tk Loc: Iowa

Yet, it is still happening. Sometimes, I feel it is innocent and I'll ignore it. But, sometimes, I feel it is more than that and I have been known to confront the hyjacker. I try to do it politely and sometimes it is taken well but at others I've been more than trounced upon (once justly).

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Yeah - the problem is, new users usually don't realize they're doing it. So I think it's kind of obnoxious to jump all over them, especially if you see it's their first or second message, and they admit to being 'new at all this computer stuff' and so on. It's hardly worth the near-death experience some people have when it happens to them, so I almost never even mention it.

tk Loc: Iowa

There are a couple of regulars doing it. One, in my opinion, is usually giving a great example. The other two......

slhunky Loc: Murfreesboro,Tn

Well, it seems the conversation has drifted from common sense to hyjacking. So, I will try to get back to what I assume was the original topic, COMMON SENSE. It seems to have gone away with the advances in technology and boomers, I am one, not allowing or making their children think and reason. We, Sharon and I, are not guilty of the latter. Instead of allowing children to reason parents answer, when children are wrong parents defend. When our son was learning algebra they only taught him to use a calculator. With most people now you just get the solution from google. Before you disagree with me read: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/08/60minutes/main3475200.shtmlfind It will help you to see what has happened to common sense. Mommy said...............

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Yeah, sorry about that. Sometimes we tend to drift. And I hate to see a simple question go unanswered.
I of course agree with the general consensus about the 'death of common sense'. I can not speak for other countries or cultures, but I think a lot of it has to do with the last quarter-century's decline in our public education system. We've gone from a system where academic excellence was celebrated, and some effort (perhaps not enough, but SOME) was made to accommodate those whose learning abilities were not as advanced; to a system where EVERYBODY makes the honor roll, so as to not damage little Bobby's or little Suzy's 'self-esteem. Part of this blame lays on the school boards and curriculum planners, and part of it lays with the teachers, who themselves seem to be of much lower quality than when I was in school. I remember looking at a test that my son brought home from about the 5th or 6th grade and his teacher had made three or four SPELLING errors on the test paper itself!

When we don't encourage critical thinking, or we reward all accomplishments equally, no matter how wide their actual boundaries, we cheapen education and knowledge. As some have noted, there's no longer any penalty for lack of good sense. In the old days, a doofus would have been eaten by a dinosaur. Now, they just blithely go on tripping down the road, protected from themselves by a paternalistic government and a system that rewards not hard work, but POPULAR work.

slhunky Loc: Murfreesboro,Tn

So true I just read the article for which I posted the link. I had seen it previously on 60 minutes and it made me sick to think this was really true. But, think about this, when our children were in school they had friends whose parents had no control, couldn't cook for their children and were totally clueless about their shortcomings. Unfortunately in our society today the most important thing is political correctness follow by protecting the rights of the criminals. As a radio commentator has said, "we have become the United States of the Offended."

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

That was a sad commentary and I hope it isn't true for all of the millennialist (baby boomers was so much easier to spell). The baby boomers that raised their kids to be hard working, deep thinking adults with a purpose in life, will have the kids that hold down the jobs.
My take on it is that as we moved away from an agricultural nation our children had no purpose. The need for them to be contributing members of the family has been diminishing over the last 50 years. Families don't need help in the fields, or help with the livestock. Children have now become a status symbol or object to have, not a contributing member of the family.
Children who are raised as contributing members of a family become contributing members of a community. They don't exist for themselves they exist for others.
When children have to work and work hard they learn common sense. They learn how to think through their problems. They learn that they are not the center of the universe, but an but an important part of the universe.
I was criticized for making my children work and work hard. When I became sick and had to be away from the farm for 3 months my 17 and 14 year old stepped in a ran a 300 head intensive lambing operation pretty much by themselves. My husband was working 40 to 60 hours away from the farm then doing the field work in the evening. Now as adults my three girls are able to get and keep a job. Because they know that it isn't all about them.
I will get off my soap box now. I could go on for pages...

slhunky Loc: Murfreesboro,Tn

As I watched this I too was saddened by what I was seeing and wondering what the future of our country would be. After some further thought or recollection I remembered when our parents had the same fear of turning our country over to our generation, the hippies. Fortunately not all were hippies and many of those who were went on to do great things. So, let's just hope and pray we will see the same results from this group. Afterall, we are the greatest nation in the world.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

This is so true also. We should probably wait to judge them until they are retired :)

slhunky Loc: Murfreesboro,Tn

I am passing judgement more on those who raised them to be this way. And, hoping I am still here when they retire.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Exactly. But the kids my surprise us despite their upbringing. I am praying so.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

"Its not that people don't know. They know so much that just ain't so."

Anonymous