My mother always took this position about the typical ‘60s TV sitcom style and “snarky” comedians: People emulating the snarky sarcastic “cool” character without understanding the sarcasm just wind up being aggressive and nasty, and the average level of social interaction is made harsher. Of course each show or comedian says it’s not their specific fault that society becomes coarser, but if they expect TV to sell soap then they should expect TV to sell that behavior pattern too. Having Caulfield worry in-story that his snark about school leads to people in the real world being anti-intellectual (obviously completely misunderstanding the character) is an interestingly porous use of the fourth wall.
The ignorant are our fault collectively… “This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy…” , Charles Dickens.
Good teachers — especially at the elementary level, where it’s the same batch of kids all day long — DO pick up on behavioral changes in their students. Many cases of child abuse have been discovered this way.
KenTheCoffinDweller almost 3 years ago
At least he seems to be making an honest attempt to have a useful conversion and not just assuming major problems exist.
Concretionist almost 3 years ago
Caulfield has succumbed to a fairly common “bright kid” fallacy. But it really IS NOT all about him.
Doug K almost 3 years ago
Just make up for it next time. (Go for a “double zinger”.)
sandpiper almost 3 years ago
After decades in the education field, Mr. Spaetzle is a realist. Caulfield has begun to realize that he is fighting a steep uphill battle.
DutchUncle almost 3 years ago
My mother always took this position about the typical ‘60s TV sitcom style and “snarky” comedians: People emulating the snarky sarcastic “cool” character without understanding the sarcasm just wind up being aggressive and nasty, and the average level of social interaction is made harsher. Of course each show or comedian says it’s not their specific fault that society becomes coarser, but if they expect TV to sell soap then they should expect TV to sell that behavior pattern too. Having Caulfield worry in-story that his snark about school leads to people in the real world being anti-intellectual (obviously completely misunderstanding the character) is an interestingly porous use of the fourth wall.
MS72 almost 3 years ago
Jesus said, “For you have the poor and the willfully ignorant with you always …”.
DM2860 almost 3 years ago
If you don’t believe it, just read the comments on the political cartoons.
Jhony-Yermo almost 3 years ago
I love Frazz. Do I always get it. Nope. :-)
cervelo almost 3 years ago
The ignorant are our fault collectively… “This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy…” , Charles Dickens.
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Good teachers — especially at the elementary level, where it’s the same batch of kids all day long — DO pick up on behavioral changes in their students. Many cases of child abuse have been discovered this way.
scaeva Premium Member almost 3 years ago
No, they are the educational system’s fault.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member almost 3 years ago
that’s a career? I wish i had known i could earn a living by being a smart a**!
tee929 almost 3 years ago
It seems Caulfield is the teacher and Mrs. Olsen the student……..
unfair.de 6 months ago
Not your fault and not your job. But if you want to have a career as a school principal you can make the willfully ignorant your job.
Be warned: those come not only as students, but mostly as parents and grandparents.