"Dumbing Down" of America

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I don't mean to sound condecending like I am looking down on the general populous, but here's how I feel...

From my own experience, approximately 90% of the general population falls into the "dumbed down" catagory. On specialist communities like here on ATS, the number may be drastically lower. I can't estimate exactly what that number is, but I feel that at least 20 - 30% of ATS members are still of the "dumbed down" variety. This is not a personal attack, I'm just stating my observations. Out of every classroom that I attended, I estimate that approximately 3-4 students are "non-dumbed-down".

I myself feel like I was dumbed down until approximately the age of 13. Before then, I don't recall ever conciously thinking for myself, or talking to myself in my head. I'm not sure if every child is like this or not... but it was a zombie-like state pretty much. Even when getting yelled at for talking too much in class, taking tests, or anything else, it was like someone else was behind the wheel. At around 13, I must have had some kind of "awakening". I began to think and act for myself. I have always wondered if some people never make it out of this state, and continue living their entire lives as "intelligent animals" rather than true humans.

Perhaps we "smart" people have some form of narcissistic personality disorder where we just see ourselves as above everyone else when it really isn't the case, I'm not sure and I don't rule it out. Perhaps we underestimate the general populous.

However, people always disappoint me whenever I give them the benefit of the doubt and rely on them. I particularly hated forced group work in public school and high school, because I could literally finish the entire project FAR better and faster just doing it myself myself, or with my "smart" friends, than having to work in a group of "normal" students.

Speaking of which, the smart ones seem to all have few friends, because they can't stand to converse with the general populace and only befriend like kind (other "smarts".) Another poster mentioned earlier that they had a group of friends in the number 3... this seems to be the special number for some reason. I myself have also always been in a group of 3, although we did have one "outsider" that only one of us liked at first, but he was so persistant in hanging around us that we eventually accepted him as one of our own. I'm actually writing a novel about our group's experiences with the absurdities of the present-day school system at the moment...

I'm not sure if what I have observed is a true phenomenon or if it's just all in our heads, but I thought I'd share my take on being "one of the few."

I also have a rather "unpolitically correct" theory that the human race will eventually evolve into a stupid, ugly working-class sub-race as all the stupid, ugly, and impoverished people continually interbreed, as well as a highly intelligent yet frail subspecies comprised of business owners, supervisors, office workers, etc.

[edit on 8/4/2007 by Yarcofin]

I think most of the posters have drawn the wrong conclusions on this subject.

The populace of the US, indeed any developed nation, is more switched on to what is going than ever.

Years ago it was easy for the government to pull the wool over peoples eyes, but now it is not so as they are under constant and intense scrutiny.

Whether this makes for better government or not (government worries more about image than policy) is another matter.

I read ALL of the posts in this thread and they are ALL so damn good that it kind of contradicts the idea of people being dumbed-down. Thank goodness for that.

Still, when travelling we will witness a lot of different types of being dumbed-down.

I travel to the states and see the overweight, flag-waving, pop-slurping american who doesnt even know where Europe lies.

I travel to Europe and notice how most peoples idea of "vacation" is lying at crowded beaches full of drunkards or aimlessly wandering around old churches that badly need a paint job.

I travel to asia and notice people sleeping in trash, with expressionless apathy in their faces.

In other words, every country has its version of being dumbed down.

On the other hand, we mustnt forget that life is not only about learning and knowledge, its also about FUN. I know a lot of supposedly "intelligent" people who have lost their ability to have FUN.

Who does not want to play football with the guys in the park?

Who does not want to see the bikini-babe smiling at you at the beach?

Who does not want to jump down a waterfall?

Who does not want to attend a one-week survival camp?


What I am saying is, life does not only happen within the brain or intellect, it also happens by going out there and having simple, innocent FUN.

