From CNN.com:
Language police bar ‘old,’ ‘blind’
:eek:
What the fuck does she mean, “grasp the concept of a large body of water”?
:::checks calendar::: No, it’s not April 1st. Okay. Now, isn’t that the purpose of reading? To find out about stuff outside of your scope?
This is double-plus un-good.
I saw her on the Dailey Show. Jon had pretty much the same reaction.
Does anyone have a de-smallifier for my :rolleyes:?
That bitch is fucking crazy. Can I say “is?”
You’re forgetting that she’s not advocationg that. Her book’s full title is:
She’s describing the situation. Here’s part of what Booklist (as quoted on the Amazon.com page for the book) had to say:
In other words, Rilchiam: SHE’S ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ISSUE!
You folks do realize that Ms. Ravitch is not defending the practice, right?
Her point (a point made in several threads posted in GD and the Pit) is that the textbook publishers are so afraid of offending anyone, that they have turned all their output into homogeneous, inoffensive (and mindless) pap.
Ms. Ravitch does not support their actions; she wrote her book to condemn them. As she notes in the linked article:
In an interview I heard with her about two weeks ago, she pointed out that the Left Wing in California and the Right Wing in Texas have established such a stranglehold on what they will “allow” into their respective states, that the seven or eight remaining textbook publishers all choose to print mush rather than alienate either side. Since those two states are two of the three largest purchasers of textbooks in the country, many states simpy defer to the decisions that are made in those states, meaning that once an item has been vetted and removed by one of those states, it will no longer appear in any textbook.
The reactions of the people blaming her for the changes are proof that schools are failing because of these changes, as reading conprehension has been destroyed. 
…huh…that must be another Southwest flight, causing that whooshing sound above my head…
That depends on what the definition of “is” is.
As has been pointed out, this woman is OPPOSING this, I saw her interviewed on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart as well. She’s as outraged about it as you guys are. Jon’s reaction was hilarious, I thought the top of his head was gonna blow off.
I’m sorry, but this is hysterical. An entire thread started from a woosh.
Good times.
I’m just glad I was part of the last generation to get out of school before they became moron-manufacturing death-traps. Means I can look forward to a life time of leisure supported by the vast, ignorant underclass of menial laborers we are currently churning out of our public schools.
No offence to any teachers reading this thread. I’m sure you doing the best you can, but you’re like the Spartans at Thermopylae: incredibly brave, and utterly screwed.
Miller, I don’t think you can use “Spartans”, “Thermopylae” “screwed” “leisure” “School”
“moron” or “traps”.
Which generation was that? I’m just wondering which side of the line I’m on.
I’d have to say the last generation that was able to play with lawn darts. It’s all related.
Hemingway is spinning in his grave.
That was a good interview (with Jon Stewart) and it really made me want to read the book. The whole politically correct run wild is one of the most mind boggling things there is in America today. How can the fact that a story about a man actually has the word “man” in the title be sexist?
I graduated from High School in 1992. I could sense it coming and I hit the leading edge. It is one of many many things that make me glad I made it out when I did. I do feel sorry for the next generation.
In fact “The Old Man and the Sea” is a perfect Hemingway title. Right? That’s exactly how he wrote. Ugh!
That’s going too far! :dubious:
I believe that language should largely be unrestricted. There are cases where certain words or phrases “offend” and so out of respect and kindness I don’t use them when communicating to, or near the people who would be offended. That’s just common courtesy to me, and it helps society run smoother too.
These people to me at least, are just addled! How can you convey all the nuances that good communication requires if you can’t use adjectives? That’s what it seems to me they are trying to get rid of. :rolleyes:
Have they even considered that at times words must be few, short, and to the point? As in a manhunt for a violent offender, or an emergency situation? This is why verbal communication evolved in the first place. To quicly communicate ideas to help the “pack” survive.
Shudder Now I’m having a flashback. I once saw a “politically correct” children’s book.
Original title? “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”
New title? “The Three Co-Dependents” :eek:
DATELINE: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. The Chicago Reader today announced it was discontinuing “The Straight Dope” as the name of the often scathing, irreverant column authored by Cecil Adams, according to a spokesman for the company.
“We can no longer say ‘straight,’” explained Ed Zotti, “because it’s offensive to homosexuals. We also cannot continue to use ‘dope,’ because it implies illicit drug use.”
Mr. Zotti added that questions for Mr. Adams will now appear under the aegis of “The Not-Quite-Crooked Plausible Informative.”
Mr. Adams could not be reached for comment.