Think For Yourselves!!!
79
The Sheep
When did the people of this country stop thinking for themselves? When did everyone just take what they see at face value and accept it? When did people stop questioning, stop investigating, stop wondering?
A vast majority of the people in this country have become sheep. There is no other way to put it. And sheep who blindly follow a shepherd who is ill prepared, and just as blind will lead to ruin. The wolves will come. They will surround the unsuspecting sheep and pick them off. All the while, the blind, incompetent shepherd will continue to tell the sheep that everything is OK, and the sheep will believe him. After all, he is the one in charge, he must know what's going on.
Well, I am not a sheep. I am not blind. I do not accept that everything is OK. I see the wolves closing in, and I am scared. I see what is going on around me, and I see far more than I really wish I did. At times, I wish I could be one of the blind sheep. I wish I didn't know what was going on. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.
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Thinking For Yourself
We need to start thinking for ourselves again. The media has delved into a highly biased, insane place. Sensationalism, fear and lies are the order of the day when it comes to watching the news. Why do the news networks, and news shows want us to be so scared? What is gained by this?
With the recent outbreak of swine flu, people are running scared. Truth of the matter is, if you are cautious, wash your hands, and be observant as to where the outbreaks are, you are going to be fine. Millions of people are not going to die. This is not s Stephen King book. This is not some government engineered super flu that will wipe out 90% of the world's population. You can relax!!! But, the news, and even the Vice President, is feeding that fear. Don't travel, stay away from Mexico, close down the schools, avoid confined spaces at all costs!! Be scared!!!
It's really not that bad. Watch the news to keep track of where the outbreaks are happening. If there are none in your area, that doesn't mean there won't be. So, be careful. Wash your hands (you are supposed to do that anyway), carry hand sanitizer with you, and take care of yourself to boost your immune system.
Fear is more contagious than any flu, virus, or infection. Fear is an illness that is spread very quickly, and the news is only spreading it faster. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!! Locking yourself away every time the news tells you that something bad is happening is not a good idea. If you did, you would seal up your house with plastic sheeting and duct tape, stock up on supplies to last you through the next decade and never leave. This is not a solution.
People need to learn to make their own decisions again. People need to learn to question what they see, what they read and what they hear. What happened to the time when people asked REAL questions? Engaged in honest debate? Took the time to understand what is going on around them, instead of just blindly believing everything they are told?
Honestly, I blame the school system. Even when I was going through school, my education had nothing to do with teaching me to think. It was about teaching me to know things, teaching me to parrot back my teacher's speeches, and to buy into everything I was taught. We were not taught to question things, or to come up with our own ideas.
One teacher was an exception to this, and every day, I thank her for being the amazing teacher that she was. She taught me to think. She taught me to see things from my own perspective, as well as those of others. She taught me to make connections between my ideas and those of others, and see things from all sides. She gave us the chance to question things, to engage in debate about differences in opinions. She taught me art, poetry, history, literature, and so much more. She taught me that life isn't about agreeing with everyone, or making everyone happy. She sometimes butted heads with the school on several issues, but she always stood her ground. She taught me to stand up for what I believe in, even if no one else agreed with me.
I wish more people had teachers like her. I wish more people were honest with their own ideas. I wish more people had the guts to stand up for what they believe, to question authority, to speak out when they see something going wrong. Instead, we have a nation of sheep. Sheep who bleet back the same answers to the same questions, never stopping to think it might be wrong.
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Politically Correct, or Politically Crap
Over the years, freedom of thought has been replaced by an overwhelming need to be politically correct. For one, I think this is crap! If I have an opinion, as long as it is in no way a danger to someone else, why shouldn't I be allowed to express it? Since when did we become so obsessed with not offending anyone?
Politically correct bull crap is everywhere!! We aren't even supposed to offend dangerous terrorists by calling them terrorists anymore. Let's see...they blow up buildings, want to kill us for no other reason than because we aren't them, and they want to incite terror. What should we call them? Friends? Those people who don't like us? Dislikers of Americans? It's crap!!! THEY ARE TERRORISTS!!!!
