One day, last week, at my child's middle school, all periods were reduced by a few minutes each - to make time for a presentation on a magazine sale program. The students were offered powerful incentives to sell magazines for the school - cash, limo rides, special recognition at school and many others.
This is one of the many "selling" programs they have at this age - children sell sell gift-wrap for their science classes, cookie dough for their sports teams, car-washes for their club teams, girl-scout cookies for their troops, ...
There are people making money from these campaigns. The companies producing these goods and services are probably the biggest beneficiaries. The school/organization gets a small amount and the student gets a reward. Is this the right thing to be teaching students, and is it appropriate to put this pressure on the children (and parents) - "there isn't enough money, so you need to earn."
It is a pity that a learning environment is being exploited to convert students into salespeople.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Men and power vs. biological instincts
People have been asking this question since the dawn of man "Why would a man risk everything - his reputation, his family, his freedom - for a few seconds of sexual exploitation" as is expressed in this "For Better Or For Worse" comic strip at http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/archives/002159.php The relevant portion of which is reproduced below. (With appropriate copyright acknowledgement).
The reason is the same as why a male praying mantis engages in mating, in spite of knowing that his head is going to be chewed off by the female during the act.
Obviously, it isn't an instant gratification issue; it is ingrained in our biology. Maybe, this is explained by the theory that biologically, we want to propagate our genes. So, we look for all opportunities to increase chances -- even if it means dying himself, as in the case of praying mantis, or losing everything we have, in the case of some humans. Or, attempting to fight the alpha male - as is the case of many mammals.
If it is biological, why do more men not do it? Because the human society has created rules. So, the question that is to be asked is - why is it that some people are able to follow rules, and keep their biological instincts under check.
So, it isn't power, as the comic strip seems to imply. It is the lack of power over biological instincts that is driving this behavior.
The reason is the same as why a male praying mantis engages in mating, in spite of knowing that his head is going to be chewed off by the female during the act.
Obviously, it isn't an instant gratification issue; it is ingrained in our biology. Maybe, this is explained by the theory that biologically, we want to propagate our genes. So, we look for all opportunities to increase chances -- even if it means dying himself, as in the case of praying mantis, or losing everything we have, in the case of some humans. Or, attempting to fight the alpha male - as is the case of many mammals.
If it is biological, why do more men not do it? Because the human society has created rules. So, the question that is to be asked is - why is it that some people are able to follow rules, and keep their biological instincts under check.
So, it isn't power, as the comic strip seems to imply. It is the lack of power over biological instincts that is driving this behavior.
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