Comments on: It doesn’t take a Netanyahu http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm A Machiavellian Perspective on the Middle East Conflict Sat, 19 May 2012 18:30:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Danny the Admin http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90690 Danny the Admin Tue, 06 May 2008 10:04:36 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90690 True about Chinese (not all of them), but it's different with Brahman Indians, from my experience. True about Chinese (not all of them), but it’s different with Brahman Indians, from my experience.

]]> By: Erick S http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90604 Erick S Mon, 05 May 2008 18:32:36 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90604 <blockquote>Some people are just naturally, by inclination and intelligence level, farmers, or cooks, or dry-cleaners, or manual laborers. That is the biggest problem with compulsory universal education.</blockquote> Very true words. What happens is that these people are usually at odds with the system, and end up becoming criminals, or eternally resentful of the establishment (Which they see as a bully that tried to force itself upon them), and educated people (Which they hate for getting ahead of them). Then again, a society can always use more soldiers. I say send the stupid ones for military psychic conditioning from third grade. Let it make useful citizens out of potential welfare receiving, wife beating, equally worthless child spawning, dangerously violent people. That last one was just wishful thinking. Not mixing them with children who are actually capable of learning can be a good step in the right direction though.

Some people are just naturally, by inclination and intelligence level, farmers, or cooks, or dry-cleaners, or manual laborers. That is the biggest problem with compulsory universal education.

Very true words. What happens is that these people are usually at odds with the system, and end up becoming criminals, or eternally resentful of the establishment (Which they see as a bully that tried to force itself upon them), and educated people (Which they hate for getting ahead of them).
Then again, a society can always use more soldiers. I say send the stupid ones for military psychic conditioning from third grade. Let it make useful citizens out of potential welfare receiving, wife beating, equally worthless child spawning, dangerously violent people.
That last one was just wishful thinking. Not mixing them with children who are actually capable of learning can be a good step in the right direction though.

]]> By: Erick S http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90601 Erick S Mon, 05 May 2008 18:23:45 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90601 <b>Anonymous:</b> The reason that nobody understands the Chinese is that they're not really using words. They are simply mumbling so we will think they use verbal communications. All Chinese communicate telepathically through the hive mind. Anonymous:
The reason that nobody understands the Chinese is that they’re not really using words. They are simply mumbling so we will think they use verbal communications.
All Chinese communicate telepathically through the hive mind.

]]> By: Joseph http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90595 Joseph Mon, 05 May 2008 17:45:12 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90595 anonymous -- And while getting students involved is a good thing, much of the problem is assuming everyone should learn the "subject of the day". Everyone is not cut out to be a physicist or computer programmer. Some people are just naturally, by inclination and intelligence level, farmers, or cooks, or dry-cleaners, or manual laborers. That is the biggest problem with compulsary universal education. In the US, we are turning out thousands of very qualified computer programmers every year, but Bill Gates insists that the government grant more work visas for Indians and Chinese because they will work for a tenth (or less) of what an American (or Israeli) would have to be paid just to pay back their student loans. anonymous — And while getting students involved is a good thing, much of the problem is assuming everyone should learn the “subject of the day”. Everyone is not cut out to be a physicist or computer programmer. Some people are just naturally, by inclination and intelligence level, farmers, or cooks, or dry-cleaners, or manual laborers. That is the biggest problem with compulsary universal education. In the US, we are turning out thousands of very qualified computer programmers every year, but Bill Gates insists that the government grant more work visas for Indians and Chinese because they will work for a tenth (or less) of what an American (or Israeli) would have to be paid just to pay back their student loans.

]]> By: Joseph http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90594 Joseph Mon, 05 May 2008 17:36:29 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90594 anonymous -- Very good point, but I think the problem could be mitigated by insisting that anyone hired to teach was required to be fluent in the language in which the course is taught. The younger the students, the higher the level of communication skills that should be required. I have had native English speakers as professors in the sciences that were very, very qualified as to their knowledge of the subjects and who had great and original insights, but could not explain anything. Like I said, the best practitioners are not always the best teachers of the subjects. There is a balance to be sought. It is as much a mistake to assume that someone who really knows the subject would be a good teacher as it is to assume that someone with great communication skills can teach any subject. Balance -- with a weighting in favor of communication the younger the student. anonymous — Very good point, but I think the problem could be mitigated by insisting that anyone hired to teach was required to be fluent in the language in which the course is taught. The younger the students, the higher the level of communication skills that should be required. I have had native English speakers as professors in the sciences that were very, very qualified as to their knowledge of the subjects and who had great and original insights, but could not explain anything. Like I said, the best practitioners are not always the best teachers of the subjects. There is a balance to be sought. It is as much a mistake to assume that someone who really knows the subject would be a good teacher as it is to assume that someone with great communication skills can teach any subject. Balance — with a weighting in favor of communication the younger the student.