We can't put up a Christmas tree, or say Merry Christmas, because it might offend someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. What kind of idiot would be offended by someone trying to be nice?? Who is offended when someone offers a kind greeting or comment?? It's crap!!!!
Recently, much attention has been drawn to the Miss USA pageant, specifically to the contestant from California. So much attention because of one stupid question at a stupid, outdated custom known as a beauty pageant. Really?? Who cares what she thinks? Does it really affect the world that much if Miss California thinks marriage should only be between a man and a woman? Not really. It's crap!!! She stated her opinion. Good for her!!!! She can think for herself!
Later on, it was revealed that contestants are coached to give only politically correct answers to questions. They aren't even expected to give their own opinions. They don't even want contestants to give their own opinions, they just want them to parrot mindless, politically correct B.S.!! That being the case, what is really the point of that part of the competition anyway??? It's crap!!! I, for one, congratulate Miss California for being brave enough to stand by her own beliefs, and for not being one of the many, mindless, bleating sheep!!! Do I agree with her opinions, no, but that isn't the point. She was told not to give her own opinions, she did it anyway, despite the consequences. She didn't hurt anyone, she didn't endanger anyone, she didn't even offend anyone. And, anyone who was offended, well, they need to grow up. She's just as entitled to her opinion as anyone else.
She is not in a position of power, she didn't condemn anyone, she didn't call for rounding up people who disagree, she did nothing wrong!!! The people who are in the wrong here are the ones who would vilify her for her opinions. The ones that say that no other opinion is allowed but theirs. In matters of opinion, anyone who says that you are wrong because you don't agree with them, are narrow-minded, pig-headed and just plain wrong. Their opinions are thier own, but to say that their opinions are the only right ones, that is wrong.
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CommentsLoading...
Just popped around, sorry it took so long, just been learning stuff around here....I love this hub.....its as if I wrote these words myself..."Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" has always been one of my sayings....voted up & awesome! Take great care!
Anna, yes you are right on your points. And in reading this again for a third time, I do agree with the Merry Christmas part as well. Sorry I guess I was just being a little knit picky. And thanks as well for the second part of your comment to me. It makes your point very clear.
Keep up the good writing. And may all good things come to you and those you touch.
Robertbloggert-- I love your response to my hub!!! Regarding political correctness, I just think it's stupid that people should not have to fear offending someone by saying "Merry Christmas." I fully believe in having respect, and treating people well. I am a firm believer in the golden rule. I just think politeness is one thing and what political correctness has become is another.
I agree that a shepherd would be nothing without sheep, but a shepherd needs to use caution when leading, and sheep need to be aware of who they are following and question when they don't agree with the direction of the shepherd.
As far as free thinkers go, Thomas Jefferson was a free thinker, as was Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, and John Lennon. Your examples just further my point. Be cautious in who you follow and who you believe in. Some shepherds only want to lead you astray.
Great hub and great idea in theory. But you left out one important part. Society, uhm unless your on an island you live in one. And in that case what you term political correctness could also be termed manners, politeness or respect for others.
Now I mention this because it's obvious your Hub is very popular with your followers. But now you have a herd of free thinkers great! So now what?
And please don't take this as personal but I am just thinking for myself here. But your hub ends without meaning or a solution to any real problems. It is merely a self centered, self indulgent view of "crap" you don't like or agree with. And just reveals to us you have a leader personality rather than that of a follower.
But the real truth is just that there are followers and there are leaders, (and some have a little of both traits) but does that make the sheep less than the shepherd? One doesn't exist without the other. And I know I'm digressing here.
So to my point, free thinking in theory is great but you can't forget the rest of the picture such as rule and laws. Examples, Charles Manson was a free thinker, David Koresh another free thinker, Jim Jones, Adolph Hitler and so on all free thinkers. But all these are what you get when you say think free and I don't give a crap what others think in the same breath.
Think for yourself yes! But in doing so don't forget to think about others.
I think for myself and I give a "crap" what others think as well it's called being a good citizen.
Again this is not personal and I am actually even a new fan. Great thought provoking hub.
bearclawmedia-- Sadly, I think the only truly ethical sheep herder was Jesus (for those that believe in him, that is).
