. I think it’s beautiful I can learn anything from the internet. At the same time though, it’s killed my spelling skills. I don’t memorize new words or how to spell them anymore because I can just google it. It’s made things easier for me in a lot of ways and I know I’ve gotten lazier.

*Describe what it is in life that you are most curious about; how do you satisfy that curiosity?

I’m most curious about the way that people interact with each other in the context of any relationship or lack thereof. I love watching couples, friends, family members, or strangers interact with each other. There’s something so special and strange about the way that people speak to each other and try to understand each other and I love it. It’s a subject that no one will ever fully understand; I think that’s why I write so many films about relationships (friendships and romantic ones). It’s because I’m trying to learn more through writing and analyzing.

*Is curiosity purely an individual endeavor or can it be stimulated through group discussions?
I think curiosity can be stimulated through group discussion because different people can bring up different points of view and introduce new topics that you otherwise might not have been exposed to.

*Which geographical area of the world are you most curious about?   Why?

I’m not concerned with any specific region of the world specifically but I find myself very inspired by suburbs. Not sure if that answers the question but I really find how people interact with suburban life incredibly interesting.

*Is the level of curiosity among young people rising, falling, or staying the same? Why?

I don’t really think that can be measured in regards to age or any other true marker because there’s just millions of young people and people in general. There’s no way to really measure if people are more or less curious. I can only speak to people I’ve met as a whole. I’ve met a lot of people my age who don’t seem to be creative or curious. But I’ve also met people younger than me that are absolute geniuses. I think that the brilliance of curiosity is that it’s individual. Yes it can be stimulated temporarily by others but it’s innate in the fabric of who you are.

*What is the impact of social media on curiosity?

I think social media can open ideas to more people but that it’s also created a way to see what others are doing all of the time. I think it mostly depends how you use social media. Some can use a website or tumblr page to craft inspiration boards, write creatively, or post photos. Others can simply snap photos for likes. I think it truly depends what means you are using it for.

*What are examples from your own life that have brought you, or somebody you know, unusual positive or negative results as a consequence of being curious?

Personally, I found what I wanted to do in life because I was curious. In regards to how I found my start in film, it was essentially following photographers and bloggers online and loving how vibrantly they captured their life. I was curious as to how they seemed so happy and so reflective of their lives. I’d always loved learning about others and finding ways to catalogue my feelings so when I began my journey of filmmaking, I found that it was my passion. It was the perfect combination of everything I had ever loved. And it aided my curiosity because I’m constantly learning- whether that be through writing, editing, or directing, I always have to be learning something. So, being curious has helped me build a future for myself.

Response to Open-ended Questions (6 of 6)

*How does Google affect your level of curiosity?

Due to the existence of Google and the internet, I feel like Google stifles and encourages my own curiosity. I think that because almost anything I can think about is on Google, it takes away the joy that comes from researching a certain subject or question. If I’m thinking about cooking something I can immediately find it online, but when it comes to personal questions about life such as raising a family of emigrating from one country to another, I find that talking to different people from different cultures is more beneficial than Googling the subject.

*Describe what it is in life that you are most curious about; how do you satisfy that curiosity?

The one thing that I am most curious about in life is how far someone’s potential can take them. I’ve always wondered just how far someone can really go whether it be in their personal or professional life (or both). I remember a quote by animator Monty Oum, “I believe that the human spirit is indomitable. If you endeavor to achieve, it will happen given enough resolve. It may not be immediate, and often your greater dreams is something you will not achieve within your own lifetime. The effort you put forth to anything transcends yourself, for there is no futility even in death.” This idea is one that helps me realize that anyone can do anything, it’s solely a matter of if you allow yourself to do so. A lot of times people don’t do what they want because they’re afraid of failure, but how can you fail if you don’t give yourself the opportunity to try?

*Is curiosity purely an individual endeavor or can it be stimulated through group discussions?

I think curiosity is a combination of individual endeavor and stimulation. I think that in order to grow curiosity it needs to be stimulated by group discussion, world news, spiritual questions, etc. but at the same time I think that people can only grow their curiosity if they want to.

*Which geographical area of the world are you most curious about?   Why?

I’ve always been curious about Japan and the Japanese culture. That country has greatly influenced the way we make things and buy things and even look at things. Anime (Japanese animation) has become widely popular here in the United States and has even led to American adaptations for popular anime shows. Moreover Japan has introduced a new level of competition for the United States when it comes to the automotive industry as well as advancing technology and health care.

