Lowest Common Denominator

This may come off as pompous, though I assure you that is not the intent. However, I am starting to become a tad concerned about the intelligence level, or apparent lack thereof, in our society. Now, perhaps I simply do not associate with enough people, or pay attention to enough popular culture, but it seems that everything is set to appeal to the lowest common denominator of society. And the number of people in that category appears to be increasing. You could argue this goes hand and hand with the steadily increasing gap between rich and poor. Education is expensive, and education equals intelligence. Right? Bah. Poppycock. Maybe 100 years ago when if you were from a poor family you were working at the age of eight. These days it's simply that even our education is set to cater to the lowest common denominator. Money may get you a tutor to actually teach you, but other than that your income isn't the issue.

I have been concerned about this since I was a child. Now, I am no genius. I'm not a prodigy. I am however, at least when it comes to testing, smart. This certainly has nothing to do with my education or my family's income bracket. Neither have been anything close to impressive. Far from it. Neither of my parents possess post secondary diplomas/degrees; though they were very supportive and intelligent. I never had a tutor purchased for my enrichment or even the Discovery channel. In elementary school I was top of the graduating class. This was far from impressive considering I was correcting the English of my grade eight teacher while testing at a grade twelve English level. If I was correcting my teacher's English it obviously wasn't his help that made my grades high. I, and a few of my schoolmates, were actually all but ignored through the grades because we were smart. We had teachers doctoring grades so we didn't get perfect grades because you can't be perfect. Yes. The same teacher I was correcting actually refused to give a 100% on projects, etc, because it isn't possible and in high school you will never get above 90%, so he decided we shouldn't get used to it. A couple of us even compared tests where we got one question wrong. Different questions marked as wrong, but all questions answered the same. Had the wrong colours on your science fair project panel? Minus 5 marks. We were not encouraged or enriched. We were left to teach ourselves because the 12 year old students with the reading level of an eight year old needed extra attention. Though, considering they still managed to be passed repeatedly until it was the high school's problem that they were trying to teach teenagers with the intelligence of children, that extra attention was all but meaningless. Holding children back would hurt their self-esteem. Apparently no one in this touchy-feely, hippie-ish society has taken into consideration that the inability to hold a conversation as an adult may be a little detrimental to one's self-esteem. Maybe that would explain the seemingly large number of unwed, young mothers my age.

Now the issue of self-esteem comes into play in a big way in my issue with popular culture's need to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Yes, this may stem a little from that fact that I personally am not amused by Seinfeld or Survivor, but you have to look at the people who are and what about it is amusing. We are in a world of movies based on stupidity being considered funny and television shows of demeaning competition being all the rage. What sort of person laughs at someone else's stupidity and humiliation? Bullies. What breeds bullies? Low self-esteem. This is what causes people to watch soap operas and talk shows. The need to see people whose lives are worse off than our own. More people watch the auditions for reality shows to see people make asses of themselves than enjoy the rest of the competitions. How much do we hate ourselves that we need to laugh of another's pain and ignorance? We have Survivor running season after season and being the talk of the water cooler and intelligent shows such as Boston Legal being cancelled because the viewership isn't the hip and illiterate under 25 age bracket. What is it about intelligence that it seems to not appear until you're nearing your thirties?

The simple answer is, of course, life experience. Perhaps those of us who are intelligent at a young age have had more life experience. Thinking of the smart kids in high school, I would have to disagree with that. Perhaps it's that we had a life, period. This may be a little more accurate. We didn't sit watching television all free hours of the day. We weren't exposed to pop-culture demeaning women after years of us trying to be respected and equals. We didn't watch popular icons speaking in what could only be called a variation of something that resembles English of the slums. When did it become acceptable to leave out words in a sentence and letters in words when you write? Ever heard of a period? Someone please find me the Rapper-English Dictionary so I can translate what that song just said please. I find it easier to understand Rammstein (German metal/alternative band for those of you who don't know them. You may recognize them from the beginning of the movie XXX. You know how music videos used to be more than almost nude women humping some fat, sweaty man? Watch a Rammstein video and see how the idea of music and video telling a story actually still exists in the world.)