Pollyannalana-- Good for you!!
epigramman-- Glad you found the hub, and that it inspired you!!
mailxpress-- Glad you loved it. It's best to stand by your beliefs, even if they are unpopular.
I love it. Thinking for yourself. Excellent. Stand up for what you believe in and stand your ground. My opinion might raise some eyebrows but that's to bad. I sometimes feel people want to share my opinion but feel they should not speak up because the opinion does not please the majority of the group. Fear is the word. Another great read. I admire your strong will to speak your mind and stick to it.
yes it's true - I have been living in my 'closet' mind UNTIL I started reading you - and now I am open and free!
think for yourself/myself: I just started doing that now when I found your hubdelicious hub page.......
Words ARE powerful...but I have always thought for myself.
Well spoken. The sheep will still be sheep, next year and the year after that. We simply need ethical sheep herder's. Have they disappeared?
jacobkuttyta-- Words are powerful. More people should remember that.
James-- I am glad you found it!! And I am glad you liked it!! Truthfully, I am blind as a bat! LOL!! All jokes aside, thank you!!!!
I know this Hub is not new; but it is new to me. It is one of the best I have ever read. Bravo! I intend to read your work more often. You clearly not only have eyes—but you can see.
There is power in your words.
Thanks for the hub
Anath-- It all starts with things that seem innocent..."color inside the lines.", "trees shouldn't be purple." Thank you!!!
The world is full of sheep, from the craddle we are told what to say, what to wear and never stray away from that... urghhh!
Glad to find a soulmate that thinks that politically correctness is a lot of crap.
bc-- I know...I have been lazy!! I am working on something right now. Should have it done in a day or two!!
MaryElena-- Thank you!! I can't take credit for the pics, I just found them.
emohealer-- Thank you!! Lambs to the slaughter is right...maybe I will add in a clip of Silence of the Lambs...LOL
Awesome!!!!!! So well put, so well depicted, I love the pictures, and how you presented the subject. So very true, as they say like lambs to the slaughter. Great wake up call, we really need it...Thanks!
Great hub...I'm not sure if you did all of the editing of the pics but they were perfect. Thanks
bernie-- Thanks a bunch!!!
OMG, I love your hub!
Enelle-- I get frowned upon fairly often as well, don't take it to personally!!
So nice to see someone else challenge the political correctness of today's society. While I can appreciate the fact that we are 'all just trying to get along' the powers that be have taken this waaay too far! Now you are frowned upon for just speaking your mind. Unfortunately, I'm frowned upon a lot LOL...
Thanks for the great read!
Aya Katz-- Yes, I am very thankful for the great teacher I had. I wish more people had at least one great teacher, that really challenged them to think.
Anna Marie Bowman, thank goodness for that one great teacher you had!
Cheff Jeff-- True, a great many great thinkers and truly wise people never did fit with the political climate of the times.
Yes, a little healthy debate is always good. I think it keeps us thinking, keeps us questioning, and challenges us.
Well, great thinkers do not always fit the current political climate or the prevailing "wisdom" so all of write and hope that what we say is understood, and in some cases, prescient.
Keep writing and whether we agree or not makes little difference - it is the fun of discussing with passion our point of view, is it not?
YAY!!! Gotta check it out!!! It's ok...as long as I still have a few secrets left! LOL
Anna Marie I finally published the ins and outs of our recent holiday. Don't worry I never told all your secrets only 99% of them ROFL.
SEM Pro-- Yes, lemmings!!! LOL!!! Thank you!!! Thank you also for the comment! Ayn Rand had some good thoughts. I agree, there is a lot of great thinkers here on HP, I may not always agree with all of them all of the time, but that's what's so great!!
