I came across a story on Boing Boing that was equal parts depressing and ironic.
Depressing: The vice-principal of a San Diego school called in the bomb squad after seeing a student’s science project, fearing that it was dangerous.
Ironic: The school is Millennial Tech Magnet Middle School, which emphasizes technological skills.
This incident seems to highlight both the ridiculous paranoia taking over our culture, and the obliviousness some educators seem to have concerning what their students are doing.
Even more depressing? This quote from the story from Sign on San Diego:
The student will not be prosecuted, but authorities were recommending that he and his parents get counseling, the spokesman said.
Yes, let’s discourage the kid from creating more science projects by telling him he needs counseling, for, you know creating something for the school that emphasizes technology.
God! I saw this too. In my opinion, this (and a lot of the airport security ridiculousness) is a product of our culture’s emphasis on ZERO risk and ZERO tolerance.
That requirement that everything be treated as black or white means that any slightest shade of gray gets labeled “black” and senseless stuff like this happens.
Grrrr.
We’ve been trying to idiot proof the world for a couple of decades now….it does get depressing after awhile.
And ironically, it just gets more idiots when you try do that!
Message for the principal: India and China are calling…they’re thanking you for handing them the future.