*Is the level of curiosity among young people rising, falling, or staying the same? Why?

I think it is definitely falling due to the availability of the internet. More and more I see children on their phones instead of looking at the world around them. I think that because of this, younger generations are going to feel overly privileged when it comes to knowledge because anything they could ever imagine is already online.

*What is the impact of social media on curiosity?

Social Media I think is both positive and negative because it allows people to quickly communicate, but because it’s so widely available, people don’t really find themselves thinking or experiencing things. Instead they spend most of their time on the internet.

*What are examples from your own life that have brought you, or somebody you know, unusual positive or negative results as a consequence of being curious?

I remember one time when I was in Boy Scouts I was fishing with a friend of mine and we weren’t catching anything so I was wondering what would happen if I used my hand as bait like in fishing tv shows. Sure enough my hand got bit by a catfish, but on the bright side I caught a catfish and had a nice dinner.

Thank you for your contributions to the Curiosity Project:  Jeffrey, Kim, Fernando, Kevin, Chelsea, David, Emily, Vilma, Cesar, Syane, Bob, Alejandro, Ana, Blasley

 

 

he American economy has been improving for about eight years, reported unemployment — ignoring the different ways to interpret this data point — is at an acceptable level, and inflation is surprisingly low: historically, sharp growth in the money supply has led to higher inflation.

Yet, more than half of all people were reportedly unhappy with their jobs even before the recent Presidential election. And there is a growing body of thought that contrary to the historical pattern wherein jobs lost to robots were not a net negative, as other jobs were created, the situation will be different with the advent of collaborative robots.

Suicide rates are rising for every age bracket except that of your lowly writer, whose cohort always has had a much higher disposition to ending life voluntarily.

Maybe it is time to think radically.

Enter the idea of an unconditional basic income (UBI), cash paid by the government to each and every individual regardless of income or wealth.

A UBI would facilitate the type of freedom which can lead some recipients to:

*go surfing as a full-time activity

*refuse to work at the minimum wage level offered by many current businesses

*move ahead with that entrepreneurial idea they heretofore could not pursue because of the financial risk pertinent to simply starting up

*be able to avoid the dehumanizing aspect of the current welfare system

*no longer engage in petty crime

*rethink the financial interplay between parent and child

*ignore the UBI because it is a small fraction of their financial aspirations and/or accomplishments.

Accompanying a UBI would be these programmatic initiatives:

*a more progressive income tax schedule, coupled with a wealth tax, and a reduction in the estate size which can escape taxation

*a slow phasing down of many aspects of the current welfare apparatus, the emphasis being on more  direct means of assisting those in need – debit cards and trust, with verification annually. Note that no reduction in welfare monies would be caused by receipt of UBI.

*legalized marijuana, with a similar, but modified, set of restrictions akin to those of alcohol and cigarettes, which kill a multiple of the people who die from illegal substances

*other drugs would remain illegal, but the response to use/abuse would be rehabilitation programs, inclusive of educational curricula aimed at career building

*extensive in-prison educational programs

*increased educational programs in the middle skills area, jobs which combine manual skills with a level of computer or technical expertise

*a re-thinking of the educational system so that the focus is on students and lifelong learning

*a recasting of the immigration system to incorporate the following principles:

• current holders of DACA status would receive green cards
• a point system for prospective immmigrants
• no tolerance for undocumented individuals with criminal records
• annual rates for temporary visas like H-1B would only be revisited every ten years
• a two-year window during which undocumented immigrants can obtain a green card by:
• filing a tax return and pledging to do so annually
• passing a rudimentary English test
• paying a fine of $10,000 per tax-filing unit

These are some envisioned results:

*because the tax elements are not draconian — while generating sufficient funds for the UBI (in the context of gradual reductions in the current mishmash of welfare programs, thereby creating less of a budget requirement than otherwise), there would be a decrease in the perception that the American economic system is no longer fair in terms of upward mobility.  There would still be substantial income inequality, but when people know they can do okay for their families, they are less irritated by the visible divergence.