BP-- Thank you!!!! You should never worry about what others think of you. You only ever have to answer to yourself. {{{hugs}}}
Really well said Anna, I for one think for myself, and I don't lose sleep worrying about what people think of me, for saying the things that I am thinking. (hugs)
So true Anna - we used to call them "lemmings" because one will jump off a cliff and all the others will follow blindly to their death. There's a renewed movement of younger folks reading Ayn Rand's books and realizing that being part of the 5% who actually think is a much more rewarding path! I do believe the greatest number of the 5% are right here in hp though :) Great hub - great point!
oleum camino-- WOW!!! Your comment is almost a hub in itself. Such wonderful insight. Thank you for your comment!!! You make a lot of valid, and interesting points.
Cheff Jeff-- You are right. People often do just pick up bits of "facts" to fit what they already believe, similar to how some people pick and choose parts of their particular religion to fit with ideas they have, yet ignore other parts. I think a lot of it has to do with a self-serving society. We have become used to picking and choosing. A little from column A and a bit from column B, etc.
Why should I think for myself when I have an entire network of dedicated people with an agenda to think for me? LOL!!!
I often believe we just find "facts" and info to fit our preconceived notions and then fool ourselves into believing we are actually thinking for ourselves. Anyone else out there believe the same way as do I?
In the minds of the sheep the flock is about survival, family and producing a better way of living; to the shepherd the flock is about the time to shear and slaughter.
I agree with your defamation of the sheep but in truth the sheep you speak of have been a part of society in one capacity or another since the beginning of civilization. In general the sheep used to be the average person who was too busy with the general prospects of their lives to be involved in any meaningful way. Having sheep in the country is not the problem as much as the quality of the sheep and the inherent lack of integrity in the shepherds. At one time the sheep were strong, self-reliant characters who took on the challenges of an untamed land (in ways most people today would call savage) and built lives for their families. They did not get involved because they were busy surviving. Today’s sheep is busy being entertained, placated and manipulated by the ever present corrupt group of shepherds. The shepherds were always corrupt to one extent or another but when the sheep stopped being self-reliant the door was opened to allow the shepherds complete control.
Professor Alexander Fraser Tytler,: " A Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of Government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess out of public treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that Democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy, always to be followed by a Dictatorship."
Getting long but one more point is that the addition of the media as an apparent ‘watch dog’, fifth column or fourth estate to the three branches of government has occurred in the United States. The following quote from Bill Moyers is very accurate but for one word:
“Our media institutions, deeply embedded in the power structures of society, are not providing the information that we need to make our democracy work. To put it another way, corporate media consolidation is a corrosive social force. It robs people of their voice in public affairs and pollutes the political culture. And it turns the debates about profound issues into a shouting match of polarized views promulgated by partisan apologists who trivialize democracy while refusing to speak the truth about how our country is being plundered.”*
the word is democracy – America is a Republic and the addition of the media into the government in any fashion results in a sharp turn toward Democracy. We become a Democracy doomed to failure because the politicians through the media can now use the population for the advancement of governmental power and to the detriment of the true liberties of the people. They can do this because they are no longer bound by the Constitution or the laws created to support the constitution because they can control public opinion via the media and in turn control legislation through an emotional public.
*Disclosure - When Bill Moyers said this he was ranting against dangers of the capitalistic moguls who run media empires. I believe his arguments against capitalism in the media are incorrect in the light of the evidence that the media is losing money and public support rapidly but are not doing anything to change their business practices. IMO, this means the media is more about the message and power than money.
I thought that they looked familiar!!! Clever of them to pose as sheep!!
No. I mean the picture of the three sheep. That's goldentoad, Shadesbreath, and Spryte in sheep's clothing.
Chris-- Yeah, I would imagine it started a long time ago. You mean the picture of the naked people laying in a field, that are supposed to look like sheep??
Hi Anna: When did the sheep thing start exactly? I think it was a long time ago. And your right about the regular flu. It kills like 36,000 people every year, and the swine flu has killed how many in this country? 2? 3? Good job, Anna. Someday we have to start thinking for ourselves.
P.S. Forgive me if you or someone else has already pointed this out, but you do know that the picture of all those sheep are not sheep at all, right?
Paraglider-- All I can do is speak my mind and hope there are people out there willing to listen. Sadly, there are not that many.
