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Colin Powell

Off-topic comments moved from Colin Powell's talk.

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  • Jeff Crocker

    • +8
    Jan 27 2013: Colin Powell has zero credibility to deliver this message. He seems to want all of the children to become automatons willing to salute and then blindly obey his orders. He had an army of kids just like this at his command once. He killed thousands and wounded hundreds of thousands of them based on the pack lies he told.

    One of the first rules of deciphering political lies is whenever anything is "for the children", you are either going to have your pocket picked or your liberties confiscated, or both.

    He wants obedient workers and cannon fodder. And maybe to rebuild his tarnished image.
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      Theodore A. Hoppe 200+

      • +2
      Jan 27 2013: Re: "He seems to want all of the children to become automatons willing to salute and then blindly obey his orders." He never says that, so it only "seems" that way to some that have a political view of him or the military in general.
      He plainly says, "Always be looking for that which you do well and that which you love doing, and when you find those two things together — man, you got it.”

      Let's address the issue of why students are under performing in this country

      • Chandler patey

        • 0
        Jan 27 2013: If you want, okay:
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developmental_psychology
        No need for discussion; this is how people learn. Here is a school model with Developmental psychology in mind:
        http://www.ted.com/talks/geoff_mulgan_a_short_intro_to_the_studio_school.html
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          Theodore A. Hoppe 200+

          • 0
          Jan 27 2013: Isn't it fair to say that all schooling incorporates developmental psychology into its core?

      • Chandler patey

        • +1
        Jan 28 2013: No. It isn't fair to stereotype schools as inherently incorporating developmental psychology into their teaching methods. You asked to address the situation of students in your country, assuming that is the U.S.: The basis of education in the United States is reiteration and ability to follow orders, because it fits the "ideal business model," where if it works, it creates obedient unskilled workers. In an age where machines do most of the easy work, this system is silly; this system was silly when it was designed, because it doesn't work, it has only the appearance of functionality. I am now going to procede to throw popular evidence at you until you understand or come forward with apt evidence to suggest all of Developmental Psychology is wrong.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
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          Theodore A. Hoppe 200+

          • 0
          Jan 28 2013: Re: It isn't fair to stereotype schools as inherently incorporating developmental psychology into their teaching methods.

          The Wiki link you provided states, "He (Piaget) would try to get them to see contradictions in their explanations. He also developed stages of development. His approach can be seen in how the curriculum is sequenced in schools, and in the pedagogy of preschool centers across the United States."

    • Ann Viviano

      • +2
      Jan 28 2013: In what way is developing self discipline inconsistent with creativity? Free thinkers with the discipline to convert their thoughts into actions, and the understanding of the power structures with which they need to work (or defeat) are the ones who change the world.

      I am a mother and a teacher, and have raised my children to be both disciplined and creative, to understand they need to honor the rules and the requests of those who have power over them (mainly their teachers and parents at this point), but that they are allowed to challenge and break rules when merited by the circumstances as long as they do not complain about the consequences. My kids appear to be very happy, creative and well adjusted and they are definitely not drones or cannon fodder.

      Every person who has worked extensively with children understands that thy are happier and function much better when they have structure in their lives. You should read up on decision fatigue, you may gain a better understanding of the psychological basis for being conscientious about setting appropriate structures for children so that they are free of the worry of making more decisions than they are prepared to make. You may not like Powell or the style with which he attempts to make his point, but he is correct about the fact that discipline will set you free in the end.

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