NationStates Jolt Archive

It is an idea that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of American society, permeating our every thought and action. It is insidious and illogical, and spread by our government and media through teachers, schools, television, and literature. It is one of our greatest national weaknesses, and is, quite simply, a lie.

What is it?

The cult of self esteem.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick of it. Originally it started as a well intentioned method of stopping kids from denying their own strengths, but together with the entitlement culture spawned by the likes of LBJ, it has morphed into a beast beyond our control.

First, no matter how poorly children do, they are still praised and encouraged. Look, if the kid can't draw for beans, please don't tell him he's going to be an artists.

Second, now that children have become so used to being praised at every corner, they cannot accept criticism! It's gotten so bad that we have to use lavender ink not to "offend" them!

Third, a high amount of children take an indifferent stance towards school because of the cult of self esteem. Why? If you are told that you are incredible, wonderful, and invincible, then why even try? Success is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

Fourth, it is an attack on honesty. My fellow NSers, I am personally sick and tired of people trying to "encourage" me by lying about my faults. I am honest about myself, and thus I can succeed. I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume. However, because I know and understand this, I can do something about it by compensating with hard work.

(I'll get an article to prop me up in a second)

Wow. I fully agree.

*claps*

Kudos to the topic creator.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_esteem

Article to support.

I completely agree. Honesty is the way to go.

It is an idea that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of American society, permeating our every thought and action. It is insidious and illogical, and spread by our government and media through teachers, schools, television, and literature. It is one of our greatest national weaknesses, and is, quite simply, a lie.

What is it?Conservatism?


The cult of self esteem.Damn, my guess was wrong.


Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick of it. Originally it started as a well intentioned method of stopping kids from denying their own strengths, but together with the entitlement culture spawned by the likes of LBJ, it has morphed into a beast beyond our control.

First, no matter how poorly children do, they are still praised and encouraged. Look, if the kid can't draw for beans, please don't tell him he's going to be an artists.I disagree, people should be encouraged to do what they enjoy, provided that it doesn't hurt anyone. If it turns out that he can't draw for crap, once he goes out to find a job and can't get one as an artist, he will be forced to get one in a different field. Unless, of course, the parents spoil him, in which case that is a different problem than self esteem.


Second, now that children have become so used to being praised at every corner, they cannot accept criticism! I agree that there are people that can't accept constructive criticism, and that that's a problem, however certain types of criticism shouldn't be accepted. But I do agree that some should be.

It's gotten so bad that we have to use lavender ink not to "offend" them! I've heard this repeated often, and have yet to see any proof of this. Or even something so simple as the name of a school that does this. It's not something that happens in all schools.


Third, a high amount of children take an indifferent stance towards school because of the cult of self esteem. I disagree, but to elaborate would derail the subject too much.
Why? If you are told that you are incredible, wonderful, and invincible, then why even try? Success is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.If you don't try, you will not meet success, regardless of how incredible, wonderful, invincible, etc. you are.


Fourth, it is an attack on honesty. My fellow NSers, I am personally sick and tired of people trying to "encourage" me by lying about my faults. I am honest about myself, and thus I can succeed. There is a difference between being honest and being cruel. I agree that you shouldn't lie to people, but there are ways of telling the truth that aren't offensive.

I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume. However, because I know and understand this, I can do something about it by compensating with hard work.It's good to see that you have enough self esteem to believe that you can change your situation, and also that you have enough self esteem to not kill yourself or other people.

Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume.

:eek: That's sad, really, that you think that of yourself. :(

I agree that there are people that can't accept constructive criticism, and that that's a problem, however certain types of criticism shouldn't be accepted. But I do agree that some should be.

There is a difference between being honest and being cruel. I agree that you shouldn't lie to people, but there are ways of telling the truth that aren't offensive.

1. If people cant' accept constructive criticism, it's their fault.

2. On the other hand, I believe we should be as offensive and cruel as possible. If they can't take it, it's their problem. If they jump off a bridge for it, it's their problem.

1. If people cant' accept constructive criticism, it's their fault.

2. On the other hand, I believe we should be as offensive and cruel as possible. If they can't take it, it's their problem. If they jump off a bridge for it, it's their problem.

*blink*

Uh.. wow.

:eek: That's sad, really, that you think that of yourself. :(

He could be telling the truth.

