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This last Friday, I attended a high school graduation ceremony for a few of my friends in the grade below mine. As always, our shiny-headed principal listed off the great achievements of the class. "___ API score, ___ scholarships" etc etc. Then he stated two facts about the graduating class in this order.
1. 99% of the class was furthering their education (we're talking a good 600 kids or so). Some mild applause.
2. 12 students were joining the armed forces. Massive cheer.
Now, before you get on my case, understand that I have NO beef with the military whatsoever. I love everything that they do, that they fight for my rights and protect me from foreign enemies. Armed forces, you get my sincerest appreciation, and I truly thank you for everything you have done and will do to keep me safe.
But still... am I the only one who seems a problem with the crowd's response? That 12 students joining the military exceeds the importance of over 590 students furthering their knowledge, becoming smarter and more intellectually-savvy people? People that one day might benefit society with incredible inventions, or lead us with sound political ideals or morality. I can understand that 12 people risking their lives to protect the country is admirable to the highest degree. But as a country, nay as a species, shouldn't we have less violence-based priorities in life?
Since the stone age to the nuclear age, strives in technology and intellect go perfectly hand-in-hand with the escalation of warfare. And seeing a crowd of people in what I would call a very civilized part of America (we've had one murder in the last 20 years) get more excited about America furthering its combat potential over its scientific/technological prowess makes me a pretty sad panda.
What're your thoughts Teamliquid?
Edit: for any of those that're curious, I live in a region of northern California dubbed the East Bay.
 
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Are any of the 12 students going to the military popular by any chance?
My experiences in Highschool have taught me that popularity gets more cheers than anything else.
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I think that depending on the type of relatives that the military kids had, they might be the type of people who are more likely to cheer, stand up, etc. I have several friends whose moms embarass them at everything, including graduations, by cheering way too loudly. Could be that you have some of those in ur town.
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I think it is a bit annoying, sometimes even nauseating. The people who are in military service have a very respectable job and it deserves the utmost appreciation and respect, but the worship it gets at a regular basis is bit obnoxious.
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On June 13 2010 14:59 tobi9999 wrote:
Are any of the 12 students going to the military popular by any chance?
My experiences in Highschool have taught me that popularity gets more cheers than anything else.
In this instance, popularity SERIOUSLY wasn't a factor. There was a crowd of 3000+ family members and friends, and the difference in cheering I noticed was unmistakable.
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Maybe it was because the speech the bald guy was giving expected a cheer at the moment, the set-up beckoned it.
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May I ask where you live?
My state, Louisiana, gets the same sort of response.
Really like, 99% continuing education is really impressive, I doubt my school has that and we're the top of public schools in LA, yes that's like the bottom but what can you do.
I agree with you as well for the armed forces, I really respect them and many a time I have thought about serving myself, but education is important.
The fact that this is not the culture of many places in the US, is rather disheartening at times.
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I'd applaud louder for military people too. The majority of the kids going to college were told to do so since they were 10 years old, and going to college is generally fun and a self-improvement experience. Going into armed services is not. In a way, those who go into the armed services are sacrificing their current and future lives (I would never do it in a million years because it would set me back so much).
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On June 13 2010 15:05 eMbrace wrote:
I think it is a bit annoying, sometimes even nauseating. The people who are in military service have a very respectable job and it deserves the utmost appreciation and respect, but the worship it gets at a regular basis is bit obnoxious.
It was not that long ago that US soldiers were looked down upon in the Vietnam war, I think it's a healthy change, even though it might not make much sense.
Hell, some Evangelists still bring 'God Hates Fags' signs to dead soldiers funerals. 
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While the military worship attitude may be a factor, I think it's also probably recognition that the 12 students are literally sacrificing years and possibly their entire lives in service of the country. It's recognition of their sacrifice.
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On June 13 2010 15:23 Butigroove wrote:Show nested quote +On June 13 2010 15:05 eMbrace wrote:
I think it is a bit annoying, sometimes even nauseating. The people who are in military service have a very respectable job and it deserves the utmost appreciation and respect, but the worship it gets at a regular basis is bit obnoxious. It was not that long ago that US soldiers were looked down upon in the Vietnam war, I think it's a healthy change, even though it might not make much sense. Hell, some Evangelists still bring 'God Hates Fags' signs to dead soldiers funerals.
lol no it's certainly an improvement and I'm glad we have such respect for our military members, i'm just saying i think people put a bit too much glory around the whole ordeal. people who join the military are just like everyone else, just looking for a foundation to improve their lives upon. it's hard to explain how i feel about this. it's like, serving your country in war is a respectable job, but that doesn't exactly make you a great person.
i've had friends and even family join the army and i'm really proud of them, but i still find the, "these brave young and women are fighting for our freedom as we speak, rawwwrrrr!!!" attitude a bit overdone.
