He may not fit your perfectionist view of the world but he's a great human being.

At least I think so...

You're arguing against an ideology cRunchy.

If something can't be bought and sold, it has no value.
If someone like your friend falls on hard times, it's his own fault.

The funny thing is, if your friend was exactly as he is now, same skills, education and abilities, but was fithy rich...those same people who spit on him now would then be licking his boots and telling him how good they taste.
No matter what he had been walking in.

They see no value in the person, all value is based on what the person has.

It's a sad and shallow philosophy created by the corporatists in their efforts to remake citizens of a nation into consumers in a marketplace.

Kindness, wisdom and the work ethic mean nothing to these automatons because these qualities cannot be bought and sold.

SNIPS Lots more...

A few years ago I had a guy come to an adult language class I was working in.

He was 55 and unemployed and for whatever reason he had never learnt to read.

.......

"because he couldn't read the manuals or the computer screen..."

Clearly a victim of his own lifestyle. Are we to believe that in 50+ years he NEVER had the time or opportunity to learn to read or did he CHOOSE to be that way? Bad stuff happens to good people everyday for reasons we cannot control...lack of education isn't one of those reasons.

...snip...

The story is true.

Tough luck if it bothers you.

Sorry if this individual does not fit into your concrete value system.

Since you know near zip about the guy it's a bit sad adding your own interpretation of his life just to bolster your world view.

Doesn't bother me in the least bit. As I indicated earlier, I don't have compassion for those who make life hard on themselves.

...BTW, it's learned, not learnt

Really.

Sorry again :o( - I didn't mean to tax your education.

You already know I'm from the UK.

I use the word 'learnt' but you can spell it which ever way you wish.

... or were you just trying to show how much cleverer you were than me?


I guess it doesn't matter too much.

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

The story about the 55 year old guy is still true though and if you ever come to my city I will take you to meet him.

He may not fit your perfectionist view of the world but he's a great human being.

At least I think so...
... So shoot me.



It's an odd world no doubt.


.

As he has already found out, the hard way I might add, the ability to read is a required skill in today's world. His worth as a human being is quite irrelevant to this fact and was never questioned by me in the first place.

---

He may not fit your perfectionist view of the world but he's a great human being.

At least I think so...

You're arguing against an ideology cRunchy.

If something can't be bought and sold, it has no value.
If someone like your friend falls on hard times, it's his own fault.

The funny thing is, if your friend was exactly as he is now, same skills, education and abilities, but was fithy rich...those same people who spit on him now would then be licking his boots and telling him how good they taste.
No matter what he had been walking in.


They see no value in the person, all value is based on what the person has.

It's a sad and shallow philosophy created by the corporatists in their efforts to remake citizens of a nation into consumers in a marketplace.

Kindness, wisdom and the work ethic mean nothing to these automatons because these qualities cannot be bought and sold.

You ever met a rich man who couldn't read?

You think there might be some sort of correlation between education and income levels?

Median Annual Income, by Level of Education, 1990–2004

Isn't it funny how the real world just doesn't seem to operate the way YOU think it should...lol

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You ever met a rich man who couldn't read?

YES, I have... And quite a few that couldn't type either! Yet they have jobs, good jobs...

Isn't it funny how the real world just doesn't seem to operate the way YOU think it should

The 'real world' doesn't operate on 'statistics'... Put down the calculator and open your eyes... ;)


(Here is a 'real world' fact for ya: Numbers don't lie, but people do.)

---

It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

You ever met a rich man who couldn't read?

You think there might be some sort of correlation between education and income levels?

While income levels do have a direct link to educational levels, would you not agree that it is so much easier to receive a college education as a rich white male than a homeless brown person?

Is the correlation stating that education leads to income or is it more likely that income leads to education?

I've met a few rich people. Not many. Funny, but the conversation never got around to whether they can read or not.

I venture that the illiteracy rates drop as one's wealth increases but it never reaches zero. Some inbred land baron's son with all the money in the world could inherit the vast amount and never be able to read the will.

SNIP...

"because he couldn't read the manuals or the computer screen..."

SNIP...

Doesn't bother me in the least bit. As I indicated earlier, I don't have compassion for those who make life hard on themselves.

He didn't make life hard for himself. As a child he just was not taught.

And as an adult, HE neglected to educate himself for 30+ years.

As those who have it is our job to educate.

While I agree with the concept, I must point out that I am not a teacher and therefore educating others is NOT my job.

Critisism or philosophical disregard for those who never had an oppourtunity really doesn't count as an educating force.

Again, I refer you to the 30+ years as a adult where HE neglected to seek that education.

The guy kept himself educated on a practical level enough to work.

Apparently not...didn't you indicate he lost his job because he couldn't read the instruction book or the computer screen?

Sadly he fell out of step.

Sad indeed, but 100% his fault AS AN ADULT

Who cares if he couldn't read or write.