I'm not too far off from that, and yet I am still confident enough to continue on. I'm just not fat nor ugly, but quite <insert list of adjectives mentioned above>.

you've been reading Sommers haven't you?

Props to you, and I agree with everything you said. I see this stupidity first hand, not so much in the teachers (since the LAUSD is immune to everything since it's so red-taped), but I know the kids... and I hate these little brats, and the worst thing is that I go to school with the first-generation prototype... High School Class of '06!!! Woot woot!

All part and parcel of the culture of self-entitlement we sem to be cultivating here in Norht America. I don't know how it is in Europe, but the situaltion is pretty sad.

A few years of angsty self-loathing is more or less normal for teenagers...there's no point trying to shield kids from their limitations. I know people that are in a state of denial about their capabilities well into their twenties; its not helpful in the long run, when they get kicked out of mom's basement into the real world.

I like encouragement too.

I agree completely with pretty much everything the last two people have said. Kids need to learn to face the real world

I agree. You've got to be honest with kids. However, there's nothing wrong with encouraging people to make what they want of their lives. If a kid can't draw for shit, then eventually they'll work it out for themselves. There's a reason I gave up playing football when I was 8: I realised I sucked.

It's human nature to be optomistic.... If it wasn't people would eat their offspring..



[and I'm not saying that's a bad idea...]

A Twisted Sister pin… on your uniform?! What kind of man are you? You are worthless and weak… you do nothing, you are nothing! I carried a M16 and you carry that… that… guitar!!! Who are you? Where do you come from? What do you wanna do with your life?!


I wanna rock!

I agree. You've got to be honest with kids. However, there's nothing wrong with encouraging people to make what they want of their lives. If a kid can't draw for shit, then eventually they'll work it out for themselves. There's a reason I gave up playing football when I was 8: I realised I sucked.

Meh, at 9 years old, I realised the world was a giant shit hole and this "sunshine and lolly pops' was nothing more than bullshit.

Believe me, with a cynical look on life, lack of trust in others coupled with a realisation that the world is crap, I've avoided the pain that many teenagers go through, now I am in my 20s, I thank the lord that I didn't waste half my time trying to get dick at school, and instead concerntrated on my studies.

"Self esteem is one of the most dangerous things taught in our schools today. More Americans are killed by baseless self-confidence than drown in bathtubs every year."

Quote: "Vic Romano" of MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (top 10 fave Japanese/US imports/adaptations -- hooray, multiculturalism!)

It is an idea that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of American society, permeating our every thought and action. It is insidious and illogical, and spread by our government and media through teachers, schools, television, and literature. It is one of our greatest national weaknesses, and is, quite simply, a lie.

What is it?

The cult of self esteem.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick of it. Originally it started as a well intentioned method of stopping kids from denying their own strengths, but together with the entitlement culture spawned by the likes of LBJ, it has morphed into a beast beyond our control.

First, no matter how poorly children do, they are still praised and encouraged. Look, if the kid can't draw for beans, please don't tell him he's going to be an artists.

Second, now that children have become so used to being praised at every corner, they cannot accept criticism! It's gotten so bad that we have to use lavender ink not to "offend" them!

Third, a high amount of children take an indifferent stance towards school because of the cult of self esteem. Why? If you are told that you are incredible, wonderful, and invincible, then why even try? Success is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

Fourth, it is an attack on honesty. My fellow NSers, I am personally sick and tired of people trying to "encourage" me by lying about my faults. I am honest about myself, and thus I can succeed. I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume. However, because I know and understand this, I can do something about it by compensating with hard work.

(I'll get an article to prop me up in a second)

My Dad used to say,

"You know what is better than building self-esteem? Building actual skills so you will be genuinely good at something. You know what's better than having good self-image? Not being a fat slob who can't dress."

There must be a balance though. Too much self esteem can be a denial of reality, but then again I see many(not all, but some) people who are reactionary about this kind of thing taking it too far in the other direction.

People of all ages NEED self-esteem. Without it, why even get out of bed, if you assume you're going to be a failure. But too much self esteem will give people false hopes and mess with their perception of reality, which is equally as bad.

Finding the middle road between promoting self-esteem and maintaining reality is the goal, not just the elimination of the Cult of Self-Esteem.

aye

You're completely right, of course. It's part of the culture of bullshit, too, in which there is no requirement to care whether what you're saying is true or not. You've got some untalented, unskilled person failing to accomplish a task and you just keep telling them they're great and passing them along -- isn't that just telling lies? And if you lie and pass them along instead of teaching them, then it's an insult, too. (And you know, I think a lot of the kids know they're being lied to and insulted.)

