indexed

First time visiting here. I finally clicked your link on Douglas Wilson's blog. This post was hilarious, as were many others. You have a real knack for this. :)

I don't really agree that the first one is taught in school. In fact, I try really hard to teach the opposite. (Put others first, think of how your actions impact others, how can we be more helpful, etc.)

My problem is that the self-centered view of the world is completely reinforced in places I have no control over.

Actually, I thought this one absolutely reflected my 13-almost-14-year-old to a tee. She has had this concept reinforced in school, in music and on TV so much that she has a hard time "seeing" that the world doesn't revolve around her (no matter how much her dad and I try to bring it to her attention). One teacher/school might be fantastic about teaching other-centered awareness and compassion, but there are unfortunately others out there that don't have the foresight to do so. All in all, I thought this one was funny and timely and unfortunately kinda accurate... The bottom line is that too many sources (be that people, the media, schools, parents, whatever) are leading our children down the long, hard road of self-centeredness...

Superb! I can not wait for the book...can we also have posters? Bookmarks, ooh a whole merchandising package! Just so you know, your observations make my day. Thanks, Pippa

Hi Jessica. I like yer funny cards!

(this is totally unrelated but)

< skrew winter >

I broke my toe
the other day.
It caused discomfort
and dismay.

It's only me
I have to thank -
but I'll still kill
that damned snowbank.

< skrew winter >
Category: Writing and Poetry
http://blog.myspace.com/up2late66

Now give me my fries, dammint!
(lol)

All the comments begin with I (fist person....)
It is not that easy.

A classic!

An astute observation!

You are absolutely brilliant. I heard you the other day on the Penn FreeFM radio show and decided to check out your "seven deadly sins" index card. I laughed my butt off.
I think that it is fantastic that you got a book deal. I hope all goes well. :)

This one cracks me up. It took me a minute to get it. Nice.

-jsh

I disagree with Robert S. I'm a teacher too, and I totally think that this is being taught by schools. The wormwood prevailing structure demands it. I think you're dead on. And hillarious, too!

I think the index card should be revised to show more of a continuum or evolution of sorts. First picture = Sun around the earth
Second picture = Earth around the Sun
Third picture = Earth around a student around the Sun.

If I did it, the first one would be "taught at home" and the second would be the opposite, labeled "taught in the real world".
But yours is good, too.

Hilarious! You're onto something, though I think the kids who think the world revolves around them pick that up at home.

NPR had a "story of the day" related to this same point the other day. If you didn't hear it, you should. It makes this case very well. Schools, as in elementary, middle, and high, may not teach "you are special"--but preschools do, and by the time kids are in later grades it can be too late.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7618722

(you can stream it off the website or if you subscribe to the "story of the day" npr podcast you can download the section I heard as mp3)

I agree, even though I don't have to as my view is just as important, if not more important, than yours.

=)

As someone who works the front line at a university, I can attest that it gets even worse after they leave elementary through highschool. Countless students apparently believe that the world revolves around them, and that they're entitled to have federal laws broken and policies bent until they snap for them to get their way.

Your card reminded me of a section in this book I'm reading by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D. called "Generation Me". I strongly recommend it. I'm thinking I'll start laughing as soon as I stop crying.

Tons of people think the world revolves around them. They're in every generation. Considering how drastically education theory and practice have changed from decade to decade, it's hard to believe that "in school" is where egocentrism is taught.

Imagine a 10 year old with her own Xbox, Wii, PSP, and phone, who gets presents in return for good grades from parents who never play with her and who work long days to pay for stuff to feed their own need to appear prosperous... Now imagine explaining to her that the meaning of life lies in human interactions, in learning from others through empathy and service and friendship.

School ain't the half of it.

On the other hand, you sure did spark up some conversation!
keep it up. :)

what's wrong with being special?
would you be doing this if you thought you didn't have something of your own to share?

there's a difference between "I'm somebody; I'm me!" and "I'm the only somebody and you're nobody!"

Egotism might come from NOT feeling special. Remember the adage about bullies being insecure inside? They strip others of power and dignity (out of envy).

If you know you're valued and have lots to offer, you've got no reason for arrogance, and every reason to practice generosity and compassion.

If not, you'll likely spend your thoughts hungering for attention, satisfaction, validation. These ones are the hungry ghosts.

amy cara's comment about self-centerdness being the result of neediness, a sort of self-soathing or coping gone wrong, is a very important point. Some people aren't simply pompous, they're actually wounded. Still, the point is well made, it doesn't matter to the world; the coping will just entrench and continue the conflict with reality.

I'm reminded of a bit out of Douglas Adam's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series (yes, I admit I read it a very long time ago). There's a desolate nothing of a planet with a small, unassuming shed on it that contains the worst punishment possible, everyone who goes in dies, becomes a complete lunatic, or something like that. So one guy gets put in but there's no screaming etc. and he walks out as if he'd been to the outhouse, no big deal. Turns out the punishment is to be shown how big the universe is and how utterly insignificant the person is, that's what drives them mad. When everybody wonders what happened, why he's not ruined, he says something like, "It just told me what I already knew: that I'm the center of the universe." Laugh now!