Perhaps a school system in the gulch wouldn't set the pace for learning at the lowest common denominator, reward employees for mediocre performance, adopt a promotion system that results in top heavy administration, and grades students on participation rather than results. If there were a school system like that, I'd bet your daughter would have a lot more interesting friendships. Just a personal thought, something like that could never happen in our schools. It could lead to young people being self sufficient and able to work for pay in their early teens like G. Washington surveying the new frontier. We could never except a result like that.

In my own experience, I found only a few friends in HS and college - everyone else was off being dovey and flowery (guess what era that was!); I made fewer friends in college than I had in HS. It was not until I was in the AF that I joined an odd (not AF) club and actually found 'people who would laugh at my jokes' (and whose jokes I actually found funny). Most of my friends (from that group) are verrrrry liberal, but they are imaginative and intelligent and motivated to do interesting things...and there are a few quiet Randists in the bunch. Up until that time, my immediate family was the only place I could have a conversation.

It is like one of those urban fantasy novels where you find that the world you thought you knew 'was not the only one'. This forum is an example of a 'world within a world'. I suspect that your daughter might have to find her own subset of the world in order to have a circle of friends.

I will point out that a school system in the Gulch would be derivative of a self-selecting minority and even without any overt changes in policy or procedure would already be quite different.

Jan

db and I would immediately set up a "Made By Man" lab, where gulchers could test out their inventive concepts with some working prototypes. We would also offer 3D printing services for limited manufacturing runs of products gulchers will need, looking at a wide range of inventive materials. As we build up to full capacity in the Made By Man Labs, we would also teach. Db Mathematics, engineering, physics and me -History, English, Literature. Some things we are working on I would never post on a forum ;)

I understand perfectly jbrenner. My husband and I are both people who grew up moving all over the country (for myself the world) and once we settled into our home here in Ohio it was and still is extremely difficult to find people who are interested in having an intelligent, interesting, fulfilling conversation other than shopping or partying for the weekend. That's why some internet sites are such a good place for venting, outlets and actually finding people who can have a substantive conversation.

Well said Jb. I wish your daughter all the best and I enjoy your input. Glad you found your way to the Gulch.

Same here. My wife is my best friend and I have great conversations with her but she is the only one. I can identify with your daughter's high school experience. I was and always have been a loner and it wasn't until years later that I realized why.

Agreed jb. to learn what I have learned here in the Gulch has made me really look at things in this world in a different light. I do not claim to know it all, but it helps to have like minded people helping out with no question. I was always told if you do not ask a question how will you know the answer. Simple terms from a man who has long since passed. My dad would have enjoyed this community. The subjects they taught during his day were a whole lot different than mine and also no Common Core. I think he probably is rolling in his grave. He told me once he took trig. and calculus in high school. Trig. he passed with flying colors. Calculus he passed, but it bored him. When he graduated he went 1 semester of college the quit and went into the field he loved. Truck driving.

I empathize with your daughter and many here. I find myself coming here for the conversations that I rarely have elsewhere. Often I simply read through the threads because "listening" to other intelligent people conversing without having to throw in my 2 cents is equally important.

Being fairly new here, and with health situations at home that keep me well occupied, I don't often get the chance to contribute, but these forums are my lifeline! Welcome jbrenner and I can sympathize with your at-work non-intellectuals situation and your daughter's at-school situation. If the Gulch ever decides to move to our own city (not gated, just quietly bought up by $ one home at a time), I will be there! It would be a huge pleasure and an immense challenge to keep up with so many thinking neighbors in person, but until that day, I will happily enjoy our online discussions.Again, welcome!

DITTO!

Needed in the Gulch: Intelligent socialists willing to explain and defend their beliefs and value systems, instead of socialist lurkers, pretending to be liberal thinkers, who don't advance, but obfuscate the discussion. Start from fundamentals and give me an honest argument, instead of telling me you like Ayn Rand but then in every case oppose the things she stood for.

VIOLENCE WORKS! All around the world, everywhere I've been it's been obvious the side willing to do the most violence wins. So it is in conflicts of the mind; those who allow their opponents to avoid the fight will be subsumed into the very groups they failed to oppose.

Enough of these shills. Where are the flaming socialists, telling us they have a right to the fruits of our labors?

Not necessarily instead... for some of us it just adds to being well rounded. And sometimes, that community is where you can also find like minded individuals.

I absolutely understand where your daughter is coming from, JB. It's somewhat disheartening, not only that there are so few intellectually stimulating people in the morass of public schools (including the instructors), but that it is expected for you to lower yourself down to their level. At least it will get better once she has left the sheeple factory behind!

Glad to see you here, JB!

I joined the Gulch for similar reasons. My friends and family don't entertain intelligent conversation. Nor do they care to discuss anything of value. Mostly they don't care to form opinions on pretty much anything...which I find to be dangerous, especially with the way things have become. Anyway...I come here to find the intelligent conversation and learn new things...the discussions definitely keep me on my toes. I am so happy to have found this forum.

JBrenner, it's interesting that you made the church/forum connection--I tell people..."Some people have the Bible, I have Atlas Shrugged."

I decided to watch Atlas Shrugged 1 while my daughter was getting ready for high school graduation in a couple of hours. My daughter came in and said that Dagny Taggart was her hero and then explained why. I could not be more proud!!! She is en route toward being a Dagny.

Nicely put.

Welcome to the Gulch (wishing it was in the real world). I'm glad this is a forum for intelligent discussion and thought. I have no friends here in rural Az. The last time I had any friends was back in college 40 plus years ago. Unfortunately, I lost track of them all. But here in the Gulch is pretty great!

The problem comes in associating learning ability with age instead of by intellect and personal discipline (both necessary for learning).

While I acknowledge in concept the idea of having kids play with kids their own age and develop socially with kids their own age, I don't believe that academic learning should be so restricted, as it only results in a "Harrison Bergeron" approach. If you've never read the short story by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., you can find it online for free. It's a great story all about the enforcement of "equality".

What your daughter probably suffers from is having self-discipline and intellect that exceed that of her classmates (big surprise).

Well then Amen Brother.

Yes....it's a voluntary association. Not "society which must be obeyed". There's a considerable difference.

J, could we substitute "neighborhood" -- community reminds too much of commune ?
I love your participation and that of this great bunch of friends who make the gulch very special !!! -- j