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On June 13 2010 14:56 dudeman001 wrote:
Edit: for any of those that're curious, I live in a region of northern California dubbed the East Bay.
Judging by east bay and the 99% post secondary rate, I assume you live in one of the richer areas, maybe tri-valley?. I dunno, post-secondary is kind of an expectation in those areas, kind of like par for the course. Joining the armed forces is definitely an admirable decision in general, but yeah it's also I assume out of the ordinary explaining extra attention.
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The difference is that it is expected for kids to go to college after highschool now. In fact, I bet most of the assembly does not know what the normal statistics for kids going to college out of total graduated are.
And even if they did, I dont think they would necessarily realize what a big deal 99% is. Atleast, not fast enough to cheer for it.
12 kids going into the military is like, 'oh wow awesome...i can get behind that'
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A-Probably the popular kids
B-Take a perspective check - intellect isn't everything, a lot of people pride action over ivory tower stuff.
C-Who cares? People have dumb ideas at an overwhelming rate.
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In my community joining the military isn't as romanticized as it seems to be in others, especially those in the US. It's almost a dirty word for some families (I'm sure it's the same all over). I guess a big part of the enthusiasm is that joining the military theoretically takes a lot of courage and a strong will... Traits not entirely necessary to go to college. Like ella before me pointed out, you seem to put a lot of emphasis on the value of a traditional education, and your perspective seems a little warped in it's favor. In any case you're over thinking it. Sorry less people clapped for you.
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why not make it 'seem' popular so kids keep joining the military so there is no draft for the rest of us
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those 12 people might die. for your privelage (read: not right) to live. not just live in this country but in general, live. people understand that, that's why they cheer, because they have someone to protect them so the 600 other people can go to college or where ever they go and not have to learn how to kill people or aid people who kill people. they can go have frat parties and enjoy their life on their own terms while those 12 people suffer for them.
it's not 'worship' and to call it such is naive and narrow-minded. everyone understands that joining the military is a tremendous voluntary sacrifice, the least you can do is make those people feel like they are making the right decision. people who are going to college aren't really sitting there wondering if they made the right choice, wondering what happens if they get shot or blown up or taken captive or any of the many horrible things that can happen to people in a military zone, whether you're a soldier or far from the field.
also, they definitely were not thinking about their applause as critically as you were. somehow i find it hard to believe they were thinking something like "well thank god we have at least12 fine soldiers now. fuck, we don't need 600 more doctors and lawyers and business executives and scientists, they're fucking useless. don't clap for those pussies."
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On June 13 2010 16:28 TommyGG wrote:
why not make it 'seem' popular so kids keep joining the military so there is no draft for the rest of us
^^ that's what i mean lol.
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I agree with all of Herculix says. Good post mang.
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it just feels like this kind of attitude makes it impossible to judge a person once they choose to join the military, and that's a large part of the appeal of it for young kids in high school. you can't say anything negative because they are such "self-sacrificing heroes".
very rarely does anyone join up because they feel a need to protected their beloved motherland, especially these days. and in truth a working country is a team effort from all working members of society. were all just trying to improve are lives, and some end up having to take up grittier and more dangerous jobs. they are still people like you and me, they don't turn to into gods. i have friends who currently serve and family members who recently got off tour. some joined the airforce and claim to be living the life as they travel the world, others were on the front lines and are back, nailing law enforcement jobs thanks to their new resume. huge respect is in order, for sure.
hard work, sacrificed a lot of time, endured tough training, and some endure some truly horrific stuff out there. my deep thanks goes out to them.
i'll clap loudly for these kids, but i know they aren't sacrificing their futures because of me, they are human and have personal gains to achieve with their decision just like i do, and so i respect their jobs because they are something i wouldn't do and someone has to do them. but i'd clap even louder for the kid who said he wanted to be a coal miner, that shit is even more dangerous..
again, these jobs deserve respect, but when kids get in my face and other peoples with the "you know, you wouldn't even be able to go to college if it weren't for us" talk, i have to kindly remind them that no, we actually would.
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You think being a coal miner is more dangerous then being a marine? Gimme a break.
If you and your company do everything right as a coal miner you wont have any problems.
If you and your leadership do everything right as a marine you can still die. Luck plays a factor in war, much as we would hate to admit it.
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i wasn't comparing a specific military position and my whole point was that we shouldn't be talking down to each other based on how dangerous of jobs we've ended up with.
apparently 5000 coal miners died in the year 2008 alone though, if you want to make a comparison over this.
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East Bay Fighting, where you at op?
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On June 13 2010 14:56 dudeman001 wrote:Now, before you get on my case, understand that I have NO beef with the military whatsoever. I love everything that they do, that they fight for my rights and protect me from foreign enemies. Armed forces, you get my sincerest appreciation, and I truly thank you for everything you have done and will do to keep me safe.
Love everything that they do? Really? Are you sure you have a very clear picture of all things they're doing...
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EPT