And is a lack of intelligence what makes people spend money on things just because of pretty, flashy advertisement told us to? It certainly has to be a lack of intelligence that makes Koodo believe those obnoxious advertising campaigns were a good idea. What is worse, the under 25s buy into that. It's cool. Everyone else is doing it so I have to as well. The popular girl in school is wearing a mini-skirt and push-up bra so I should too. Sound familiar? We are a society of sheep and dodos. We have television ads trying to sell us things by telling us the item is all the rage in Europe. Uh... so what? Oh wait. We must do what everyone else is doing.

We are blessed to be in a world of ever changing technology. We now have video game controllers that allow you to use your fingers to grab things in the game. You control a virtual hula-hoop by actually moving. We have HD movies. Step away from buying Something About Mary in HD and watch Planet Earth instead. Gorgeous. We have college students sending text messages to rally in front of the White House and assembling so quickly the secret service has no idea what is going on. Intelligent use of this technology. Using videogames to try and help combat the obesity they originally caused. Using text-speak to speak out against war and oppression. So, why is it, that even though we see this and have the ability to use our knowledge of the technology our parents only dreamed of, we decide instead to giggle at a gay joke and text "wat u doin 2mrw" instead of standing up and using our intelligence to speak out and change the world. We sit and are quiet and conforming. We would rather sit and watch Tom Cruise fight against war than stand up and fight against it ourselves. We don't even think of it. We're brainwashed and stupid. And we allowed it. We allowed MTV to tell us how to be. We allowed rap music to teach our twelve year olds to think there is no reason to use proper English. We allowed popular culture to encourage discrimination and intolerance. We turned our brains off to fit in.

The world is set to appeal to the lowest common denominator, so in an attempt to fit in we became that. Intelligence has gone from something desirable to a social liability.

Am I the only one scared for our future?

Rules to Live By.

These will slowly be added too every little while... but I think it's high time this was put in writing. Now up from 25 to 40 thanks to a trip to the movies. 1480 words. Warning: May offend those it was directed to. If you are offended my apologies and I suggest you reevaluate yourself.........

1) You are not the centre of the universe. The rest of us probably don't even notice you when you're not screaming for attention.........

2) Your children are not adorable. They are not angels. The sooner you realize that the sooner you'll discipline them so they aren't tiny monsters. If you don't do it now the law will have to do it for you when they're older.

3) Headphones were invented for a reason. Use them. I have no use for your music and don't enjoy having to deafen myself to block it out.

4) It takes years to teach you the English language. It shouldn't take you a minute to butcher it. "Axed" means "To chop or fell with or as if with an ax" not "To put a question to" the word you mean to use is "Asked".

5) Just because you have the IQ of a gnat does not mean the rest of us do. We are not required to dumb ourselves down because you can't be bothered to try and understand.

6) You cannot judge a book by its cover.

7) I am not required to follow your religious doctrine. Nor are you required to follow mine. I am not less of a person purely because my holiday comes before your celebration.

8) Tolerance and patience are a must, but they can be worn out. Tread lightly and don't abuse those who are patient with you.

9) Do not expect the natives of a country to assimilate to your desires. You need to assimilate to the country you live in. If you do not want to learn the language and social etiquette of your new home, you should have stayed where you were.

10) We do not leave the "village" to raise our children. I do not want to have someone's offspring invading my privacy because the parents believe putting them in the hallway and ignoring them is parenting.

11) You cannot blame Media for how your child turns out. If you do not have the ability to raise a child and leave it up to the television and music that is no one's fault but your's.

12) The world is not here for you alone. Show some courtesy and keep it clean. We don't appreciate tramping through your garbage, stepping on your gum or kicking your discarded beer bottles

13) Driving is not a right. It's a privilege. Learn to do it or get off the road before you kill someone.

14) Just because you're pretty doesn't mean you are entitled to more than the rest of us. The fact that you think that means you are actually entitled to less.

15) We do not all pay attention to pop culture. Celebrities are simply people too. The fact that you need to delve into their lives because your's is so unfortunate is just sad.

16) The fact that you want to smoke should not impact me. I do not want to gag while walking inside a building because you don't want to walk to the designated area because you think it's your right to infringe on my right to clean air.

17) If you can smell your perfume you are wearing too much. The rest of us are being nauseated. Scent should be subtle and light. If you need that much try taking a shower.

