"Intelligence is morally neutral. It is no more virtuous than athletic prowess."
-Chris Hedges, Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle
Everyone seems to have a side in the Tiger Mom debate. Meanwhile, concerned parents in my small southern town show their unconditional love for their children through continuous cajoling and scheduling to make sure they maximize the socializing experience-- the teamwork-building triumph-- of youth athletics. But few Americans seem concerned about the extent to which their children are truly educated as discerning, critical thinkers. The next time someone says, "Your son is SO smart," I will bite my lip again and wonder when we will debate the ability of our children to feel empathy for their fellow human beings. If you want to give me a compliment, please skip the smarts. Tell me my children are kind and absolutely incapable of using nuclear devices on unarmed populations. That would mean much more to me.
