by 10 people |
HERE'S WHAT I THINK
When everyone's special, no one is.
I admit it. I'm an overachiever. A performance junkie. A gold star collector.
So it's easy to understand why it chaps my hide (and a few other body parts) that in the name of equality and ego and self-esteem, we have become a society that actually awards mediocrity.
Now, I don't have anything against trying to build up the self-esteem of children, but the way we've gone about it for the past 30 years has given them a false view of themselves and the world. This is not good. Not every one is equal and they shouldn't be led to believe that they are.
EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE
Justice takes a blind eye to our differences
Before you get your knickers in a twist (don't worry, you get your turn), let me remind you that equality (by which we tend to mean in a legal sense) and equal are not the same thing. The very fact that we even have the concept of "equal under the law" is testament to the fact that we aren't all equal in reality. The old injustices had to do with your station in life - whether you were part of the nobility or aristocracy. It is right that the law should treat everyone fairly. There should be no difference in treatment, penalty or protection for you or me.But while you and I are equal under the law (equality), we are not equal as people. I know what Jefferson wrote, but he completely understood this concept. From the standpoint of the government, all men are to be treated equally. But that doesn't change the fact that there are differences in the value of those people to society as a whole.
NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL
Do not confuse equality under the law with being equal in all things
Which takes us back to the problem of the past 30 years and the "self-esteem" movement. It completely ignores the fact that some people are plain-old, flat-out better than others.Better at sports, better at math, better at logic, better at humor. Better. And (gasp!) someone (and it can only be one) is the best.
Despite our efforts to make everyone feel great about themselves, this fact isn't going to go away.
When we warp the standard for excellence, we end up with young professionals who don't understand how you could give them a negative review. We get college graduates who expect to walk in and be CEO by the second day. We get employees who think they "deserve" whatever you have to give.
People inflate their value and believe it comes just from how "special" they are and not necessarily in the quality of what they do or produce. After all, they always got gold stars for that effort before!
It's time to re-think the path we've been on. Grow up, learn to objectively evaluate performance and we'll all benefit from the results.
YOUR TURN!
When everyone's special, no one is.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, you're right!
Shantelle says:
not every one is created equal, look are the race, gender etc. why do some people have different rights and opportunites to other? Why are some people black, white, poor, rich?
Posted June 06, 2009
BFuniv.com says:
Equal opportunity, yes. but there will never be equality of results.
Find out what you are talented at, then work your tail off to create skills that complement your talents. Then, you too, will not want to be equal.
Equality comes from the zero-sum logic of scarcity in a tribal existence, win-lose. Equal opportunity is additive, win-win-win; all can and will gain when each persons excellence is fully rewarded.
What do your efforts merit?
Posted April 28, 2009
Jack says:
That is why there are so many spoiled and arrogant people now everywhere that act like other people owe them everything because they have been treated like they are too special for no reason when they have not done anything special.
Posted January 07, 2009
Tentower says:
Some people are just better at what they do than other. Self-esteem is only helpful in moderation, too much of it leads to arrogance.
Posted December 24, 2008
Victoria_Neely says:
We might pay lip service to the idea that everyone is special, but privately we discriminate. We pay attention to the people who really are the best, or who are at least blazing trails.
Posted June 04, 2008
clouda9 says:
WTG for breeching a subject we should all be talking about. Brings to mind the youth baseball team that decided to stop keeping score because they did not want the 'losing team' feeling bad. Weird! It is by our failures or short-comings that we hopefully learn to achieve and be better, right?
Posted June 03, 2008
No way, Monkeybrain!
TopStyleTravel says:
There are different levels of excellence. That is what makes people unique and life interesting. There is much undiscovered/unrealized talent in the world. To have much love and a giving heart is the greatest legacy one can leave. I believe in accomplishment but many times it only leaves awards for someone else to dust off or throw away. Everyone should do the best they can and encourage/believe in others.
Posted May 13, 2009
spirituality says:
Well, I feel everyone IS special. That doesn't mean no one is special.
Some do perform better than others. That's great. Some people are really kinder than others. Some people are more insightful than others. I do feel real excellence SHOULD be rewarded too. Honor where honor is due and all that.
Still, even people who society thinks are junk have a story, have their own self-worth, should get the opportunity to better themselves, should be seen as PEOPLE.
Posted June 13, 2008
When everyone's special,
no one is.
The Incredibles
What happens when you force super to be normal
The Incredibles (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
From the Academy Award winning creators of Finding Nemo (2003 Best Animated Feature Film) comes the action-packed animated adventure about the mundane and incredible lives of a house full of superheroes. Bob Parr and his wife Helen used to be among the world's greatest crime fighters,saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. But he soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.
HELP ME PROVE MY POINT
If you agree, add links (proof!) that help me make my case
Add a link that makes my case.
Is High Self-Esteem Bad for You?
Recent studies that denigrate the value of self-es more...0 points
The American Culture: Ideas Have Consequences: Self-Esteem, Achievement, and Narcissism
Now we find that this wonderful self-esteem moveme more...0 points
Narcissism can be as much a hindrance as a help to relationships, new UGA study reports
For two decades, self-help books have hammered hom more...0 points
Study finds students narcissistic - The Boston Globe
Today's college students are more narcissistic and more...0 points
BOOKS THAT MAKE THE CASE
Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled--and More Miserable Than Ever Before
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/11/2009)
Lucifer's Hammer
Don't believe me? When an asteroid hammers the earth, people find out really quickly just how special they are and how much they "deserve" to be part of the group. You have to bring value if you want to survive.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
Understanding Healthy Self Esteem
- Self-Esteem Self-Test
- Your self-esteem, however, is something more fundamental than the normal "ups and downs" associated with situational changes. For people with good basic self-esteem, normal "ups and downs" may lead to temporary fluctuations in how they feel about themselves, but only to a limited extent. In contrast, for people with poor basic self-esteem, these "ups and downs" may make all the difference in the world.
DISPROVE MY POINT (fine, be that way)
Disagree? Put your money where your mouth is and show us why.
Post links that point out why you think I'm wrong.
Healthy Self-Esteem Not Cause of Student Narcissism - Opinion
Healthy Self-Esteem Not Cause of Student Narcissis more...0 points
IT'S NOT REALLY THIS FUNNY
WHAT PASSES FOR UNIQUE VALUE
I have noticed that it's true.
No one walks the way I walk.
No one talks the way I talk.
No one plays the way I play.
No one says the things I say.
I am special.
I am me.
RELATED NEWS: FODDER FOR ARGUING MORE
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- We hold to the SUPERIORITY OF the AUTHORIZED VERSION The Authorized KING JAMES Version of Scripture over every other English Translation. Join me as we examine why the AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION is the very best English Translation ...
HAVE A GENERAL COMMENT ON THE LENS?
Got something more to say on the subject? Leave your thoughts here. Note that I moderated comments so argue away, but be polite about it.
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
I hadn't thought too much about this. I love Monkeybrains lenses...they make you think! Blessed by Brenda.
Posted May 12, 2009
Victoria_Neely wrote...
As I was reading this, I was thinking about Mr. Incredible criticizing the way we find more ways to celebrate mediocrity. And Dash noticing how saying everyone is special is just another way of saying no one is. Then I was pleased to see you listed the Incredibles DVD! Very appropriate. :)
Posted June 03, 2008
by SusanVillasLewis
Basic gal from the Dallas area who has a lot to say!! I'm working on lens related to my odd-ball interests, as well as some tying back to my husband'...
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