This post was created and saved on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Somehow, I got around to posting it today. It appears chronologically also.
Things you don't learn in school: a speech by Bill Gates.
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a high school about 11 things students did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger! flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
If you agree, pass it on. If you can read this - Thank a teacher! Most of all Thank A Veteran for keeping our country free so this can be passed on to someone else.
Thank you Bill Gates for your words of wisdom. As graduation approaches, these rules should be shared with all seniors.
Posted by lakeviewer at 8:40 AM
Labels: Bill Gates's: Things you don't learn in school.
23 comments:
Ouch! I don't want to rain on your parade but this is one for the spoiled brats, isn't it? Or a very bad day.
This post evokes memories. In the 60s I worked in a juvenile offfenders facility. The alumni used to tell us:"While we were here you instilled confidence and trust in us. The educators we could trust, but, now, outside we can,t trust anyone...and you have not prepared us for that".
In the mid 70s, with another agency, I was interviewing youg social work graduates for openings wr had in several departments. One postulated for school services because of the two months vacations. When I told her that it was one month, she was very disappointed. We did not hire for anything.
Great Minds think alike.
I did this one a while ago! Great isn't it?
Awesome! I taught my three children that if you want it---WORK for it!
I told my daughter that the only Prince Charming out there, was a college degree! All three work for themselves in their own companies.
~ Carol `
Sharing the role of 'educator' I fully appreciate the counsel given here. My three sons were very much raised with these principles at hand. It is heartening when they thank me for being "tough" - believing they were capable even if it meant they had to be inconvenienced or 'stretched.' They are making it in this changing economy - yes, our resourcefulness is what needs to be nurtured in those formative years. Great post -thank you.
And thank you for visiting APOGEE Poet - I appreciate your interest and value your responses.
Hi...
I enjoyed reading that, but I feel the need to be honest in saying that I don't agree with it all.
Culture may be part of it.
I know we speak the same language, but I think in general, Australians and Americans view the world from a slightly different angle. No right or wrong... just a different view.
best wishes always
Ribbon
Gates is interesting, but I could re-work and re-word a lot of his thinking.
I guess that Canadians and Americans, while sharing a common border, have lots of thing they don't share.
I suppose, in the end, I would take Robert Fulghum over William Gates.
I've read this before, but thanks for posting it. Great advice, Bill!
Your words are so funny. Glad to have discovered your blog
Some serious stuff, but true, so true. Wonderful blog- I also appreciate the blog recommendations in an earlier post. I like it when people share thoughtful ideas. Oh, and thanks for visiting me on Scotland for the Senses!
i gave this to my bean to read a while ago... i hope it sunk in.
I am glad things weren't handed over to my children
(that happened out of necessity rather than some ingenious plan that was hatched). They are well-rounded students who work hard in everything they do.
I do feel for students who are conditioned to think they are all winners. Unfortunately, NCLB supports the notion they will all win. And while I wish they all would win, the simple truth is they can all be winners at something - but it all won't be academics (just as they all won't win at sports).
There is a lot of truth in these words and there is no doubt about it, previous generations have expected to work a lot harder than the current generation. My kids have a lot of expectations of how life should be and a lot of frustration when things dont turn out like they expect. But eventually increasing maturity helps our young adults to accept that certain actions and attitudes are going to help them succeed in life rather than unreal expectations and expecting someone else to do it all for you.
Depends on what mood i am in as to how much I agree. Today I very much agree. :D
I'll show this to my son when he gets back from school today. I've told him so many of these things, so it'll be good to reinforce them.
There was a great show on HBO (on the Bryant Gumbel sports show)about the "wussification" of America. If you get a chance to see a re-run, please do. I have a feeling you'll appreciate it.
All very good advice, I've not heard that before. Personally I agree on the TV one. I don't actually have a TV but I'm addicted to Friends... thanks!
I love this list. Full of wit, but truth, too!
Nerds rock!
there is so much truth in this.
I believe that there are three things in life that rule people's behaviour, namely, ego, expectations and money. One way or another we let one or all three govern our lives. This post is a great reminder to people of all ages.
Well, if anyone has the right to pontificate on this subject, then Bill Gates is surely the man to do so. However, I think it simply all boils down to the fact that you shape your own destiny. Destiny most certainly does NOT shape you.
Wow. I was just having a conversation with a middle school teacher about these very subjects at a party last night. This is a list to post on the refrigerator!
Like Natalie I guess my mood affects how much I agree. Perhaps someone should combine and re-work this and Robert Fulgham and see what they can come up with!
Rule 1: The longer I live, the more I realize it's true. Growing up in a third world country, I can list so many things we are deprived of. Sometimes, I find myself agreeing that the rich becomes richer and the poor becomes poorer.
But then again, we can't stop the rain by complaining. So let's just be happy and make the most with what we have. Carpe Diem!
I much admire Bill Gates for what he and his wife are doing at the moment - Using their wealth via their foundation to supervise improvements to others' lives... His words here certainly deserve to be shared, and amount to significant common sense...
Thank you, darling Rosaria.
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