*because of the legalization of marijuana and extensive in-prison educational programs, there would be a reduction in both the initial crime rate and the recidivism rate

*with the above changes and the shift to a rehabilitation policy on illegal drugs, there should be an increase in the proportion of intact families

*with reduced crime, more intact families and a reorientation of the education system, all of which are mutually reinforcing factors, there would be reduced racial tension when it comes to policing, there would be a decreased need for non-profit entities which at present essentially only provide “band-aids for broken legs,” and fewer irritating photo ops of white benefactors with arms around minority kids

*for all but a few, standard diplomas would be replaced by resumes listing credentials pertinent to skills gained and tasks done. With more flexibility through education institution partnerships, both vertical and horizontal, students will be better to evaluate their options and pursue their goals

*a greater sense of freedom and personal control than is currently the case

*If you believe that the surfer to striver ratio will be heavily weighted in favor of the former, yes, a UBI would not be useful to society as a whole, but how many strivers would ratchet down their pace simply because they had a UBI.

 

“Basic Income … A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy,”

by Philippe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght, Harvard University Press, 2017,

is the inspiration for the above thought process.

The authors propose a UBI of 25% of per capita GDP. In the USA, this would mean $14,400 (GDP of $18.6 trillion divided by 323 million people is $57,600 GDP/capita.)

Selected background material and comments from the book (page numbers) are below:

(85-88) Milton Friedman, an economist closely associated with the free enterprise system, favored a negative income tax in place of what he called “illfare,” i.e., welfare (which destroys incentives), with the rate set low enough to push the person to find work.  Part of his reasoning for the tax was also that the government had put so many regulatory roadblocks in front of people who wanted to start businesses that it owed them something He preferred private charity over said tax, but did not believe it would generate the required funds.

Fredreich Hayek, similarly an advocate of economic freedom, believed that a minimum income should be a permanent part of a free society.

(106-9) Important to the logic of a UBI is that differences in social capital — stored knowledge: technology, organizational know-how, government skills – are accumulated over long periods of time  and represent inherent advantages to those lucky enough to be born into positive circumstances. The offsetting policy idea to the resulting socioeconomic imbalance centers on distributive justice. Note, however, that UBI is not aimed at equalizing incomes but at distributing more fairly the characteristics of real freedom, possibilities, opportunities.

“UBI weakens the cash nexus, de-commodifies labor power, boosts socially useful yet unpaid activities, protects against forced mobility and destructive globalization, and emancipates from the despotism of the market.”

(119) An additional  underpinning for the logic of distributive justice is that all material goods ultimately derive from natural resources which initially were not owned by anyone. The collectivity of these assets justifies the use of a UBI.

(137) In terms of affordability of a UBI, in the United States, non-social public expenditures = 13% GNP, public expenditures on education and health = 12%, and other social expenditures = 10% (pensions are 6% of this). In France, the respective numbers are 17%, 12%, and 22% (12% being pensions).

“If half of the cash part of social expenditures is eliminated with a UBI of 25% of GNP, then the required tax rate [using the above data, which definitionally equate expenditures with tax rate] is 55% of GDP in USA and 65% in France. [55% in the USA represents a 57% increase versus the base of 35%; 65% is only a 28% boost from the current level in France.]

(147-167) As has been pointed out in numerous places [elsewhere in policy circles], capital is taxed at an advantageous rate compared with that applied to labor. This needs to be redressed; moreover, tax policies need to be global or regional because of the mobility of capital. One idea, admittedly a political non-starter in most countries, is that of state ownership of industries, but with said companies privately managed. Another related concept is public ownership of natural resources.

UBI could be partially financed through the printing of additional money (the European Community actually floated such a concept, not connected to a UBI, as a way to dig its countries out of the recent financial crisis). There could be a tax on the circulation of money and an expanded VAT.

The UBI could be modified based on age or type of occupation or cohort group. It could begin with a partial amount. Accompanying a UBI should be enhanced childcare provisions and the complete portability of pensions.

(173) In 2016, Switzerland held a referendum regarding UBI: 23% were for and  77% against. Support was only 10% among >70 years old; it was 22% for <30 years old. There was no significant difference by income level or gender; city dwellers were 32% in favor, compared with 19% for those in rural areas.  Self-employed respondents were 36% in favor.  Those voting Yes believed a UBI discussion should be started; the No voters did not believe that a UBI could be financed.

A 2011 poll in the United States elicited a decidedly negative response, 82% to be specific. On the other hand, a 2015 poll in France had a positive response of 60%. As always, phrasing of survey questions is critical; the French query indicated that UBI would replace most existing benefits.

Added Comment

For every five-year age cohort from 80-85 down to 0-5, the white percentage declines and the non-white percentage rises. At the lowest age bracket, the composition of population is roughly 50-50. These data are not dependent on the beneficial changes to immigration suggested above. The real question then is whether power is transferred peacefully, a rather important factor!

