We are becoming an overweight, underachieving society because we choose to sit in front of a computer, or television, or video game and have instant everything. You can shop, talk, debate, create,, pay your bills, and be entertained without ever leaving your computer chair. The lack of physical work, human interaction, and social responsibility is a dangerous path that we are heading down. It develops more of a “me” society and less of a “we” society. It desensitizes and dehumanizes. We see images instead of real people. We use user names in editorials and blogs instead of our real names. We lack moderation and balance.
Technology is a wonderful tool, but so is nuclear energy. We cannot become a gluttonous or slothful society or we and our future generations will pay for it. The value of physical work, human (face to face) interaction, and socially responsible behavior and tact can’t be lost if America is to retain the pride and leadership qualities it has possessed in the past. Diluted or misguided values= a diluted and misguided society. Education is no different.
Schools faced with budget cuts are not hiring back retiring teachers. For example, a retiring history teacher I know has had his history classes replaced by on-line classes. Why not make all schools—every class-- on –line. Kids can just stay home all day and sit in front of their computer. They can become even more faceless and more desensitized. The public wants accountability for quality education though, so that would mean those on-line companies would be responsible for ISAT test scores (they currently aren’t) and they would be candidates for AYP jail. Oh, and forget school sports teams—join any team. Who needs small town America? If it’s really about saving money—cut public schools. Pull the plug—Go 100% on-line. Who needs high school proms, homecoming floats, school drama, or sports? Who needs face to face interaction? Just give them a computer. Problem solved.
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