But I guess all that's easier than telling the truth and helping kids find and realize their real potential. That would require work.

But I guess all that's easier than telling the truth and helping kids find and realize their real potential. That would require work.
And funding. It's cheaper to just tell kids that they're wonderful exactly the way they are, instead of spending money to give them things like "education" or "skills." Those things don't really matter, kids, you're super duper awesome without them!

In the end those children grow into self-centred adults who think whatever they do is right - thus postmodern America, and increasingly the postmodern world.

My Dad used to say,

"You know what is better than building self-esteem? Building actual skills so you will be genuinely good at something. You know what's better than having good self-image? Not being a fat slob who can't dress."

Exactly! Instead of wasting time constantly telling kids how good they are, let's teach them how to deal with criticism appropriately so that they can become the good people we know they can be. A little compliment on a job well done is great, but don't tell a kid he did okay on his assignment when you know it sucked. It gives them a false sense of competence and impairs their ability to perceive themselves accurately (which is plenty hard enough for most people already), so we don't need to be encouraging it. Let's teach skills, not pleasant lies.

I find it irritating when people lie by saying that I did good. They know I suck at just about everything. I know that. I'm about as correct as any error is going to be. I have a smell that makes speed stick slow down and right guard turn left, I have looks that would frighten blind children, and a voice as soothing as a car alarm being scraped against a chalk board. Plus, I have the intelligence of a turd and am slower than a dead turtle. Guess how many times I killed myself? Hint: I am still breathing. I still manage to get the occassional A in school. I still manage to run a mile in under 10 minutes. I'm not going to hang myself if someone tells me that I suck. I'm not going to jump in front of a moving vehicle if someone tells me I'm ugly enough to give blind people nightmares. Plus, if I know I'm ugly, stupid, slow, weak, etc., then why would I care if someone criticizes me? My world isn't going to come crashing down. I already know that those who look at me are secretly mocking me. Why would I need someone encouraging me? It would only be insulting my ability to encourage myself.

I already know that those who look at me are secretly mocking me. Why would I need someone encouraging me? It would only be insulting my ability to encourage myself.
A friend of mine, who is very sweet and optimistic, finally got sick of being jerked around like this and said to me that bitter, angry cynics are the only people worth talking to because they're the only honest ones. When they say they like you or that you did a good job, they mean it. Otherwise, they'd just tell you to piss off.

Why would I need someone encouraging me? It would only be insulting my ability to encourage myself.
Or you could take the opposite/complimentary attitude: Who are they to presume to encourage you? When was the last time they did anything right? If there's anyone in the world nobody needs encouragement from, it's these esteem-obsessed idiots.

That's the way I look at it. ;)

Exactly. Screw feelings. Crying is said to improve your health. It allows you to vent some pressure out, not that I'm supposed to cry. Damn being a young man is a society that demands men to basicly be emotionless, except for occassionally smiling or punching someone. Shouldn't complain. Shouldn't complain. Damn those fruity "self-esteem" nutjobs. I don't care if you like my drawing of barf that was supposed to be a scene. I don't want to hear it. If anyone's going to make me depressed, it's those damn self-esteem advocates. They want me to fail. It'll make them feel better about themselves.

If I were a parent, I'd teach my kids that, if their teacher spends more than 1 second praising them for pouring their juice without spilling it, they should throw it at her.

:)

Anyone else find praise just insulting? It's basicly calling you retarded.

I think some degree of self esteem is good. Not to the point of denial (Like obese chicks in bikini's unless you dig that shit).

Total avoidance of self esteem and you'll think the whole world would be against you, your a nobody and will continue to be nobody doing nothing and would be nothing in life. Probably to the state of depression and suicide.

But I agree with most that is to get yourself some skills, not just some belief that the world is your oyster and everything will be alright. I say read more! :)

Anyone else find praise just insulting? It's basicly calling you retarded.

It depends on whether it's deserved or not. If you've worked hard on something and done a good job, then praise is fine. If somebody congratulates you on getting an F in an exam in which you should have got an A, it's patronising.

1. If people cant' accept constructive criticism, it's their fault.If they've never been taught to, it isn't. I agree with the other posters that say that we need to teach children to accept criticism. But it needs to be constructive criticism.