Mike-- It is often those on the fringe of society that seem to see things the most clearly. It's hard to see that cliff ahead of you, when you are just one of the blind sheep amongst the herd. It's always those standing off to the side, that see the danger ahead.
bernie1936-- Nope, the word crap isn't politically correct. I couldn't use the word I really wanted to use (far less politically correct), for fear of the retribution from the HubPages censors. I can't understand why someone was escorted out of a school board meeting for using the word 'crap'. Yeah, I kind of like that word!! Thank you!!
The word crap is not political correct. The word was used in one of our school board meetings. The person was escorted out.
You sure like that word! Ha Ha! Glad we are not "sheeple"
Fantastic Hub. I just love it. Keep going!
Anna, you are so correct. We are bombarded with messages from all sources telling us what to think, what to eat, how to look, what to wear, where to live, etc., and so many of us have given in to them on a few (or many) levels. It is so difficult not to succumb on some level. I look to the writers, the artists, the folks that still find unique ways to express themselves for inspiration. They are still trying to think for themselves. And thank you for exhorting us to be individuals.
Very good hub, Anna Marie. We have sheeple a plenty in Europe too, but I think the rot runs deeper in the US these days. For one, I don't understand the lack of public protest over there. It's unhealthy.
Paper Moon-- Thank you!!! It's all about the almighty dollar. It never seems to matter who gets hurt in the process. We get blindly led along, from one disaster/epidemic/scare tactic to another, yet, no one stands up and questions why. No one looks at where the problems really lie.
The swine flu, may be a dangerous one, but not such a big deal. funny how it originated on a farm in mexico that was owned by an american company. You have to wonder what rights of the people were sold at the time all were looking the other way. Sometimes I have hope for the world. Then all I hear is Baaaa.
santoion-- Thank you!
AEvans-- It really is. I have seen a few people wearing masks at the hospital. They were worried about getting the Swine Flu or who knows what else. I have been around all kinds of unpleasant diseases, and as long as you take proper precautions, there is nothing you need to worry about. We have a couple cases in the county I live in, but it's really nothing serious. I think the regular flu was more of a concern than this is.
It is hilarious isn't it? Swine flu good grief people were running for cover and in our ER everyone wanted a SARS mask and we (staff) didn't wear masks at all, it was simply about cleaning the hands and sanitization. I am still fine and I can report that everyone that came in with the exception of 1 had regular everyday colds. :)
Very good hub.Thank You !
LMAO you did really well I was testing your reflexes haha.xoxox
BP-- Thank you!!! LOL!!! I can't do everyone's thinking for them. I can only handle a few at a time. I think green to bring out your eyes, fish is healthy...does that help??? LOL!!!
Great job Anna. So very very true what you say here.....Anna what dress shall I wear tomorrow.....should I cook fish or steak. Anna what shall I do... LMAO
trooper22-- I agree to an extent. The government has long used propoganda and fear to get us to fall in line, to see things from the perspective that they want us to, but we seem to be going further and further down the road to complete and total blind obediance and lack of individual thought.
OptimistsOnly-- Thank you so much!!!!
Fear is contagious and it is time we stop spreading it! Thank you for sharing. Couldn't agree more. Keep this kind of energy coming!
Nemingha-- I agree that it is a global affliction, and I agree that America does bear the brunt of it. I think it has less to do with too much information, as it does with too much misinformation. People hear something, take it as fact, and spread it like a virus. The internet, great as it is as an information tool, is very much to blame. I could write any crazy, outrageous lie, and a large number of people would take it as fact, share it with others, and so on. It's like a global rumor mill. Thank you for being a fan!!
The Mindless Brute-- Thank you very much!!! Viva la Revolution!!! It's time we had more people standing up for intellectualism and individual thought. Thank you for your inspiring comment!! I feel the need to add to this Hub a bit. I am familiar with Judge Napolitano and his book!!!
Jerilee-- I completely agree with you. Having the school system in the control of the government is a dangerous thing. Sadly, private school is far too expensive, so I make sure to do everything I can to teach my daughter to think for herself, and not blindly follow the herd. The government does not want us to think. If we did, they might be in trouble.