He was a good human being.

His employers?

I'll pay taxes any day to support that kind of person.

and you do..

...BTW, it's learned, not learnt

SNIP...
You already know I'm from the UK.

I use the word 'learnt' but you can spell it which ever way you wish.

SNIP...

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

You're registered in the USA.

I generally don't speak or use American English.
... (Although I have picked up some nuances via the net.)

Mostly I don't use the so called "Queens English" either.

I use the form of English informed by my education system, society and primarly by my locale.

Why would you want to suggest I am "butchering" my language unless of course you are educated as a British Linguist... Are you?

Of course not, however, I noted that the term "learnt" was not listed in the dictionary you quoted. It's a form of Englished utilized in your local...that does not make it proper English.

I think English is a fluid and rather beautiful language.

I don't assume you are less able or educated because you don't type the way I do.

Big difference between typing skill and improper use of the language.

What level of education do you assume or think I have?
(It would be interesting to see your evaluation of me..)

I would assume everyone here has some level of higher education. However, having a degree is considerably different than being able to utilize the skills you've learned.

I'm English. It'll be an odd day when somebody can criticise me for not conversing in English...

Well my birthday was this past friday.

SNIP...
The story about the 55 year old guy is still true though and if you ever come to my city I will take you to meet him.

He may not fit your perfectionist view of the world but he's a great human being.

At least I think so...
... So shoot me.
SNIP...
.

As he has already found out, the hard way I might add, the ability to read is a required skill in today's world. His worth as a human being is quite irrelevant to this fact and was never questioned by me in the first place.

As a child he had no choice. He didn't find out the hard way. He just found out he had no more options even though he had tried so hard.

Again, I refer you to the past 30+ years he was considered an adult by basically every standard on the planet.

The 'worth' of any human has rellevance to everything we do!

You wouldn't argue your viewpoint if you did not believe in a better world for the people you cared about.

Yet you fail to comprehend that education is a key aspect of that "better world".

deleted profanity


.

---

You ever met a rich man who couldn't read?

You think there might be some sort of correlation between education and income levels?

While income levels do have a direct link to educational levels, would you not agree that it is so much easier to receive a college education as a rich white male than a homeless brown person?

Absolutely not. Ever heard of the United Negro College fund? How about financial aid based on income? Two sources specifically geared to the "homeless brown person"

Is the correlation stating that education leads to income or is it more likely that income leads to education?

Financial aid is available to all who qualify, Student loans are available to all who seek them. While that bit of propaganda might hold water in Canada (although I doubt it) it certainly DOES NOT in America.

I've met a few rich people. Not many. Funny, but the conversation never got around to whether they can read or not.

I venture that the illiteracy rates drop as one's wealth increases but it never reaches zero. Some inbred land baron's son with all the money in the world could inherit the vast amount and never be able to read the will.

and yet, you seem to have NOT cited one example while I clearly showed that there is a correlation between education and income levels

---

SNIP...
Well my birthday was this past friday.

I missed it. I'm Sorry.

I hope you enjoyed your birthday.

I hope the year ahead will be special for you BrainSmashR.


cRunchy.

.

Absolutely not. Ever heard of the United Negro College fund? How about financial aid based on income? Two sources specifically geared to the "homeless brown person"

Of course.
How could I have been so naive?
That explains why Yale and Harvard are so full of destitute homeless students.
I must have been hoodwinked by socialist propaganda once again.

Thanks for setting the record straight again in that way only you (and a friend or two) seem to be able to do so well.

Snark Snark

That's the sound of a non-confrontational laugh through my nose.

@ cRunchy: true mi friend

These are alternative forms of the past tense and past participle of the verb learn. Learnt is more common in British English, and learned in American English. There are a number of verbs of this type (burn, dream, kneel, lean, leap, spell, spill, spoil etc.). They are all irregular verbs, and this is a part of their irregularity

@ Tracy - as said in other Threads - Hope ya had a great Birthday Sir! . . .

---

BOINC Wiki . . .

Science Status Page . . .

The Dr. can fix anything.

Absolutely not. Ever heard of the United Negro College fund? How about financial aid based on income? Two sources specifically geared to the "homeless brown person"

Of course.
How could I have been so naive?
That explains why Yale and Harvard are so full of destitute homeless students.
I must have been hoodwinked by socialist propaganda once again.

Financial aid is available at both of those institutions. In fact, it's my understanding that Harvard is now offering FREE tuition to families with incomes lower than 60k per year...assuming said individual meets the ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS to attend an Ivy League institution.

http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/12.13/99-finaid.html
The new initiative is the latest chapter in Harvard’s systematic effort to increase affordability and widen access for qualified students from across the economic spectrum. In the winter of 2004, under the leadership of President Lawrence H. Summers, Harvard transformed the financial aid landscape with its announcement that families with annual incomes below $40,000 would not be expected to pay for their sons or daughters to go to Harvard. The zero-contribution threshold was raised to $60,000 in 2006, with further reductions in parental contributions for families with incomes up to $80,000. Over the past three years, the number of students in these income ranges has increased by 33 percent, representing a quarter of the entering Class of 2011....

