Sorry, I think he's probably irresponsible, but... what an idiotic thing to do. I mean, what will happen if a meteor really gets on a collision course with Earth????
On the other hand, what does it say about the school in question that not one pupil (as far as we know) tried to correct their teacher?
There were 320 14-year-olds. I don't know about anyone else, but by the age of 14, I was certainly keeping track of astronomy to the point where I could have debunked the teacher.
And are we really expected to believe that the entire group concerned contained not one of the teenage know-it-alls who would have jumped at that sort of chance like a shot?
Maybe I went to a fortunate school; I know I'm not 'average' in some ways; and I've always been a geek; but I find it simply staggering that not one child was clued up enough on astronomy to rebut the teacher.
"And are we really expected to believe that the entire group concerned contained not one of the teenage know-it-alls who would have jumped at that sort of chance like a shot?"
I'm struggling with that picture that myself and eventually concluded that probably most were not actually listening. Bundle in a few of the more dramatically inclined and its the perfect opportunity to liven up the school day with the support of their peers. Yep that sounds like Year 9 to me.
I'm sure there were kids who could have debunked it either through geekery or common sense but that doesn't mean they would necessarily want to. I can see #1 being very torn between pontificating on the science and enjoying the chaos, #2 wouldn't bother pontificating generally settling for facial expressions instead, but would doubtless be quite happy to watch the chaos. Especially if it overlapped with History.
BTW - I forgot to ask you yesterday was the official name of your company for the Green Form? *sheepish* can you send it to me/let me know?
If it had been the crowd I didn't like (and I bet there is one in that school), I would have laughed an awful lot and made sure that various people I did like, but who were more susceptible, were well aware of the truth.
Having had a few occasions as both a child and an adult where I was snottily informed that I couldn't possibly know better than $foo (foo being a tour guide or a teacher, either of whom had *no* grasp of their subject), I do like sitting back and watching people panic.
No worries. I agree with hypatia, pretty much, but I do sadly think you're over-estimating the general knowledge (and interest) of the average British 14 year old. I hope I'm wrong.
Suppose the Loon had ended up with pregnant fourteen-year-old girls in the school because kids who'd managed to misunderstand his "assembly" decided that since death was inevitable they weren't about to die virgins? Would he be somehow liable for paternity costs?
"Wrongful life"? If that's the best the law can do wrt the negative impact on these hypothetical kids' lives, I shudder. It holds up the fact that new "life" should be welcomed whilst failing to address the murky circumstances by which the kids were convinced that it would be OK to have unprotected sex. (When the end of the world is nigh, no-one's going to be fumbling around with a condom.) Of course I hope his little "prank" doesn't result in a teenage pregnancy, but if it did I wouldn't be surprised.
Also, it sounds like the teacher saw DEAD POETS SOCIETY but failed to understand its illustration of the fact that "Seize the day" can sometimes be a pernicious message - the immature listener can tack on the envoi "Never mind tomorrow", seeking the immediate at the expense of the long-term. This warped version of the philosophy leads to the death of one of the characters, who can't see beyond "today" and can't cope with a limited and proscribed future. The film understood the dangers of "Carpe diem"; pity the teacher didn't!
Loon, definitely, of the "either he goes, or my children don't go back to that school" variety. Children need to be able to trust their teachers not to purposely mess with their emotions, which are unstable enough at that age.
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branchandroot
lol
Date: 2004-11-19 10:17 am (UTC)(oh dear, I still find this amusing)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 10:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 11:30 am (UTC)On the other hand, what does it say about the school in question that not one pupil (as far as we know) tried to correct their teacher?
There were 320 14-year-olds. I don't know about anyone else, but by the age of 14, I was certainly keeping track of astronomy to the point where I could have debunked the teacher.
And are we really expected to believe that the entire group concerned contained not one of the teenage know-it-alls who would have jumped at that sort of chance like a shot?
Maybe I went to a fortunate school; I know I'm not 'average' in some ways; and I've always been a geek; but I find it simply staggering that not one child was clued up enough on astronomy to rebut the teacher.
Gideon.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 12:17 pm (UTC)I'm struggling with that picture that myself and eventually concluded that probably most were not actually listening. Bundle in a few of the more dramatically inclined and its the perfect opportunity to liven up the school day with the support of their peers. Yep that sounds like Year 9 to me.
I'm sure there were kids who could have debunked it either through geekery or common sense but that doesn't mean they would necessarily want to. I can see #1 being very torn between pontificating on the science and enjoying the chaos, #2 wouldn't bother pontificating generally settling for facial expressions instead, but would doubtless be quite happy to watch the chaos. Especially if it overlapped with History.
BTW - I forgot to ask you yesterday was the official name of your company for the Green Form? *sheepish* can you send it to me/let me know?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 01:20 pm (UTC)If it had been the crowd I didn't like (and I bet there is one in that school), I would have laughed an awful lot and made sure that various people I did like, but who were more susceptible, were well aware of the truth.
Having had a few occasions as both a child and an adult where I was snottily informed that I couldn't possibly know better than $foo (foo being a tour guide or a teacher, either of whom had *no* grasp of their subject), I do like sitting back and watching people panic.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 02:36 pm (UTC)(Sorry Marcus!)
Server City UK Ltd.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 04:51 pm (UTC)I agree with hypatia, pretty much, but I do sadly think you're over-estimating the general knowledge (and interest) of the average British 14 year old. I hope I'm wrong.
An Enquiry
Date: 2004-11-22 10:33 am (UTC)Re: An Enquiry
Date: 2004-11-22 11:43 am (UTC)Oh, except it would amount to a claim for damages for "wrongful life" which is contrary to public policy. I guess.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-22 04:05 pm (UTC)Also, it sounds like the teacher saw DEAD POETS SOCIETY but failed to understand its illustration of the fact that "Seize the day" can sometimes be a pernicious message - the immature listener can tack on the envoi "Never mind tomorrow", seeking the immediate at the expense of the long-term. This warped version of the philosophy leads to the death of one of the characters, who can't see beyond "today" and can't cope with a limited and proscribed future. The film understood the dangers of "Carpe diem"; pity the teacher didn't!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-20 02:23 am (UTC)