-
Think critically.
I agree.
-
Use proper spelling and grammar, or know where to go to find the answer to a grammatical or othographic question.
I might say, if you do any significant amount of writing, to not be afraid of editing.
-
Use a computer, which includes finding specific information on the Internet, sending & receiving e-mail, creating and working with office software files (MS Office, Google Docs, etc.).
Very useful.
-
Hold a friendly, interesting conversation with a stranger or group of strangers.
I wish I could do this.
-
Change a diaper, and calm a crying infant or child.
I hope I never have to do any of this, although with item 3, I’d probably do somewhat acceptably
-
Create a good, professional résumé.
My profession uses CVs, but generally yes.
-
Select attractive, color-coordinated outfits.
I would go with, be aware of, and do, proper grooming and hygiene. On those occasions where you need to be “attractive,” just use a friend.
-
Iron your own clothing (without melting it, burning yourself, or setting fire to anything!).
I think this fits with item 7.
-
Tie a necktie.
I don’t know if women need to do this, and if it’s not common for you, item 3 fits again.
-
Braid a little girl’s hair.
I don’t think this is really necessary.
-
Take a good photograph.
I think this is nice, but not really important.
-
Play a musical instrument (the human voice counts, as long as you have the musical training to “play” it knowledgeably).
I think some knowledge of music theory is part of a general education, but with item 3, again, it’s not like you have to sit in silence if you don’t know how to play.
-
Speak a foreign language.
I would go with, have some familiarity with a culture not your own. Language can do this, but I think it’s not usually worth the effort. Attaining any sort of fluency in another language is difficult.
-
Somewhat related to the above, have some grasp of Latin, or at least a basic conceptual understanding of the modern Romance languages.
I would throw in Greek too, so that you can figure out words you don’t know.
-
Dance decently well.
Why? What kind of dancing?
-
Play poker, chess, checkers, baseball, football, and soccer (or at least know the general rules governing these three sports).
I don’t agree.
-
Sew (well enough to replace a button or mend a tear).
Very helpful, and I wish I could.
-
Cook basic meals.
Yes.
-
Select the best fresh produce.
I’m not sure how important this is, but sure.
-
Put together a healthy diet.
I think items 18 to 20 can be subsumed under, "Understand basic nutrition and cooking."
-
Exercise properly.
I would say, "Find some sort of physical activity you like and try to do it regularly."
-
Care for a plant, and at least one kind of mammalian housepet.
People who don’t like pets or plants don’t have them.
-
Drive a manual-transmission vehicle (a “stick-shift”). And, drive defensively!
I agree with the second half, but not the first.
-
Change a flat tire.
Or get a phone and an auto club membership.
-
Check your car’s oil level, and change the oil and filter, yourself.
I don’t think this is necessary. There are rarely "oil change emergencies."
-
Buy a good used car, avoiding lemons, and not paying too much.
**Too rare to be necessary, in my opinion. **
-
Identify Venus, the North Star, the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), and Orion.
I can do all these things! Orion’s hard, though, since it’s absent for half the year.
-
Shoot a firearm (this includes safe weapon handling, loading/charging, and proper marksmanship basics).
I disagree. Maybe the handling part.
-
Identify key figures, eras, and places in American history.
True, but vague.
-
Know the locations and names of the earth’s continents, and which countries (generally) are on each one. Oceans, too.
Sure.
-
Survive for at least a couple of days in the wild (ie, have a grasp of very rudimentary survival skills).
Unlikely to be important, but of course, useful if you’re in that situation. Overall, I’d say not likely enough to be important to be worth the effort if nature isn’t your thing.
-
Identify threats, security risks, and physical hazards, wherever you are.
Sure.
-
Defend yourself in case of bodily assault (no black-belt required; just know a few fundamentals of self-defense).
Too unlikely to be worth the effort.
-
Swim.
If you have been known to go anywhere near water.
-
Skip a rock across a natural body of water.
Light-hearted and learnable in maybe fifteen minutes. I’d keep this on the list.
-
Fish.
I hate fishing. I wouldn’t push that on anyone.
-
Perform CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and basic first aid.
Yes.
-
Develop (and stick to!) a household budget.
I would expan this one to include all aspects of personal finance.
-
Write a check (you know, those slips of paper that folks used to use to pay bills, before e-bills and online bill paying?).
I disagree. Checks are no longer all that useful.
-
Argue a point rationally and convincingly.
I think this goes with item 1.
-
Stay confident and assertive in all situations, even if it means faking it.
I’m not sure of this one. Confidence has its place, but so does an honest declaration of vulnerability.
-
Identify your two Senators and your Congressional Representatives, and know who presently holds the Offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary of State.
I would add the Speaker of the House, your governor, and mayor, as well as the politcal affiliations of all of them.
-
Polish boots/shoes.
This fits with item 7.
-
Distinguish north from south, east from west, all by yourself, using natural cues (no GPS, cell phone, map, or signs!).
Not often necessary, but useful. Also this is difficult to do when it’s cloudy.
-
Read an actual road map and plan a driving route. No MapQuest, no GoogleMaps!!
No longer necessary, due to item 3.
-
Understand the theory behind old-school land navigation (map & compass).
**I don’t see the purpose for this one. Who navigates any distance with a compass? **
-
Know your family’s general history, and the names of your ancestors at least 4 or 5 generations back.
Overall, I would agree.
-
Respect your body’s limits with alcohol.
And everything else. At least by the time you’re twenty-five or so. Otherwise, how can you test your limits?
-
Floss your teeth properly.
I think this fits with item 7.
-
Tell time on an analog clock.
This one I think everyone should know before they’re ten.