2. On the other hand, I believe we should be as offensive and cruel as possible. If they can't take it, it's their problem. If they jump off a bridge for it, it's their problem.If they attempt to kill you, and maim you for life, it's your problem.

I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume.

I suppose humility can be a strength...

I suppose humility can be a strength...

He could use some self esteem :)

I'd say, Go do something or find something your good at. Stop lazying at the pc! :) I think hard work does pay off some bit. But ultimately, it's what really you want to do with your life that matters.

I've known high flyers, that quit their super paying jobs, got themselves a gym, and spends the rest of their life working out,teaching BJJ and live with little stress as possible.

2. On the other hand, I believe we should be as offensive and cruel as possible. If they can't take it, it's their problem. If they jump off a bridge for it, it's their problem.

Why the hell do you believe that people should be as cruel and offensive to each other as possible?

Why the hell do you believe that people should be as cruel and offensive to each other as possible?

Yer it does seem rather sadistic. Maybe we should spike him in the ribs...

Yer it does seem rather sadistic. Maybe we should spike him in the ribs...

Why not, it would be his problem after all.

1. If people cant' accept constructive criticism, it's their fault.

I'd argue that it's more the fault of the people who've trained them to expect and thus accept only praise - which seemed to be what you were saying yourself, before.

2. On the other hand, I believe we should be as offensive and cruel as possible. If they can't take it, it's their problem. If they jump off a bridge for it, it's their problem.

See, this is where I think you cross from making a good point into being needlessly bitter and leading to a whole different set of problems.

I'm a bit of an authority on this, having been a victim of pretty severe emotional abuse and having attempted suicide before. Yes, if I hadn't woken up last time I fell asleep in my gas oven, it'd be "my problem" (and gee, let me tell you how much I appreciate your sensitivity towards those of us who are depressive and/or suicidal! :rolleyes: ) - but is causing all the people who don't have the emotional resources to deal with cruelty to kill themselves really a solution to anything at all? I'd hope any sane person would said no.

Constructive criticism is useful. Cruelty is not. Constructive praise is also useful. False praise solely for the purpose of building self-esteem is not. Pretty simple, really.

Also falls into that non-competitive sports BS. The losers self esteem is hurt so we can't have that. Every time that I've lost in any competition, if I had any skill in it to begin with, I worked harder to so that I could win next time.

I think you should praise kids when they do well, and correct them when they don't. If your kid is not a great artist, but enjoys art, put them in an art class. When he comes home with a 'masterpiece' talk about what works and what doesn't. If your kid is not athletically inclined but wants to try out for the team, play ball with her outside after dinner every night. She will probably get better, and you will have a chance to get closer to her, and if she DOESN'T make the team, you can say "well, perhaps this is not your game... let's see what else you might be interested in."

Don't lie, but also don't cut down a kid who wants to try something; give that kid a chance to grow into it.

Look at it this way, even a screw up like Bush can get to be president, so even if your kid shows no talent at all, they may, if encouraged to try to get better.

And that is the difference, I think. If a kid really wants to do something, they should learn that while it is not always going to work, they will have much more success if they work hard to become better at it. Self esteem is not so much of a problem as the idea of entitlement without effort.

Hey, I completely agree with this topic and the creator. My little brother (11) also an NSer might i add.... :) is one of those children propped up by whatever everybody says thats true which isnt. He gets told hes an athlete, when he can't run for 30 secs without being winded, and my mother tells him so many untrue things that he shouldnt be told. People do need to know their limitations. Lance Armstrong was able to win 7 Tour De Lances (yes i said it on purpose) because he had it in him to win. Not just anybody can do it because they think they can. I won't ever be as great a trumpet player as Louis Armstrong or Maynard Ferguson, but I will be a great Navy member, and I will be the only me, and that's what kids should be told, is that no matter what you do, somebody will be better, but you still have to be proud of who you are, and if you're not, then get ur ass up off the couch, put the XboX controller down, and get some changing down.

it's horrible, but 'tstrue.

what they've a need to do is to train them to do things well when they're young, and have it required.

A very valid point, though wouldn't you agree that encouragement is good in moderation?
Evidently not for something the poor child is totally useless at, but partiocularly if they're lacking confidence they probably NEED it.

