They also told us that cats, dogs, and other animals couldn't really feel pain; that they weren't self-aware; that they were not intelligent; they could not communicate; they could not problem-solve; &c. One of the primary criteria they used for determining humans were the only intelligent species was that, supposedly, only humans were tool-users. Tool use was the primary criterion for determination.
They also told us that "Democracy™" and capitalism were superior economic and political systems to any other which had ever been tried or envisioned. They told us that the United States would never, ever perform any of the actions nor institute any of the policies that were seen as abuses or abominations in the Third Reich of Germany, or the CCCP / ROC. Because we were the "Good Guys™," and "Morally superior" to all of those nations. Many of the policies and actions they assured us would never happen have become the "new normal," in recent years. (Cf. Current abductions in Portland, OR, by Federal personnel wearing no agency or unit insignia; simply dressed in "camo" fatigues, grabbing people off the streets without warning, as a part of Donald Trump's decree that "Our sacred monuments will be protected.") (Cf. the requirement in some Southwest states that Latinx folk must carry citizenship and/or residency papers on their persons at all times, or risk deportation as "Undesirable Aliens.") (Cf. the increasing erosion of constitutional protections against one's home being invaded by law enforcement personnel without a search warrant. Same for personal search and seizure.)
They told us that, if we were in trouble, we could always run to a Policeman, and that we could trust the Police to protect us and help us, in a crisis.
They taught us that, no matter how dire the crisis that might arise, we could always be confident that Science and Scientists would find a way to solve it.
They taught us that, if we were willing to work hard and not be lazy, that we could get ahead in life, live well, and enjoy a standard of living better than that which our parents did, and that we were raised in.
They taught us that the US won the war of 1812.
They taught us that the US, primarily, was responsible for winning WWI and WWII.
There are many other things they taught us, which were wrong. Some things I can see...we revise our teaching and our understanding, as we gain knowledge, and cringe at our former ignorance and stupidity. Some of them...were simply wrong.
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Date: 2020-07-17 09:43 pm (UTC)They also told us that cats, dogs, and other animals couldn't really feel pain; that they weren't self-aware; that they were not intelligent; they could not communicate; they could not problem-solve; &c. One of the primary criteria they used for determining humans were the only intelligent species was that, supposedly, only humans were tool-users. Tool use was the primary criterion for determination.
They also told us that "Democracy™" and capitalism were superior economic and political systems to any other which had ever been tried or envisioned. They told us that the United States would never, ever perform any of the actions nor institute any of the policies that were seen as abuses or abominations in the Third Reich of Germany, or the CCCP / ROC. Because we were the "Good Guys™," and "Morally superior" to all of those nations. Many of the policies and actions they assured us would never happen have become the "new normal," in recent years. (Cf. Current abductions in Portland, OR, by Federal personnel wearing no agency or unit insignia; simply dressed in "camo" fatigues, grabbing people off the streets without warning, as a part of Donald Trump's decree that "Our sacred monuments will be protected.") (Cf. the requirement in some Southwest states that Latinx folk must carry citizenship and/or residency papers on their persons at all times, or risk deportation as "Undesirable Aliens.") (Cf. the increasing erosion of constitutional protections against one's home being invaded by law enforcement personnel without a search warrant. Same for personal search and seizure.)
They told us that, if we were in trouble, we could always run to a Policeman, and that we could trust the Police to protect us and help us, in a crisis.
They taught us that, no matter how dire the crisis that might arise, we could always be confident that Science and Scientists would find a way to solve it.
They taught us that, if we were willing to work hard and not be lazy, that we could get ahead in life, live well, and enjoy a standard of living better than that which our parents did, and that we were raised in.
They taught us that the US won the war of 1812.
They taught us that the US, primarily, was responsible for winning WWI and WWII.
There are many other things they taught us, which were wrong. Some things I can see...we revise our teaching and our understanding, as we gain knowledge, and cringe at our former ignorance and stupidity. Some of them...were simply wrong.