]]> By: anonymous http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90592 anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 17:16:36 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90592 Full disclosure - I went to an Ivy League university and studied physics. We *ALWAYS* complained about the "Chinese TA" (teaching assistant) who: a) was a very nice guy; b) understood his stuff; c) had HORRIBLE communication skills. If a class full of serious physics majors (aged 16-23) could not understand the CHinese TA (truly - we couldn't understand a word those guys ever said - it was the accent, but it was more than that), TRUST ME, the class of elementary school kids, many of whom do not have talent for math, will have trouble with the Chinese Teachers. Teaching math properly requires charisma and dramatic flair for getting the kids involved. Communication skills are NO LESS important than math skills. Communication skills are language oriented but they are also culture oriented. Full disclosure – I went to an Ivy League university and studied physics. We *ALWAYS* complained about the “Chinese TA” (teaching assistant) who:
a) was a very nice guy;
b) understood his stuff;
c) had HORRIBLE communication skills.
If a class full of serious physics majors (aged 16-23) could not understand the CHinese TA (truly – we couldn’t understand a word those guys ever said – it was the accent, but it was more than that), TRUST ME, the class of elementary school kids, many of whom do not have talent for math, will have trouble with the Chinese Teachers.
Teaching math properly requires charisma and dramatic flair for getting the kids involved. Communication skills are NO LESS important than math skills. Communication skills are language oriented but they are also culture oriented.

]]> By: Joseph http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90591 Joseph Mon, 05 May 2008 16:51:21 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90591 Ray -- All Nobel Prizes are not the same. I guess you have in mind Chemistry, Medicine, Physics, rather than the "Peace" prize. === If we only used "great" teachers, 98% of schools would have to be closed. === Great practitioners are often not the best teachers, Mozart and Beethoven for example. One can learn the basics of classical guitar from a competent teacher and be prepared for master classes with a Segovia or Bream. Same for any subject. One does not need to study with Bertrand Russell to learn algebra. The concern with "teaching children to think", rather than to learn the basics is usually just an institutionalized excuse for teachers that do not even know the basics. === I agree with you about computer learning -- far better to have a good computer program than an incompetent teacher. === anonymous -- I agree that teachers should be getting the money instead of bureaucrats. And, ideally, kids should have teachers from similar backgrounds. But, mathematics in particular is a "universal language". And Indians, like the Chinese, are exceptionally good at learning languages, even if with an accent, and I think that would extend to Hebrew if they had a reason to learn it. They are (both) also very good at math, physics, chemistry, et cetera. === Back to Ray -- The reason that the Indians and Chinese are so good at learning and teaching the sciences, even if not at making great innovations in them, is because of the traditions in their cultures of "rote memorization" which is so despised by modern, western, (incompetent) teachers unions. The Chinese especially HAVE to exercise their memories just to learn the thousands of ideograms with which their language is written. This capability is extended to memorizing the "basics" of the sciences. This form of learning was also the norm in the west at the time of its greatest mental and social advancement. Until the early 1900s, the Brits assumed that any educated person could read Greek and Latin (as well as speak French fluently). But, of course, that collapsed with compulsary universal education. If every idiot's child has to be given a degree, obviously the quality of education will suffer. The Jews of Israel do not have the problem of racial variations in intelligence that America and the Brits suffer from however, so a higher standard could and should be expected. === As for calling teachers by their first names, I generally disapprove, but that is how the west has devolved. Out having a beer with your teacher, you might call him "Bill", but in the dojo, he should be called "Sensei". Ray — All Nobel Prizes are not the same. I guess you have in mind Chemistry, Medicine, Physics, rather than the “Peace” prize.
===
If we only used “great” teachers, 98% of schools would have to be closed.
===
Great practitioners are often not the best teachers, Mozart and Beethoven for example. One can learn the basics of classical guitar from a competent teacher and be prepared for master classes with a Segovia or Bream. Same for any subject. One does not need to study with Bertrand Russell to learn algebra. The concern with “teaching children to think”, rather than to learn the basics is usually just an institutionalized excuse for teachers that do not even know the basics.
===
I agree with you about computer learning — far better to have a good computer program than an incompetent teacher.
===
anonymous — I agree that teachers should be getting the money instead of bureaucrats. And, ideally, kids should have teachers from similar backgrounds. But, mathematics in particular is a “universal language”. And Indians, like the Chinese, are exceptionally good at learning languages, even if with an accent, and I think that would extend to Hebrew if they had a reason to learn it. They are (both) also very good at math, physics, chemistry, et cetera.
===
Back to Ray — The reason that the Indians and Chinese are so good at learning and teaching the sciences, even if not at making great innovations in them, is because of the traditions in their cultures of “rote memorization” which is so despised by modern, western, (incompetent) teachers unions. The Chinese especially HAVE to exercise their memories just to learn the thousands of ideograms with which their language is written. This capability is extended to memorizing the “basics” of the sciences. This form of learning was also the norm in the west at the time of its greatest mental and social advancement. Until the early 1900s, the Brits assumed that any educated person could read Greek and Latin (as well as speak French fluently). But, of course, that collapsed with compulsary universal education. If every idiot’s child has to be given a degree, obviously the quality of education will suffer. The Jews of Israel do not have the problem of racial variations in intelligence that America and the Brits suffer from however, so a higher standard could and should be expected.
===
As for calling teachers by their first names, I generally disapprove, but that is how the west has devolved. Out having a beer with your teacher, you might call him “Bill”, but in the dojo, he should be called “Sensei”.