Let me add that while I was in middle school, I was too the subject of lots of both physical and verbal abuse, from not only students but teachers as well, and I do know how hard it is on a child to be told they wont amount to anything. However, it also makes that child tougher when they know themselves what the can and cannot do.

Cricket, I totally understand that. 2 yrs ago i almost quit playing the trumept because of a lack of confidence, however, my Band Director and my father both pushed me and worked with me to raise that up. It all depends on the environment. I will not tell my little brother he's going to be an astronaut if the kid has asthma however.

Look at it this way, even a screw up like Bush can get to be president, so even if your kid shows no talent at all, they may, if encouraged to try to get better.
"When I was growing up, my parents told me that in America, anyone can become president. I am afraid they may have been right." -- Mark Twain? Ambrose Bierce?

It is an idea that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of American society, permeating our every thought and action. It is insidious and illogical, and spread by our government and media through teachers, schools, television, and literature. It is one of our greatest national weaknesses, and is, quite simply, a lie.

What is it?

The cult of self esteem.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick of it. Originally it started as a well intentioned method of stopping kids from denying their own strengths, but together with the entitlement culture spawned by the likes of LBJ, it has morphed into a beast beyond our control.

First, no matter how poorly children do, they are still praised and encouraged. Look, if the kid can't draw for beans, please don't tell him he's going to be an artists.

Second, now that children have become so used to being praised at every corner, they cannot accept criticism! It's gotten so bad that we have to use lavender ink not to "offend" them!

Third, a high amount of children take an indifferent stance towards school because of the cult of self esteem. Why? If you are told that you are incredible, wonderful, and invincible, then why even try? Success is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

Fourth, it is an attack on honesty. My fellow NSers, I am personally sick and tired of people trying to "encourage" me by lying about my faults. I am honest about myself, and thus I can succeed. I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume. However, because I know and understand this, I can do something about it by compensating with hard work.

(I'll get an article to prop me up in a second)


Right on! I am sick of kids "feeling good" with empty heads. I think the idea was good intentioned but has been pushed to the extreme and ruined.

I agree with lots of you -- you have to be able to accept criticism as well as praise, and you have to learn how to shrug off unfair criticism too. This cult of self-esteem assumes that nobody has a sense of self independent of what others think, so kids have to be isolated from anything harsh for fear they'll never recover. That's not healthy. Whatever happened to "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me"?

Ah, but some of you misunderstand. I personally, have no self esteem. Why? Because I've honestly evaluated myself and realized that my worth to the world is miniscule, at best. I am a fool, ugly, stupid, etc. I won't wallow in it, because it's my problem, not yours.

But that doesn't mean I give up! Because of an honest self evaluation, I can realize where I need to improve. Natural talent is important, yes, but hard work is far more critical. That is why this cult is so dangerous---if you convince kids that they can do anything they want, then they don't try to improve. After all, if you're perfect, why try to improve yourself?

Take me for example. A complete dithering fool am I. Yet I have a 4.4 GPA at a highly competetive school, and I run a mile every day! How do I do this? Not because I believe some BS self esteem rhetoric, but because I know where my weaknesses are and I work hard to compensate for them.

Ah, but some of you misunderstand. I personally, have no self esteem. Why? Because I've honestly evaluated myself and realized that my worth to the world is miniscule, at best. I am a fool, ugly, stupid, etc. I won't wallow in it, because it's my problem, not yours.

But that doesn't mean I give up! Because of an honest self evaluation, I can realize where I need to improve. Natural talent is important, yes, but hard work is far more critical. That is why this cult is so dangerous---if you convince kids that they can do anything they want, then they don't try to improve. After all, if you're perfect, why try to improve yourself?

Take me for example. A complete dithering fool am I. Yet I have a 4.4 GPA at a highly competetive school, and I run a mile every day! How do I do this? Not because I believe some BS self esteem rhetoric, but because I know where my weaknesses are and I work hard to compensate for them.
I think that you go too far when it comes to describing yourself in a negative manner. You should recognize both strengths and weaknesses and always remember that in order to get what you want from life you have to win it. Undoubtedly you are not a dithering fool, but it is unlikely that you are the reincarnation of a great mind either. I would even go so far as to say that your overly negative view of yourself is a weakness in itself.

Most certainly we need to teach children that they are not glorious gods or anything of that nature. Success is created by the will to succeed which I believe is actually your strength, we need to stop coddling children and instead teach them the proper value of success so that they will develope that will and shun the weaknesses that create failure. I am also very successful and my key is both my mental acuity and my drive to succeed, both of which are strengths that are probably cultivated by my own ego.