I stopped watching T.v 2 months ago as i found all the news depressing and the prime T.V absolutely pathetic..Except for prison break and the sopranos!! I don't miss the T.v one bit....I actually feel better for it...And i can see now how biased the news is...I think the people are programmed...It's not difficult to see why though. Most people lead very busy lifes with children and full time jobs...When they get a break..They want to relax and watch some T.v...Most people don't care about conspiracies...There not interested in how corrupt there government is. They only care about family, debt and how the house is looking..And who can blame them. One more thing I've been wondering about is.......Is spending so much time on the internet sites like this one....Any better than mainstream T.v..
Is it possible to gain a complete mistrust of all reality because of whats learn't from the net?

It happens everywhere, not just in the US. There are two sides of the situation, the media side attempting to get the biggest audience to sell it's space for ADs. Unfortunately we all know what gives the highest numbers for them, sensationalism, creating all sorts of crap TV shows and news coverage.
And the Govs interests side marries perfectly with it, since they can do everything they want.

This similar practice has been happening for 40 years here in Brazil, not just in the US, and I hate to admit but I got used to it, I don't even care anymore.
My hope now is in the internet.

The problem is neither the "dumbing down" by the federal government or any other reason. The only problem with western culture is that it promotes materialism as the ultimate value, making people care only about what to eat, drink and buy.

I feel like the dumbing down of America was instituted at inception, and carried out by the families and powers that be. It makes sense, b/c looking back at the idiotic decisions that were made (not really idiotic, since their benefits were solely for those in charge) only the small percentage of have's in this country were privy to information and resources. How they got those things are another issue entirely, but it is easy to control a population by censoring and limiting the information they are allowed to. It's not even dumbing down actually, it's more of not allowing access to.

Plus there's other factors that go into ensuring this path (media, lack of education, the war on drugs-terror-weight-self conciousness). Bombarding people with these factors makes it more difficult to see thru the lies and the mess we've been given.

Anyway, that's how I see it. It's not even about dumbing Americans down, but limiting their access to necessities...

Originally posted by masterp
The problem is neither the "dumbing down" by the federal government or any other reason. The only problem with western culture is that it promotes materialism as the ultimate value, making people care only about what to eat, drink and buy.

Yes and for the materialistic culture to survive there must be dumb people at the bottom to do the dirty work of the higher-ups. Im sure you guys have seen this image before.



I guess somewhere along the line people were getting too smart and less poor so the higher-ups had to start actively dumbing people down by using TV and poison in the water, foods, and cosmetics.

im in the british school system at the moment and i just feel boooored crapless.
whenever we finish an exam or a topic it just shoots back out of your head, no information is retained. i dont know whether they have developed this method on purpose, to get you through the exams but yet at the same time teach you nothing.
i think its definately the media that has caused our limp saggy brains to become saturated with crap.
there was an interesting reply about how our new diets may be responcible and i think that may be very true, but i dont think my mum would be very happy if i wanted to go organic.

im very glad of the internet because otherwise i would have carried on going down the route of teen magazines and how to get the perfect pout.
im not sure how my grammar and spelling is anymore, but i dont care! at least ive kept the thinking part of my brain.

and also there have been things that are put in place to disrupt the though process. At this point I feel like everything is a poison around me. the air, the water, the food, everything. Tv, radio, computers, all of it to some degree. Leaves us with not much to fight it. Soon it won't matter too much tho. AT least what I see it going down to anyway. Pray that I'm worng...

I work at the reception of a hotel, and trust me the "dumbness" of the sheep cannot be described. Working with me is a girl who is from Ireland. She can confirm the current situation, no doubt.

There is a guide she showed me for interexchange students on what things are like in the U.S. This is a serious document. It tells about how to obtain work, what is needed, and what to expect from the people in America. On page 22 you find the following:

- Privacy is thought to be the right of every individual.

- Americans can be very blunt and honest, to the point where it might seem rude to people of other cultures.

- Ignorance about life outside the U.S. is common.