Ashley-- I am with you there. I have seen friends, during my time in school, though it was several years ago, who questioned teachers, questioned ideas, spoke up about their opinions. They were labled as having "behavior disorders", reccomendations were made to their parents to put them on medication, and they were even removed from regular classes, for fear that they would "contaminate" the rest of the students. It really is sad. This country was founded on radical ideas, independent thought, search for freedom of ideas, and we have fallen so far.
Patty-- Thank you!!! I was always taught to think. My parents would ask me questions like, "Why do you think that is?" "What do you think?" It really helped me. I know parents are partially to blame, as they seem to have less time for their families, less time to invest in helping thier children with their education. I, too, tend to fall on the more independent side, I just thought those were too funny not to add.
someonewhoknows-- Interesting. Thank you!! Thought provoking and I appreciate the comment!!!!
Great artical! You are spot on, but the nation has always been a nation of sheep. As a matter of fact, all nations are nations of sheep for that matter. If you think about it, the U.S. is just like any other nation in that regard when you take into account that people will believe "trusted" sources of information over reality. There is a great line in Gladiator (movie by Ridley Scott) "Rome is the Mob". If you control the minds of the people, you control the nation. The one thing that stands out about this administration over others in the past is that we have two Constitutional lawyers running the show for the first time since the Revolution. These two men know the law, and will rule by it. They have and will rule for the people that give them the power to do so. For a change we have an administration that is for all of the people, and not just for the powerful few that put them in office.
If it,weren't spelled s"h"eep with an "h" instead of an "L" they would all be --- a-s"l"eep.
If it weren't for "shear" audasity sheep probably couldn't be sheared
If it weren't for "Baaa"-d manners sheep would be mistaken for well sheep.
If it weren't for sheep we'd all be watching what the "Bleep" do we know.
If it,weren't for sheep there would be no dip in the economy.
If it,weren't for sheep I could count on getting a good night sleep.
If it,weren't for sheep there would be something left of the country to keep.
In GED & college prep classes, the first thing I taught was critical thinking, because my students ages 16 - 60 half the time could not see patterns, parallels, cause and effect, sequences, similarities and differences, implications, consequences... I do not know how these individuals survived before; but know that much of the drama and legal problems they incurred stemmed from this.
GREAT cartoon verbal balloons here. I'm laughing.
I see sheep around both major political parties, so I stay Independent.
Thanks!!
As a parent I have watched the schools force many children to become sheep. Those that do not are encouraged to be put on meds or held back to the point school frustrates them. Those that think for themselves are not liked by the teachers. It is sad that they do not teach our children to think for themselves and question the world around them so they will learn more.
Couldn't agree more. Critical thinking is usually taught, if it's taught at all at college level, which is backwards. The trouble with public schools is the word "public" which really means "government" schools and they don't want kids to think. We've now got generations of people who were never encouraged to think or question.
There is a rising tide of free thinkers that are shedding their labels speaking out in unison,bringing lucid thoughts to the table.As the people begin to walk out of Plato's cave they start to see through the haze,once out of the maze,we need more so our children don't wake up indentured slaves.Let's hope to convince others to leave behind the old ways.Excellent hub,viva the intellectual revolution!Let's all do what we can consider me starstruck and you have a new fan!For an excellent perspective on the dumbing down of America,Charlotte Iserbyt is the first name that comes my mind.
http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/pages/author.
A great political perspective comes through the eyes of former Judge Andrew Napolitano's book"A Nation of Sheep" an excellent read.
Keep speaking truth to power,good luck and God speed!
Charlotte Iserbyt
The inability to think for ourselves is a worldwide pandemic, although I do believe America is by far the worst afflicted country to date. Once upon a time this affliction could be ascribed to a lack of information but these days it seems to be more attributable to information overload. Not good, unbiased and honest information from reputable sources, but the type of information that people want known to fulfill some personal hidden agenda.
Great hub, I am now a fan.
anjalichugh-- Completely true!! The best thing you can do is wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer, and avoid people who seem to be exibiting flu-like symptoms. Thank you!!!