This is how the birth of political correctness came about. That, or political correctness led to this monstrosity. Which came first, the chicken or the egg. Either way, I hate them both equally.

I think that you go too far when it comes to describing yourself in a negative manner. You should recognize both strengths and weaknesses and always remember that in order to get what you want from life you have to win it. Undoubtedly you are not a dithering fool, but it is unlikely that you are the reincarnation of a great mind either. I would even go so far as to say that your overly negative view of yourself is a weakness in itself.

Most certainly we need to teach children that they are not glorious gods or anything of that nature. Success is created by the will to succeed which I believe is actually your strength, we need to stop coddling children and instead teach them the proper value of success so that they will develope that will and shun the weaknesses that create failure. I am also very successful and my key is both my mental acuity and my drive to succeed, both of which are strengths that are probably cultivated by my own ego.
No, my self description is quite accurate. Trust me. My IQ's about 50, by my estimate. I recognize my strengths and weaknesses; I just don't happen to have any strengths. That's all.

Critisism and support are both needed.

But you can't stand too much of it. If everyone is choking you with their support saying your fabulous ect. you just get embarrassed so much that you want to stop what it was you were doing right NOW! Or you loose all respect for doing things so properly when nomatter what you do it is good.

Constructive critisism. I like i can handle. If something is good great tell me what i can do to make it better. Nothing is perfect unless it's finished.

Who wants to be finished any time soon?

No, my self description is quite accurate. Trust me. My IQ's about 50, by my estimate. I recognize my strengths and weaknesses; I just don't happen to have any strengths. That's all.
Your IQ can not be 50 and still allow you to have a 4.4 GPA. IQ of 50 means that you are mentally retarded, and you do better and write better than a retarded person. You are just simply another idiotic self-hating high-school student. Probably a relatively smart, self-hating high-school student but still your self-view HAS to be warped because 50 is an IQ that would force you to be held back 3 grades, put in "special" courses or some other ridiculous thing. So stop hating yourself, say every once and a while "I am so freaking awesome" or even overcompensate and become one of those driven narcissists that conquers the business world or something.

Alright, so I was a little-tongue-in-cheek. With an IQ of 50, I wouldn't be able to physically function. (The barrier for retardness is, after all, 80) Still, my GPA is not a result of intelligence. (Seeing as how I don't have any!) It's just that I work like a dog.

Alright, so I was a little-tongue-in-cheek. With an IQ of 50, I wouldn't be able to physically function. (The barrier for retardness is, after all, 80) Still, my GPA is not a result of intelligence. (Seeing as how I don't have any!) It's just that I work like a dog.
If you work like a dog then what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be studying algebra because the problems are so difficult or reading some literature because the knowledge won't stay in your head. You are undoubtedly more intelligent and more skilled than you are claiming to be. I don't think that the average person really knows that the barrier for retardedness is 80 or what tongue-in-cheek means. Just what I see here seems to indicate some level of natural ability, you are more intelligent than you claim so just accept it.

Well, I've completed my assignments, and much of the material seems comprehensible so far. Do not be fooled by my words and phrases; they are merely a smokescreen for my idiocy.

Anyway, can we get off the topic of my personal issues? The nationwide cult is far more important.

Well, I've completed my assignments, and much of the material seems comprehensible so far. Do not be fooled by my words and phrases; they are merely a smokescreen for my idiocy.

Anyway, can we get off the topic of my personal issues? The nationwide cult is far more important.
Well ok, but I still have some doubt as to the accuracy of your assessment because most people do not actually know themselves worth a darn.

I will admit that people should be justly rewarded for the good things they do and justly blamed for the bad. This includes the red ink, the complaints about how they can do better and so on and so forth. On the other hand people should also be rewarded well for what they do correctly. In order to properly get people to act as they should within our society we need to offer them great reward including self-esteem boosters for their successes and attacks against that self-esteem for failure.

I don't care what you say, I'm not going through life saying "I'm worthless! Oh God! I'm so pathetic! I have to work harder! Harder and harder till my little eyes go poppity pop from strain."

I like me. He kicks ass.

I don't care what you say, I'm not going through life saying "I'm worthless! Oh God! I'm so pathetic! I have to work harder! Harder and harder till my little eyes go poppity pop from strain."