Source

See, people who visit are warned on how ignorant society in the U.S. can be. Guess what people, this plan on teaching ignorance and apathy is spreading like wild fire. If you take a look at Mexican entertainment on T.V. and radio, all of it is just a carbon copy of what the U.S. offers. N.A.U anyone? What are the shows like in Canada, I wonder...

If you understand globalization, you understand that the culture at the forefront of it, will influence everyone, and everything. Even the eating habits of an obese society are being exported all over the world. "Golden Arches" theory? . Just scroll down a little.

To those who made good points regarding lack of interest due to the personality of each one. We are all on the same planet. If we as a species, have any dreams or any goals of preserving this planet and maybe even reaching out into the depths of space, EVERYONE needs to get educated, take interest, do something towards the future of this species, and all the other species co-existing here.

Who cares if it is boring, if it is too long, if it has "big words". Shut up, sit down, shut up again, open the book to page one, and start informing yourself. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, or American Idol will not save anybody from a primitive future. Trust me, I know.

[edit on 4-8-2007 by souls]

Originally posted by mobear
im in the british school system at the moment and i just feel boooored crapless.
whenever we finish an exam or a topic it just shoots back out of your head, no information is retained. i dont know whether they have developed this method on purpose, to get you through the exams but yet at the same time teach you nothing.

I've always had a difficult time regurgitating things for exams and whatnot. At a young age I was diagnosed severly dyslexic, and from that point I've always had difficulty in educaitonal settings, especially ones where LEARNING was not the goal.

I used to have tests with Fill in the blank and people would pass. I wouldn't even take them b/c I felt that it was a waste of time. Needless to say my time spent in schooling was extended by my intellectual capacity and concepts of doing it how it works for me, and not anything I actually LEARNED, b/c it wasn't about learning, more about jumping thru hoops and being babysat with assignments and tests to prove that one was present and participatory. Wack.

I've learned more on my street conrner than any educational institution has taught me, CHURCH included

And I've been singled out and given a hard time every place I've been in where I'm supposed to fall in line...

[edit on 8/4/2007 by acegotflows]

Originally posted by paul76
Is spending so much time on the internet sites like this one....Any better than mainstream T.v..
Is it possible to gain a complete mistrust of all reality because of whats learn't from the net?

I would give a big and warning YES to that question. No doubt about it at all. Which is why I consciously limit my time here.

Originally posted by acegotflows
I've always had a difficult time regurgitating things for exams and whatnot. At a young age I was diagnosed severly dyslexic, and from that point I've always had difficulty in educaitonal settings, especially ones where LEARNING was not the goal.
[edit on 8/4/2007 by acegotflows]

The schooling and teaching system (where it all begins) that is similar everywhere in the world, is utter trash. Its dull, serves dullards and makes you even dulller. The ones who fail at school are either complete morons or too smart for it...mostly the latter though. Schooling does not adress the needs of the smart.

Proper schooling would start day one of school like this: Alright kids, before I tell you my version of reality, tell me what YOU think, kiddies.

New to ATS. I recall seeing a documentary (forget the title) and it looked at propaganda and the work of Edward Bernays. They explained a technique of mind control and taking control of a populace whereby the morals of a society are completely corrupted (what has been discussed above).

The "people" are then presented with a "much better", alternate sets of values that are supposed to accept (Right-wing Christianity perhaps?)

Living in Canada I get a good deal of exposure to American culture. Canadian pop culture is only marginally better (we still revere intellectuals and folk singers for instance). The sex tape phenomena, as well as the headline grabbing blondes (hilton, smith, holloway, and ramsey) make me ill. American journalism is dead. I can say that with confidence now that Murdoch has finally bought the WSJ.

Originally posted by serpentine7

The "people" are then presented with a "much better", alternate sets of values that are supposed to accept (Right-wing Christianity perhaps?)