Historians might well be skeptical about our ability to avoid a revolution, as inconceivable as that might seem from the vantage point of 2017. Alternatively, what is taking place without much publicity is that billionaire members of The Giving Pledge (who are as likely to be Democrat as Republican) are dictating much of the social/education reform agenda of this country.

It is not completely clear which alternative is preferable, given the long-term record of smart people attempting to plan the lives of the masses.  Perhaps a UBI would be quite useful as a restraint on “good” ideas carried to disastrous consequences. Note that a UBI itself is not connected to anybody’s Utopian fantasy but aimed at expanding the range of life choices among people who at present are limited in that regard. Living solely on a UBI would be difficult for the vast majority of individuals.

 

BobHowittBooks.com/?page_id=22

When you look at a Russian nesting doll, you can describe it perfectly. Then the outer doll is removed, and with it, your prior accuracy.

When you hold the kaleidoscope to your eye, you can easily describe what you see.  Then you twist the cylinder and the picture is totally different even as the material contents are unchanged.

Social scientists are continually faced with an analytical dilemma: is the issue being discussed  happening more or less often, or is it that data gathering techniques have been improved, or maybe the unequivocal truth was always there and had simply been ignored.

So I ask myself: am I seeing “things” differently or have the “things” changed.

It seems like the world is screwed up: peaceful disagreement is nowhere to be found, but does not a reading of history suggest that horrible stuff is more the norm than the exception.

It appears that this country is completely messed up, but people are working, inflation is low, residents from everywhere want our currency, immigrants (still) want to live here, and the stock market is at record highs.

In the area of education reform that is near and dear to the writer, high achieving schools of choice are reaching more students than ever, but rancor within the reform community has risen and the vitriol from the unionized opposition is uglier than ever.

Bringing it even closer to home, the WKBJ Foundation has had a quarter century of great success but this past year has seen more students stopping out of school (hopefully to return sometime) and more difficult/emotional conversations and decisions than in any prior period.

One factor is that heretofore, in the structure of WKBJ’s various programs, I ignored the multi-level failures of the local high school. More recently the results of these shortcomings are young people in my office who have never been given a whit of guidance, on either college or the existence of perfectly valid non-college paths to successful lives.

Simultaneously, as WKBJ approaches its 2020 expiration date, I might be a bit cranky. For sure, I am less likely to look the other way at completely nonsensical actions (or non-actions), predominantly by adults who should be more aware of the total picture of education, but also including some students.

In any case, WKBJ can no longer take on new students. Meeting young people and being with them for many, many years of their lives has been the heart of my activities, and it has been hugely rewarding, and, equally important, fun!

Meanwhile, I interact regularly with a delightful eight year-old girl. She is energetic, verbal, healthy, strong, happy, fearless, curious, creative, funny, compassionate, a reader, a writer — and I find myself valuing these traits more than various shortcomings in her academic results.

What does that mean, I wonder, about the way I look at education overall. Good question!

Overall, if I am in a funk, is it a function of different specific situations, i.e., something which might be labeled “reality,” or the result of my viewing angles being different, i.e., “perception.”

Oh yes … and what shall I do about my funk?

 

 

Whether playing three card monte with a sidewalk shark or watching the magician levitate an elephant in front of your eyes or attempting to outwit the stock market, the key is what you do not see. The perpetrators of the misconception rely on you to be focused elsewhere, either directly or indirectly.

What is happening right now in Washington can fairly be labeled a tragedy or farce or abomination or some other colorful descriptor.  However, as ridiculous as the scene, the actors, and the screwed-up messaging may be, I think of the whole situation as constituting a diversion from the reality of America (or maybe I call it a diversion because I want to be diverted from the current American world).

The incomplete list below is of on-going challenges to the country that are not being addressed.  This was the habit of prior Presidents as well, and, unfortunately, probably would be mostly true if the losing presidential candidate of 2016 were instead in office.

Social Issues:

The impact of demographic change, which is happening irrespective of immigration policies.

An absence of any substantive discussion about the impact of single parent “familiies.”

The collateral damage caused by a conflicted criminal justice system.

The balkanization of America, as more people live and work with others of the same political views.

A chilling repression of free speech on college campuses and elsewhere.

Education:

The role of social media/technology.

The multiple shortcomings of both the education system and the education reform debate.

Financial:

Entitlements as a rising/unaffordable percentage of government budgets.

