As IF Times

Source: Ted Cruz on Donald Trump tweets: Who cares

All of the tabloid like headlines surrounding the battle for the Republican nomination gives a different perspective on the sanctity of the eventual office itself.

We can name numerous action movies based on the premise of protecting or rescuing the President from some terrorist or existential threat.  As the drama typically unfolds, armies of people are tasked with sacrificing their very lives if need be, to protect the safety of the President.  A literal army of people, the finest in protection armament, the cutting edge of electronic gadgetry; all are at the disposal of the Secret Service to save the President from harm.  Invariably, Morgan Freeman directs the rescue mission as if the fate of the world rests with the salvation of a politician.

And no doubt this depiction in cinema is reflective of the protocols observed in real life. This appears to make sense because the officeholder is the presumptive symbol of freedom for the entire world, not just the United States. But does it really?

Historically, leaders of nations were militarily adept and well suited to advance the fortunes of their empire.  From Genghis Khan to Julius Caesar, the empire depended on their leader’s health to preserve the integrity of the societies they ruled.  Even as recently as Winston Churchill, leaders exhibited some uniqueness of leadership, some essential irreplaceable  element that was important to the society’s survival.

Things are quite different today.  As we watch the nomination process for the potential Presidential candidate, we see that most are loathed as equally as they are loved, sometimes more so.  We see that most exhibit a stunning lack of leadership qualities and whatever moral high ground they claim is as ephemeral as the next poll. We see that the eventual winner is more likely the product of marketing, spin and bloc voting than because of any quality of leadership.  It’s about desire for the office more than the suitability. The process has become American Idol.   A survey of the candidates shows the following:

An almost septuagenarian egomaniac billionaire with the temperament of a 6 year old

A self avowed septuagenarian socialist who thinks money is like jujubes, to be given away to anyone who asks.

A preachy lawyer, who is possibly Canadian with a high dislike quotient by both parties

A professional politician who has no record of accomplishment in a lifetime of public service and whose ability to contort on every issue makes Gumby look like a piece of re-bar and who may yet be disqualified by law.

This is the cast of people, one of whom the Secret Service will be obligated to offer life and limb to keep safe after the election.  I dunno.  God forbid that any circumstance should arise when they may be called upon to extend extraordinary effort and cost to keep them safe from harm.  But as a pragmatic matter, maybe the calculus may go along these lines:  “Well he (she) wasn’t well liked anyway, he barely won the nomination and he really isn’t that special…we’ll just use the next guy.”

And that would be the end of political thriller movies involving the President.

link Human beings are getting dumber | News.com.au.

According to this article, the progress of human evolution has stopped, at least intellectually.  Judging by what’s considered newsworthy in the world today, but mainly in the U.S., it may be hard to refute this assertion.  On any given day, a scan of popular ‘news’ sites will reveal as much general flotsam and entertainment fluff as there is hard news and analysis.   This is true for Google News, Bing News or Yahoo news (for those that still  use Yahoo).  Even the venerable Wall Street Journal will feature gripping stories about the latest Hollywood gossip.  We can’t even include newspapers anymore since papers such as the NY Times, Washington Post among others have long abandoned their pretense of being in the news business.

The commercial component to fame is greater than at any time in human history due to the ease of access to information and so the pursuit and monetization of fame has eclipsed the quaint goal of genuine work in popular culture.  Of course, in a free society, people can do as they wish; they can choose to take rigorous academic studies at school, or they can choose the far more glamorous route of pursuing their singing/acting/dancing/pro sports careers.  In fact, some may even have talent and deserve every success that may come to them.   Statistically, that is not the case for the general population.   The amount of American Idols are vastly outnumbered by those Americans that are idle.

The real downside that arises from the fortunate few achieving commercial success is that they are sought out for their opinions.  Since many individuals that make it commercially big these days are young, their exposure to life and intellectual development is likely undeveloped at best and misguided at worst.  How often do we hear about celebrity X making statements on Global Warming, or the plight of penguins on shrinking ice floes.  While they may be uber talented entertainers, asking their opinions of weighty issues is akin to asking a dancing bear his opinion on the Palestinian conflict.   Unfortunately, these opinions are absorbed as immutable fact by the adoring fan base who want to be just like their hero.   In any society, it is normal for the people to emulate those that are successful.  Let’s see, Justin Bieber, Ferrari; college degree, Hyundai, hmm…

Contrary to what the article implies, I think it’s more likely that people are allowed to be dumber or even encouraged.  In light of the numerous instances of uneducated people achieving fabulous success, it’s a hard case to make that a good education is worth the effort.  Combine that with standards that have fallen off precipitously in the public schools and as a society, we are allowing humans to become lazy in their cognitive and problem solving processes.  Anecdotal studies have shown that school systems focus more on passing students than they do on demanding competence.  At very young ages and right through to universities, students are steered towards worldviews which don’t always stand up to critical scrutiny.  But they go along to get along.  An old trading mentor of mine used to say that when you ask a 5 year old to explain why 2 plus 2 equals 4, he’ll say “because the teacher said so”.  In very simple terms, garbage in, garbage out.

In a study by the education firm Pearson, they illustrate the declining standard of schooling in America. The study shows that the U.S. is ranked 17th in the world for education systems,  http://thelearningcurve.pearson.com/the-report .  Compare that statistic with the those on this study: http://rossieronline.usc.edu/u-s-education-versus-the-world-infographic/  which shows that the U.S. by far spends the most money overall and per capita on education.  Clearly, the issue is not money.  Something must be wrong with both execution and expectations.  Finally, the following anecdote was sent to me, author unknown, which captures what has become of education in the U.S.  I am happy to credit whomever authored this:

The evolution of teaching math:
1. Teaching Math In 1950s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math In 1960s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living?
Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it’s ok. )
6. Teaching Math In 2009
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
7. Teaching Math In 2013 Who cares, just steal the lumber from your rich neighbor’s property. He won’t have a gun to stop you, and it’s OK anyway cuz it’s redistributing the wealth.