]]> By: Erick S http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90533 Erick S Mon, 05 May 2008 10:50:29 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90533 <b>Anonymous:</b> I didn't say that you should use your <i>real</i> name, just some kind of nickname so it will be easier to relate back to you. As for what you wrote: I'll take your word about the budget size, but isn't it true that Israel is behind most modern countries in the quality of education? So are you saying most of this budget is simply spent poorly? Anonymous:
I didn’t say that you should use your real name, just some kind of nickname so it will be easier to relate back to you.
As for what you wrote: I’ll take your word about the budget size, but isn’t it true that Israel is behind most modern countries in the quality of education? So are you saying most of this budget is simply spent poorly?

]]> By: anonymous http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90517 anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 08:26:31 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90517 When I said $1 million pension, I was referring to the total value of the pension - her law suit was for 4.5 million NIS which at the time was worth $1 million - at today's exchange rate, that would be something like $1.2 million. When I said $1 million pension, I was referring to the total value of the pension – her law suit was for 4.5 million NIS which at the time was worth $1 million – at today’s exchange rate, that would be something like $1.2 million.

]]> By: anonymous http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-90514 anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 08:24:23 +0000 http://samsonblinded.org/blog/it-doesnt-take-a-netanyahu.htm#comment-90514 I do not use my real name because I am not in Kansas anymore, and I do not think I enjoy First Amendment protection for my speech. Of course, if I were inciting Syria to attack us ... BACK TO TOPIC - I am no xenophobic, and have nothing wrong with foreigners - on a PRACTICAL level, I think it is STUPID to have Israeli kids learn MATH in a foreign language - this will force kids to spend 30% of their brainpower translating when they should be spending 100% of their brainpower on MATH !!! I am in favor of much more English in Israeli schools (even though most of Israeli's gov't officials are twits who do not know basic English) but I do not think that "Math Hour" is the time to be working on your English. In addition, the English the kids would learn from Indian teachers would NOT be the "king's English" but would most likely be replete with grammatical errors, etc. I am not sure that frontal exposure to English speaker's whose English is weak is the best way to improve one's English. As for the apparachniks eating up Israel's education budget, to be fair the evidence I have in hand AT THIS TIME is: a) I read that Israel is ranked ahead of many countries in educational budget per capita (I remember in the early 1990's Rabin bragged that he increased the education budget to exceed the defense budget); b) our teacher salaries are low; c) average class size is HUGE - I don't care HOW good the teacher is, if there are 40 kids in the class .... d) anecdotal evidence (my wife is an educator) about the WASTE in the Education Ministry - in 2005, Ronit Tirosh (now an MK from the Kadima Krooks, then a senior level official) sued the State of Israel for a $1 million pension !!!! How many successful businesspeople get a $1 million pension after 20-25 years of work in Israel !!! (or in America for that matter). And this is from the public till ... I do not use my real name because I am not in Kansas anymore, and I do not think I enjoy First Amendment protection for my speech. Of course, if I were inciting Syria to attack us …
BACK TO TOPIC – I am no xenophobic, and have nothing wrong with foreigners – on a PRACTICAL level, I think it is STUPID to have Israeli kids learn MATH in a foreign language – this will force kids to spend 30% of their brainpower translating when they should be spending 100% of their brainpower on MATH !!!
I am in favor of much more English in Israeli schools (even though most of Israeli’s gov’t officials are twits who do not know basic English) but I do not think that “Math Hour” is the time to be working on your English.
In addition, the English the kids would learn from Indian teachers would NOT be the “king’s English” but would most likely be replete with grammatical errors, etc. I am not sure that frontal exposure to English speaker’s whose English is weak is the best way to improve one’s English.
As for the apparachniks eating up Israel’s education budget, to be fair the evidence I have in hand AT THIS TIME is:
a) I read that Israel is ranked ahead of many countries in educational budget per capita (I remember in the early 1990’s Rabin bragged that he increased the education budget to exceed the defense budget);
b) our teacher salaries are low;
c) average class size is HUGE – I don’t care HOW good the teacher is, if there are 40 kids in the class ….
d) anecdotal evidence (my wife is an educator) about the WASTE in the Education Ministry – in 2005, Ronit Tirosh (now an MK from the Kadima Krooks, then a senior level official) sued the State of Israel for a $1 million pension !!!! How many successful businesspeople get a $1 million pension after 20-25 years of work in Israel !!! (or in America for that matter).
And this is from the public till …

]]>