I like me. He kicks ass.
Well, I would not advise the self-hate of Armandian Cheese but then again I like to look in the mirror and make comment about how fine I look. Hard work is the key, self-hatred can be a way to become a hard-worker but hard work will help you reach your potential as a human being.

It is an idea that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of American society, permeating our every thought and action. It is insidious and illogical, and spread by our government and media through teachers, schools, television, and literature. It is one of our greatest national weaknesses, and is, quite simply, a lie.

What is it?

The cult of self esteem.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick of it. Originally it started as a well intentioned method of stopping kids from denying their own strengths, but together with the entitlement culture spawned by the likes of LBJ, it has morphed into a beast beyond our control.

First, no matter how poorly children do, they are still praised and encouraged. Look, if the kid can't draw for beans, please don't tell him he's going to be an artists.

Second, now that children have become so used to being praised at every corner, they cannot accept criticism! It's gotten so bad that we have to use lavender ink not to "offend" them!

Third, a high amount of children take an indifferent stance towards school because of the cult of self esteem. Why? If you are told that you are incredible, wonderful, and invincible, then why even try? Success is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

Fourth, it is an attack on honesty. My fellow NSers, I am personally sick and tired of people trying to "encourage" me by lying about my faults. I am honest about myself, and thus I can succeed. I have no strengths. Indeed, I am an ugly, idiotic, foolish, obnoxious, fat slob of a man. In all honesty, I am a waste of the resources I consume. However, because I know and understand this, I can do something about it by compensating with hard work.

(I'll get an article to prop me up in a second)

I agree with you for the most part. However, self esteem isn't all bad. It should be replaced, however, with self confidence. Self esteem makes winners out of loosers, while self confidence fosters the attitude that failure is oppritunity in disguise. Self esteem creates softness, whereas self confidence creates integrety and an ability to meet the world eye to eye. Self esteem, finally, makes one soft. Self confidence, on the other hand, gives you the courage to change what you can, the acceptance of things you can't, and the wisdom to know the difference.

I don't care what you say, I'm not going through life saying "I'm worthless! Oh God! I'm so pathetic! I have to work harder! Harder and harder till my little eyes go poppity pop from strain."

I like me. He kicks ass.

If that's an honest evaluation of yourself, then knock yourself out. I fully hate myself, but that's because I'm honest. If you're honest about kicking ass, then go for it.

If they attempt to kill you, and maim you for life, it's your problem.

I'm packing heat. It'll be their problem REALLY soon.

We NEED to be as cruel, offensive, and sadistic as possible, because people just deserve it.

Someone may "act" nice, but in the end, we know they're plotting against me.

That's why I am as cynical, offensive, and bitter as I can possibly be. I be all I can be.

I know all my weaknesses. I'm weak, slow, ugly, stupid, lazy, and I smell, even after showering with soap and shampoo and everything. It feels like everyone's slowing down to rub it in. I'm told that I'm supposedly fast, handsome, and smart. All of those are horrible lies. I know that the person testing my iq bumped it up alot. I know people won't accept me for my looks or my extremely limiting "talents". The world only looks at what you do. I'd have to work far past the standard 40-hour week just to get noticed at all. Maybe 80 hours will help. I lived in the desert all my life, yet I can barely handle 116F. I also dispice the annual winter cold. All I know is I have to suck it up and put in the effort. I know working for 40 hours a week won't be able to cut it. I know the world doesn't give a damn how talented or athletic you are. All professional athletes are grossly overpaid. Most make more than Bush and he's the freak'n president. The world is very demanding of us human resources and this "self-esteem" bull won't make our bosses any less willing to fire us. Heck, political correctness is making us support the poor instead of getting them off their asses and into jobs. It led to the whole "blacks are poor and whites are rich" bs, overlooking the fact that 75% of those below the poverty line are white.

I know all my weaknesses. I'm weak, slow, ugly, stupid, lazy, and I smell, even after showering with soap and shampoo and everything. It feels like everyone's slowing down to rub it in. I'm told that I'm supposedly fast, handsome, and smart. All of those are horrible lies. I know that the person testing my iq bumped it up alot. I know people won't accept me for my looks or my extremely limiting "talents". The world only looks at what you do. I'd have to work far past the standard 40-hour week just to get noticed at all. Maybe 80 hours will help. I lived in the desert all my life, yet I can barely handle 116F. I also dispice the annual winter cold. All I know is I have to suck it up and put in the effort. I know working for 40 hours a week won't be able to cut it. I know the world doesn't give a damn how talented or athletic you are. All professional athletes are grossly overpaid. Most make more than Bush and he's the freak'n president. The world is very demanding of us human resources and this "self-esteem" bull won't make our bosses any less willing to fire us. Heck, political correctness is making us support the poor instead of getting them off their asses and into jobs. It led to the whole "blacks are poor and whites are rich" bs, overlooking the fact that 75% of those below the poverty line are white.