Healthcare costs which are double those of peer economies, with drug prices rising 10%++ annually.

Economic:

Rising income inequality and, as important, a reduction in both mobility and the belief in advancement.  (How does one fighting for 2% wage increases relate to a hedge fund manager earning a billion dollars in a single year, to a painting being sold for over $100 million, to a $20 million house in the Hamptons being torn down to build a bigger mansion!)

Productivity increases which do not support a level of economic growth that could mask other ills.

 

 

This is not a guessing game, or a made for social media streaming event. This is really … real!

I am crying inside, and sometimes outside, trying to figure out who this Latina is, who I am!

OK, my given name is Patricia, which can throw people off guard. After all, it does not immediately flag my ethnicity, like “Maria” might for example. Besides, to use the ugly term of this country’s racist past (present), my complexion allows me to “pass.” What I’m saying is this: I can be in conversations with other college students who make offensive comments about immigrants without knowing my situation. Do I speak up?

I am a first generation student. Through this fact alone, I’m frequently labeled a role model by well-meaning adults. Perhaps other young people like this label, but I do not appreciate the extra level of pressure. Besides, this label often evolves into being considered the spokesperson for an entire ethnic category. Yes, this could be really cool and provide me with motivation, to be a flag-bearer, to show others how aspirations can be fulfilled. But tell me, does a white student get asked how whites as a group feel about a particular issue?

Maybe I should not have taken the financial aid package that led me to this well-known private college filled with students who are white and affluent. The latter casually make plans for restaurants and clubs and weekend activities that, individually, would empty my thin pocketbook for the rest of the semester. Yes, I have a few dollars left from my job, and I know that many white kids work hard too, but seriously, do you think that I feel better when one of my new friends offers to pay for something just so I can go along?

My academic advisor is skilled – at glancing at the class schedule I have put together, giving it the smell test, and then signing. Do you think she actually knows me – where I am from, what I value, how I learn? Okay, I admit it, I have not tried as hard as I could to help her know me.

The professors all seem really smart but vary greatly in their attitude toward students, whether they are accessible or even show up for their stated office hours. I do wonder, have they read the studies which demonstrate that different young people absorb knowledge differently? Or have I forgotten that nobody can care about my success as much as I do.

I go to the gym simply to work off my frustrations, or at least try to. Yeah, it is so pleasant to hear guys talking about networking or going into their father’s business when they graduate or ogling the blonde airhead on the next bike, whose presence at the college came through something called the “legacy” route. Is there an alternative to this activity as a stress reliever that is both legal and effective? Or do I put on headphones, shut out the noise, and, without wanting to, disappear further into my shell?

Hungry as I may be after a workout, I cringe at the thought of more bland, seasoning-deprived food from the corporate vendor in the college cafeteria. Mom, where are you when I need you?
Do I verbally react to the guys on the walk back to the dormitory attempting more grab ass than normal, feeling immune to discipline because their man is in the White House?

Some good news … maybe: diversity has been accomplished by my school! All they need to do is add the composition of the sports teams to that of EOP to that of the majority of the student body, and they are able to fill out the ethnic breakdown questionnaire in a manner which passes the test of political correctness. For those keeping a different kind of score, would you like to see the diversity in a classroom where an academically rigorous subject is being taught?

When I manage on an occasional weekend to get home, I have to shift gears once again, explaining to Mom (and once in a while, my mostly uninvolved Dad) how difficult my college courses are, attempting to connect with local friends whose higher education experience is at the nearby community college. How can I not be comfortable here … these are my American roots.

Often the conversational emphasis with these hometown peers is about their boyfriends or girlfriends.  Meanwhile, I have no helpmate to take me out of my funk. How could I be with a guy, trying to figure him out, when I cannot even figure myself out!

I go to my part-time job at a factory. It is virtually all undocumented adults working at jobs far below their educational attainment in their home country. Spanish is the predominant language and Trump tales a common subject of worried conversations; everybody seems to know somebody who has lost his or her job after being loyal employees for a decade or more. Where do I, fortunately now a legal resident, fit in this job setting that brings me the money I need for books and gas?

Maybe I am just caught up in an elaborate pity party for myself. Or maybe I am telling it like it is for many Latinas. Or maybe, the truth is really simple: this is just one person’s point of view.

All is know is that every decision– both education and otherwise, every place where this Latina is temporarily located, every interaction I have, the question never goes away: Who am I?