18) We were blessed with the invention of antiperspirant and deodorant for a reason. Find some. Use it.

19) The fact that you are fat is no one's fault but your own. The world does not need to change to accommodate you. If you end up partially on my lap on the bus when you sit down, do us both a favour... eat a salad and take a nice long walk. Remember what your toes look like? No? Maybe you should rediscover what it's like to be able to tie your shoes.

20) A person's sexuality does not affect you in any way. Just because they're gay does not mean they want you. And even if they do, you're not...right? Or is that what really bothers you?

21) Lesbians and bisexual women are not there for the amusement of men. Life is not a porn movie.

22) People who work in a position that serves you deserve respect. Smile at your bus driver and say thank you to your waitress.

23) Skin colour is nothing but an excuse to segregate society by choice. What difference does the amount of brown in your make? It doesn't change your intelligence or dreams. Get over it.

24) Stupidity is not an excuse. It can be fixed. Only you can be blamed for your lack of knowledge.

25) Just because someone is pretty does not mean they deserve cat-calls and pet names. They aren't appreciated. How would you feel if you or your daughter or wife were treated like that? Yeah. That's what I thought.....

26) Just because you can ignore your bastard child's screaming does not mean the rest of us can. I decided not to have children for a reason and just because you had a child while you were still one does not mean you shouldn't act like a parent.....

27) Do not doom your child to a life of obesity because you are lazy and fat. You do not like being fat and useless. When you have a child, try feeding them right and encouraging them to get exercise so they do not turn out as disgusting as you are. Burger King is not a suitable meal for anyone, let alone a four year old.....

28) If it is crowded and you cannot take the stairs at anything more than one every minute, and there is an elevator or escalator, use the modes of transportation that are there specifically for people who can't take stairs. Do not inconvenience the rest of us who want to get somewhere within the hour.....

29) The subway station is not a huge garbage can. It is disgusting to walk up to a platform and see it covered in paper, drink containers and discarded McDonalds wrapping. I know you are self absorbed but how would you feel having to walk on someone else's discarded lunch?....

30) If there is already one or two strollers on the bus, don't try to fit your's on it as well. For every stroller on the bus you could fit three people. You've now prevented nine people from being able to get where they want to go. You chose to have a child. Deal with the consequences. ....

31) If you need to stop to ask a question when getting on a bus, going through a booth, etc, and there are twenty people behind you, get on last. Do not force your way to the front of the line and then proceed to prevent anyone else from moving forward.....

32) Get off your damn phone. ....

33) Humans have this really neat thing called peripheral vision. Use it. If you feel the need to stare at something as you walk through a public place how about you also learn to watch out for people walking in your direction. Do not act surprised when you nearly walk into someone. When you are looking anywhere but in front of you it is really hard for the rest of world to tell where you're going.....

34) Cats are house pets. If I see your feline wandering around outside repeatedly with no collar and looking scruffy, I am taking them home and showing them the love you obviously do not. Do you know what happens to cats outside in huge cities?....

35) Just because you are thin does not mean you are fit. If you do no exercise you may be as out of shape as someone who is chunky, you were just blessed with a high metabolism or you just don't eat much.....

36) My chair is not a foot rest. There is plenty of foot room. I do not feel like being rocked back and forth because you are restless.....

37) If the movie is over and everyone is clearing out, do not force your away back into the theatre. Wait until everyone has left if you have to go back in you inconsiderate git.....

38) If you are in a long line waiting to purchase something, have your damn money out before you reach the front of the line. How much thought does that actually take?....

39) Do not stand right in front of doors. If I hit you, it is your fault.

40) Do not push children. I cannot believe I have to even say that, but apparently I do.

41) You are not meant to be a blonde. If no one in your race has blonde hair naturally, you are not meant to be a blonde. It looks bad on you. Indians are not meant to be blondes, especially when it turns out more orange than blonde. Italians are not meant to be blondes. Africans are -not- meant to be blonde. Need I continue the list?

42) Bras are suppose to be worn under your clothing. Perhaps your mother failed to instruct you in the fact that a bra should not cover more of your breasts than your shirt does. If your shirt does not completely cover your breasts, you need a bigger shirt. Stop trying to convince yourself you are a size small.

43) Underwear is called that for a reason. I do not want to see your thong or boxers.