Admitting Stupidity

Liberty Magazine ^ | August, 2003 | Alec Mouhibian

[teeman8r]

i have to believe that "private institutions of higher learning" have the right to accept whomever they wish and the ones not chosen are free to go elsewhere...

i don't believe in government subsidizing any body's education... low interest loans are fine, with penalties for failure to pay on time...

i know it seems unfair, but life liberty and the pursuit of happiness is all we are guaranteed... grit up and move on and attend where you can get in...

eventually, minority status will pertain to you... but until then, move on... make the best of your life without worrying about the breaks others have gotten... know in your own success lies your abilities and not someone else's charity...

teeman

[JusPasenThru]

My trump card is that, when the going gets tough, I'm coming out of the closet. I'm happily married (to a woman) and have three children and have never had any form of sex with a man, BUT I know that deep down in my heart lurks some gay dude. Anyone who tries to fire me is going to end up with a Title VII lawsuit like they wouldn't believe.

[Doc On The Bay]

Thanks for your agreement.

Our ENTIRE CULTURE has been constructed on the concept of a "Meritocracy!"

To abandon or subvert this Concept is to UTTERLY DESTROY our Brief Effect on Mankind's History.

If we CANNOT keep a "Merit-Based" Culture in control of our overall culture, we have a Good Chance of becoming a "Footnote" in the History of Western Civilization.

The "Downside" of this "History" would likely be "Oblivion!!"

The ONLY Reason our Civilization has succeeded & Progressed is that WE REWARD MERIT!!

If the SH+T-for-BRAINS succeed in causing us to abandon "MERIT" as a Criterion for success in our Culture, we will Sink Back into the Slime from which we Originated.

Doc

[Doc On The Bay]

LOL!!

GO GET 'EM, TIGER!!

Doc

[patton]

I read part of it ... then I ralfed on my shoes. Not because of the topic, or the writing - because I recieved an unsoliceted award from UC Bezerkely. Around 1983, if my alzheimers is not fooling me.

The "Martin Kellog Award For Excellence In Linguistic Studies."

If I ever find the damn thing (I think it is in a moldy box in the basement), I am conflicted. Should I use it for compost, TP, or both?

[SJackson]

Cathryn, thanks for the ping. Alec, great article. For some years now the non objective admissions “wild card” has been the essay, “what you’ve overcome”. Right minority group, that’s an automatic hurdle. If not, maybe you were seriously ill, dad beat mom, or you were molested. Otherwise, you’ll just have to work harder, get better grades, and overcome the obstacle.

[BOBTHENAILER]

If we CANNOT keep a "Merit-Based" Culture in control of our overall culture, we have a Good Chance of becoming a "Footnote" in the History of Western Civilization..

Absolutely vital for our survival and avoidance of footnote status.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Here's an assignment for "extra credit": Using a "strict construction" of the fourteenth amendment's equal protection clause, see if you can explain why a state college should be permitted to discriminate on the basis of grades or SAT scores but not on the basis of race or ethnicity.

Knock it off! Don't you want him to get admitted to a college???

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Oh, don't be tho negative, thilly!

[King Prout]

This is excellent. Very well written. Reminds me a bit of the better works of P.J. O'Rourke.

[King Prout]

thank you VERY much for pinging me about this. I would have missed it, otherwise, and it IS excellent.

[attagirl]

Well, I read about 75% of it, I guess. Very interesting. This kind of thing has been going on unofficially for some time--making the college essay a Days of Our Lives extravaganza, that is. (Perhaps the NY Times could get a look-see and recruit these creative writers as future reporters.)

Seriously, though--I think it shows that the target mind-set is one that is ANTI-INDIVIDUAL. What is sought is one who feels like a victim and will act like a victim and will be a TEAM PLAYER who will GO WITH THE PROGRAM.

That's really why Clarence Thomas is so hated, you know.

[Alec Mouhibian]

Unfortunately nothing. Except, of course, for a degree.

(Though thankfully that doesn't mean much in the creative field.)

[Alec Mouhibian]

That is the most heartwarming thing anyone's ever said to me. And when's his next book coming out, already? Any rumors?

[King Prout]

que?

[King Prout]

oh... you meant PJ.
I don't know.

[King Prout]

he probably will not learn much at college, but he will get the sheepskin.
With a sheepskin (and $.93) he'll be able to get a cup of coffee.
See? It's worth it after all :)

[Ayn Rand wannabe]

If that's the most heartwarming praise you've received, man, you need to be praised more. The article was very well written and I also loved it, having just run that gauntlet myself last year. I know all about it. Congrats on making it through!

[UnklGene]

Thanks, Cathryn!

[A_perfect_lady]

May I ask what area you want your degree in?