Sufidreamer-- I agree with you! We have become a society where style outweighs substance. Otherwise, we wouldn't have shows starring Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and other no talent idiots. I am working on an idea for a hub about reality shows, not sure how it's going to go yet.
Dolores-- I like to be scared as much as, if not more, than most, but I prefer to keep it to horror movies and scary books. Real life can be scary, and because of that fact, we don't really need the media hyping it up to extreme levels.
eovery-- I grew up in IL, and know the quality of public schools there. There are a few good ones, mostly in the suburbs, but as a whole, IL schools are not that great. IL politics are to blame for most of the problems in IL. Isn't it great that we have so many politicians in Washington that come from the machine politics of IL??
LM-- I completely agree. We should teach our children how to think, not what to think. My daughter is only in kindergarten, and she is in a liberal school system. Her teacher seemed to feel it was necessary to indoctrinate her about how great Obama was. I don't think teaching a liberally biased political agenda is a good idea, especially not at the age of 5!
GT-- It may be easier not to think, and if you would like, I will do all of your thinking for you. Just so you know, you think I am great!! LOL!!!
kea-- You are completely right!!!! This society has become one of placing blame everywhere else. No one takes responsibility for their own actions. I am so sick of hearing criminals blame the things they do on where they grew up, how they grew up, etc.
dianacharles-- Thank you!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This country needs more teachers like you, and your students will greatly benefit from your unique approach. It certainly says something about the school system today, when children are confused when you allow them to question things, engage in debate, and think for themselves.
shamelabboush-- Thank you!! It's the mob mentality at it's worst. Don't think, just blindly follow everyone else. They must be right. It's just sad.
Lisa HW-- It's a scary thing to disagree with someone. It's scary to stand up and say, "That's not right!" when so many people are saying it is. We used to be a strong nation that did stand up when things weren't right. What happened to the types of people that would say things like, "Give me liberty or give me death."? My favorite quote, and one I will more than likely add to this hub is, "The only thing needed for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing."
Elena-- I agree, personal responsibility is very important!! But, children are taught to respect, and listen to, their parents, teachers, etc. When a child is taught from a young age, that they need to think a certain way, to believe certain things, and to not question those things, it is difficult for them to learn to think for themselves. Check out the other comment on that issue, that I made about my daughter and her teacher.
Abodos-- You are right. People often only hear what they want to hear.
Deltachord-- I am beginning to think we are closer to 1984 than most people realize.
tony-- You are right!!! In fact, I plan on adding something about being politically correct to this hub. It ties in to all of it. Thank you!!
SweetiePie-- Thank you!! We recently had a meeting at the hospital I work at that dealt with the swine flu. It was mostly informative, and basic precautions are really all that is needed. Obviously, working in a medical environment, more precautions are needed. People have over-reacted to the situation.
ledefensetech-- It seems as if people are becoming more stupid with every generation. Lack of common sense and the ability to think for ourselves will lead to a nation of idiots. If you have never seen the movie Idiocracy, I recommend you check it out.
Moonchild-- Thank you!!!! I couldn't agree with you more!!!
Cellar Door-- Thank you very much!!!
good point on the sensationalism of the media, society needs more people like you who say it how it is and dont beleive the hype!
Ok, I am officially a fan! I loved this. Oh my god, I have said this for so long, although I do occasionally say people are cattle instead of sheep. Still, followers. That is what society is. 10-20% of the population makes the rules and the rest of us follow. I feel it is definitly time for a revolution. People told what we can and cannot see in the News, being "distracted" by reality shows and other nonsense. Keeping us "entertained" so we don't take a good long look at what is really going on in our country has got to end. People have to start paying attention to what matters and stop being distracted by nonsense.
Anna, there have always been sheeple. It just seems that there are more of them as a percentage of the population than has been the case before. In part that has to do with the nature of most people. Most people wait for reality to smack them upside the head before they question their assumptions. Sometimes even that isn't enough.
Albert Jay Nock said it better than I ever could over 50 years ago: http://mises.org/story/2892/
Unfortunately we went the way of Jacksonian populism rather than Jeffersonian libertarianism long ago.