....Currently, two-thirds of Harvard College students receive some form of financial aid, and half receive need-based scholarship aid from Harvard, totaling more than $98 million.

Thanks for setting the record straight again in that way only you (and a friend or two) seem to be able to do so well.

Snark Snark

That's the sound of a non-confrontational laugh through my nose.

Well it's often been stated that ignorance is bliss....I just didn't realize they enjoyed it as much as you seem to.

Snark Snark indeed...

---

Thanx for the birthday wishes everyone...

---

While income levels do have a direct link to educational levels,

Unfortunately, 'educational levels' do not have a direct link to 'intelligence levels'... ;)

(Even a parrot can say what it's taught to say and do what it's taught to do. Yet, the bird is only as wealthy as its master allows.)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

For someone who recently said "There is a difference between opinions supported by verifiable fact, and opinions based on ... ignorance", your ignorance of non-American English and the contents of the Oxford English Dictionary raises eyebrows.

I use the form of English informed by my education system, society and primarly (sic) by my locale.

SNIP...

Of course not, however, I noted that the term "learnt" was not listed in the dictionary you quoted. It's a form of Englished utilized in your local...that does not make it proper English.

Further reference to a dictionary or two should clear up your apparent confusion between the meaning (in context) of a "local", and that of a "locale".

---

You ever met a rich man who couldn't read?

You think there might be some sort of correlation between education and income levels?

While income levels do have a direct link to educational levels, would you not agree that it is so much easier to receive a college education as a rich white male than a homeless brown person?

Is the correlation stating that education leads to income or is it more likely that income leads to education?

I've met a few rich people. Not many. Funny, but the conversation never got around to whether they can read or not.

I venture that the illiteracy rates drop as one's wealth increases but it never reaches zero. Some inbred land baron's son with all the money in the world could inherit the vast amount and never be able to read the will.

Ahh..you've heard of the British royal family then?

---

Account frozen...

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

For someone who recently said "There is a difference between opinions supported by verifiable fact, and opinions based on ... ignorance", your ignorance of non-American English and the contents of the Oxford English Dictionary raises eyebrows.

I use the form of English informed by my education system, society and primarly (sic) by my locale.

SNIP...

Of course not, however, I noted that the term "learnt" was not listed in the dictionary you quoted. It's a form of Englished utilized in your local...that does not make it proper English.

Further reference to a dictionary or two should clear up your apparent confusion between the meaning (in context) of a "local", and that of a "locale".

We are all capable of making typo's...I am neither ashamed nor impressed

---

We are all capable of making typo's.

Can you say: DOUBLE STANDARD... ;)

(It's the biggest flaw in your ideology. But at least it's a consistent flaw.)

---

It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

For someone who recently said "There is a difference between opinions supported by verifiable fact, and opinions based on ... ignorance", your ignorance of non-American English and the contents of the Oxford English Dictionary raises eyebrows.

I use the form of English informed by my education system, society and primarly (sic) by my locale.

SNIP...

Of course not, however, I noted that the term "learnt" was not listed in the dictionary you quoted. It's a form of Englished utilized in your local...that does not make it proper English.

Further reference to a dictionary or two should clear up your apparent confusion between the meaning (in context) of a "local", and that of a "locale".

We are all capable of making typo's...I am neither ashamed nor impressed

An Englishman's "local" is typically the nearest public house (or bar for those in the US). Was it a typo or were you just making humorous (humourous in the UK) use of a colloquialism?

BTW, belated birthday wishes.

---

I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that ...

Why would I care if you choose to butcher the English language by utilizing slang? I merely pointed out the error. You might be interested to find that even your sweet little askoxford site doesn't include "learnt" in the English dictionary search.

For someone who recently said "There is a difference between opinions supported by verifiable fact, and opinions based on ... ignorance", your ignorance of non-American English and the contents of the Oxford English Dictionary raises eyebrows.

I use the form of English informed by my education system, society and primarly (sic) by my locale.

SNIP...

Of course not, however, I noted that the term "learnt" was not listed in the dictionary you quoted. It's a form of Englished utilized in your local...that does not make it proper English.

Further reference to a dictionary or two should clear up your apparent confusion between the meaning (in context) of a "local", and that of a "locale".

We are all capable of making typo's...I am neither ashamed nor impressed

An Englishman's "local" is typically the nearest public house (or bar for those in the US). Was it a typo or were you just making humorous (humourous in the UK) use of a colloquialism?

BTW, belated birthday wishes.

Ha...I wish I could claim it was the latter of the two.

Thanks for the birthday wishes....

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