Yeah...conspiracy-theorists call it PRS: Problem-Reaction-Solution. Someone wants to sell a solution. So first he creates a problem, then has people react so that he can offer his "solution". Thats the technique that the "powers that be" keep using again and again and again...and after thousands of years its STILL working.

Great info...your so right with all that is"stuff" in our food and with busy families working to maintain their Paris Hilton kids, cocoa puffs. Mc Donalds and Ritalin for kids breakfast, as high as 80 mgs a day or more, its scary that people are not informed. Sun screen is the worst thing to put on a childs body, why don't we as a society pay as much attention to what goes iinn our bodies as what goes oonn our bodies, like they do picking out a cell phone to buy. Healty choices are not an issue with most people and their health in years to come will be a major problem. The meat today is not the meat of 20 years ago...its weeks old before its on the shelf at the grocery store, infused with carbon monoxide to appear fresh. Read the back of all frozen sea food....its not only from China, its farm raised..the worst choice we can make in buying sea foods.
The FDA is certainly not to be trusted in anyway, from our food to pharmaceutical products that , as you stated are on TV in glamorus ads every five minutes.
We import most Everything from China...even Apple Juice...80% of China has no running water in their home's or bathrooms(indoor) plumming. How then do we expect that anything from China is done in a sanitary way? There are no oversights done in factories as it would be in the USA, we go their for cheap labor and production costs, which in turn give the appearence of "Safe Food" .
If you have been overseas to these countries you would be shocked as to how the population lives that farms and packs what we eat every day. Packaging is everything to the American consumer, not so much as to how or what is done to the final product. They(China) raises Saint Bernard dogs to feed their families.......I am just shocked at how little Americans care about where their food comes from and what is in it, and I suppose this is why congress always keeps the FDA non-accountable.
Sodas..the worst invention ever , for us growing up it was a treat once a month, for kids today its a staple part of their diet, many times a day. I have seen parents put soda in a babies bottle.
Well, its everywhere and people don't really care.....its not that I feel they should be concerned anymore than they are about voting or concerning themselves with the health of their children, which ofcourse they are not, clearly. It just would be easier to change all this if they did care.

there are so many toxins everywhere. People don't even know where their food comes from, yet are so quick to go chow on this stuff. They don't know about the cross-mutated seeds and the chemical companies who are in charge of food growth and distribution. Children have been targeted for years, but since the 80's it's gotten horrible. The additives, hormones, lead, aspartime, high fructose, msg, increased C02, floride, etc. It's horrible the things that FDA pushes and a travesty on what they don't. It's bad, and they know, but obviously don't care...

Originally posted by souls
See, people who visit are warned on how ignorant society in the U.S. can be. Guess what people, this plan on teaching ignorance and apathy is spreading like wild fire. If you take a look at Mexican entertainment on T.V. and radio, all of it is just a carbon copy of what the U.S. offers. N.A.U anyone? What are the shows like in Canada, I wonder...

Canadian culture is mostly stolen from the US... carbon copy as you put it. All the big shows here are from the US. We get FOX, PBS, NBC, ABC, Spike TV, CNN.... all the big US channels. And most of the "Canadian" channels just play American broadcasting anyway. Or Canadian spinoffs (ie. Canadian Idol.) The only cable channels here that are majority Canadian are TVO and CBC. On the radio there is a requirement that a certain percentage of music must be by Canadian artists... however I think it's around 20%. Which is tough, considering I can think of about 5 current and popular Canadian artists of the top of my head.There aren't very many Canadian magazines... mostly the racks are filled with American ones... Elle, Vogue, Woman's World, Time. There is the occasional Reader's Digest (I think that's Canadian?)

Canada is probably much more of a US clone than you can possibly imagine.

I'm not even going to get started on the toxins and preservatives in our food... I've discussed it on enough other topics . And China.... all you have to do is look at all the recent recalls. The latest, literally millions of children's toys recalled because of excessively high concentrations of lead in the paint.

[edit on 8/4/2007 by Yarcofin]