True. Except for me, half the people end up lying to me, and the other half ends up reminding me of that stuff EVERY hour.

Fucking, It's my duty to be as cruel, offensive, sadistic, cynical, bitter, and as much as an Misanthrope I can be. Everyone should start doing it. Teach those bastards a lesson.

My life is summed up in one song title by TISM-----

Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me

I know most people my age had more sex than me because I have not lost my virginity yet. I don't know why sex has suddenly become a bragging right. it used to be something teens were scorned for doing. Now, people scorn you for not having sex. It's not my fault I have high standards, like I must be sure they don't have aids. It's all this self-esteem crap making them proud of teen pregnency. tp is only acceptable when it's because of rape. otherwise, I don't feel sorry for the slut. No self-esteem for ms. h. Guess what the h is for. ;)

Fucking, It's my duty to be as cruel, offensive, sadistic, cynical, bitter, and as much as an Misanthrope I can be. Everyone should start doing it. Teach those bastards a lesson."Those who have suffered understand suffering and thereby extend their hand." - Patti Smith

I know most people my age had more sex than me because I have not lost my virginity yet. I don't know why sex has suddenly become a bragging right. it used to be something teens were scorned for doing. Now, people scorn you for not having sex. It's not my fault I have high standards, like I must be sure they don't have aids. It's all this self-esteem crap making them proud of teen pregnency. tp is only acceptable when it's because of rape. otherwise, I don't feel sorry for the slut. No self-esteem for ms. h. Guess what the h is for. ;)

Yeah, and half the time, I find it hard to feel sorry for some the rape victims.

I mean, there are just some cases, where the rapist uses a trick that only a total idiot wouldn't see past.

I know all my weaknesses. I'm weak, slow, ugly, stupid, lazy, and I smell, even after showering with soap and shampoo and everything. It feels like everyone's slowing down to rub it in. I'm told that I'm supposedly fast, handsome, and smart. All of those are horrible lies. I know that the person testing my iq bumped it up alot. I know people won't accept me for my looks or my extremely limiting "talents". The world only looks at what you do. I'd have to work far past the standard 40-hour week just to get noticed at all. Maybe 80 hours will help. I lived in the desert all my life, yet I can barely handle 116F. I also dispice the annual winter cold. All I know is I have to suck it up and put in the effort. I know working for 40 hours a week won't be able to cut it. I know the world doesn't give a damn how talented or athletic you are. All professional athletes are grossly overpaid. Most make more than Bush and he's the freak'n president. The world is very demanding of us human resources and this "self-esteem" bull won't make our bosses any less willing to fire us. Heck, political correctness is making us support the poor instead of getting them off their asses and into jobs. It led to the whole "blacks are poor and whites are rich" bs, overlooking the fact that 75% of those below the poverty line are white.
wow... it's like looking in a mirror...

Anyone else find praise just insulting? It's basicly calling you retarded.
that really hits the nail on the head. kids KNOW when you are lying to them. they KNOW when what they have done is crap. praising their crap doesnt improve their self esteem, it just makes them lose respect for you (good case scenario) or themselves (in the assumption that if you praise crap it must be because they are incapable of doing something right)

you cant GIVE someone self esteem, you can only give them the opportunity to succeed which, when they DO succeed, builds their self esteem. if they never have the chance to fail, they never have the chance to succeed and you only build the illusion of "self esteem"

what we need to encourage these days is SELF RESPECT, not self esteem. instead of telling kids that everything they do is wonderful, we need to kick some asses and tell them that there are behaviors that are beneath them. a kid with self respect doesnt cheat in school, doesnt get drunk every weekend, doesnt do whatever it takes to be popular with the opposite sex. a kid with self respect makes the most out of whatever brains and talent s/he was born with. these are the kinds of adults we want, not the delicate "ohno youll hurt my self esteem" flowers.