![]() Because the Federal Reserve is deeply concerned about the economic impact of continuing inflation, the Fed has increased interest rates sharply over the past six months, which effectively increases costs for consumers in addition to already increasing prices. Right now, the United States is experiencing higher inflation rates than at any time since the period from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, and polls show that inflation is the greatest concern of most Americans coming into the mid-term elections. ![]() That perspective can also be rather frustrating. Having observed politics for quite a few years can give one a perspective that most voters don’t have. ![]() Or that more and more people in the United States believe simplistic slogans that can’t be supported by facts. Under these circumstances, is it any wonder that the United States, despite its wealth and size, can’t produce enough high-level professionals in STEM fields? Or that the drop-out rate in music and other information intensive programs has increased over the years? That ability is also required for actual thinking. What’s missing? The ability to focus for any period of time and concentrate on material and skills one doesn’t know. On one day students show they understand the matter or skills being discussed or demonstrated, but within a day or two, they recall or retain little, even when they’ve demonstrated the first steps the day before. A number of professors have remarked on the inability of students to retain knowledge and mental process skills. Nor can they concentrate enough to remember anything that the cell phone or social media doesn’t pound into their skulls.Īll retained skills or knowledge require memory at some level, and STEM fields and music, as well as others, simply can’t be mastered without learning and retaining facts and procedures. They’re so used to visual or audio-visual stimulation that they can’t listen well enough to process information aurally. Because of social media’s constant interruption and attraction, they also can’t focus or concentrate that effectively, and more and more of them show ADHD symptoms. The result of this devil’s brew is that the majority can’t read or write that well. And fewer and fewer of them read, either for school or pleasure. Their attention is fixed on their cell phone, and they’d rather be on the cell phone than doing almost anything else – even sex, according to some studies. They’re a Google away from any specific fact. The current generation entering college has grown up with computers, cell phones, Google, and social media. All learning comes from these, either separately or in combination with the others. ![]() In practical terms, there are only three basic ways to learn: reading, listening, and doing. What strikes me most is not only the volume of these pleas and offers, but that the more “commercial” spam appeals must be effective at separating a considerable number of people from their money, because even internet bots take some effort, time, and equipment to spew out such a volume of fraudulent offers.Īll this “free” stuff also plays to the insatiable appetite of American for something they don’t have to pay for, which is exactly why we have inflation at a recent high and far too many people blaming the politicians instead of themselves.Ĭollege professors today are facing an ever-increasing number of students who seem either unable or unwilling to learn. That doesn’t include the 50-100 political solicitations (daily) for campaign contributions, from both political parties and from one independent candidate, each of which declares that the Republic will fall without my donations and that the need is urgent, because the other side has or is marshalling more funds.Įven though my spam filter rejects/collects somewhere over 300 messages a day, it doesn’t catch another 100-150.Īll of this says a great deal about the United States, and most of what it says is anything but favorable. I also can’t believe that they’re “misguided” marketing ploys, since there are only two companies on that list from which that I’ve ever purchased goods or services. If I responded to any of these “winning” notices, I can guarantee that I won’t have won something for nothing, and that, most likely, they’re all scams to get hold of personal information and my money or tie me into a long-term contract of some sort. Over just a twenty-four hour period earlier this week, I received emails declaring that I had “won” an iPhone14 Pro, a Pfizer Treatment, a $5000 Shell gas card, a Ninja food processer, a Zempire tent, a Craftsman generator, a Yeti cooler, a Ryobi lawn mower, a “Hobby Lobby” reward, a Titleist TSi3 Driver, a Traeger Grill Timberline XL, and a $500 Delta Airlines Gift Card.
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