There was too much sensationalism about the swine flu. I like that your think for yourself and are glad to share this. It is nice to hear.
People are so busy being politically correct , and worrying about being liked that they forgot to be honest with themselves ! I have been awake for awhile . And I have said numerous times we do not suffer from swine flu we suffer from apathy !
Good hub Anna. People need to grok current situations. Are we in the book 1984 yet?
You've made a good point Anna. Much of the crap people believe is because they are told what they WANT to believe, rather than what they have been able to figure out based on actually thinking things through.
Very good read, Anna. The school system may be part of the problem, but I think a bigger part is just plain human nature. It's a lot easier to judge than to think. We aren't mandated to parrot what we're told, in school or by political leaders or by anyone, but many times we opt to do so because it's a lot more comfortable than having to do our own thinking, a lot less work. Way easier to sit back and enjoy TV. It's not all about what we're "taught" or not taught, it's a LOT about what we should be teaching ourselves but aren't. Yeah, I know, a bit pessimistic outlook compared to my usual sunny take on life, but with this I really can't find much of a sunny side. Whoops!
Anna Marie, good Hub - and I agree with it all. I think a lot of people don't have the self-confidence to be the first to say that "emperor has no clothes". Another group have no confidence in their own ability to think things out for themselves.
I totally agree with you, the sad thing is that most people enjoy this spirit of the herd and don't notch a bit. Great hub Anna.
When I told my class that I would like them to question, to feel free to doubt what I said...for that would teach them to think on their own and be people of substance...they looked at me bewildered. It took time, but finally they learned to question and started the process of thinkig for themselves. But as goldentoad said- it isnt easy to think for ourselves....that is why we just prefer to be followers.
I completely agree! Well stated. I think our society has become so lazy that everyone just wants to follow someone else and blame them for everything. There's no longer any such thing as personal accountability. It's not my fault!
Its much easier not to think. I wish someone would do it for me.
Teaching kids how to think instead of what to know is exactly what we should be doing! Great hub, Anna.
Great Hub Anna,
I think for myself. To mention the school system, they teach you what to think and not how to think. They have become so liberal, that they are starting to fail the students. The most liberal schools, who claim to be the free thinkers, are general the ones that struggles, and the more conservative school systems that teach and teach why you should think this way, are generally the more successful ones. Illinois has some of the worse school system, and who is now our Secretary of Education. A former leader inthe Chicago schools. I hope he doesn't do for all of the other school system, what he has done for the Chicago school systems.
Keep on Hubbing
Anna, I think we like to be scared. Or we are used to it. You can get pulled into to whatever big fear the media is currently hyping til you lose sleep over it and whip up into a constant state of anxiety. Not healthy.
And the flu thing? I'd like to get the flu now in the spring. Flu comes back hard in the fall and winter. The spring flu is really a milder form.
Excellent Hub, Anna Marie - I second Misha's comment.
Sadly, we live in the age of the soundbite and people have become too lazy to think for themselves - much easier to grab a beer and watch reality TV than question anything.
Sadly, style over substance is the order of the day - one of the many reasons why we left the UK.
Hey Anna! Here's a person who thinks the same way I do. Since the day media created a hype, I've been flooded with phone calls from my friends and relatives from my home country asking me to be careful and some of them even advised me to spend some time out of the country till the fear subsides. That was insane. I just told my son that all he needs to do is to wash his hands as many times as he can and that's all about it. I appreciate your endeavor for motivating people to flow against the current. It was so much needed.
IslandVoice-- Excellent comment!!! You are right!! Thank you so much!!
We hear too many voices that seduce our minds and better senses. We know there are cult and charismatic leaders who will take advantage of our weaknesses and gullibility. To trust ourselves, by thinking (and deciding) for ourselves, using our inner compasses is the right thing to do. Good challenge, good hub!
Thank you so much, Misha!!! That was fast!! I just published this!
If I was not your fan already, I would become one on the spot - beauty with brains is a killing combination. :)
Anna Marie Bowman Hub Author 18 months ago
Robert-- Thank you, no need to apologize. I appreciate your comments.
lyjo-- Thank you!!!