Oh man, I remember reading that Top Secret book when I was a kid! I actually think about it from time to time (though I had completely forgotten the title). I found the ending unconvincingly conspiratorial, but if I'm still thinking about it 25 years later, it must've done something right.
From the header of the NPR interview "[b]ut is that the right move? Proponents call into question the efficacy and inequity of standardized tests, pointing to high-profile college admission scandals..."
Which admission scandal are they gesturing in the general direction of, I wonder. The one where people bribed coaches to pretend they were athletic recruits for a sport they didn't play? How, exactly, is that a criticism of standardized tests? Or the one where some students cheated on the standardized test because, apparently, their financial privilege was't enough to get the score they needed, thereby demonstrating the utility of the standardized test?
Would this argument be made about any other testing regime? Say, prospective stockbrokers cheating on the Series 7 exam (happens every year). Can you imagine any federal bureaucracy's response to that being to openly ponder whether that doesn't just prove the test is inequitable and should be replaced?
Of course, the debate itself was equally disappointing with the person taking the opposite side of Freddie's argument, asserting, without evidence, that standardized tests are poor predictors of academic ability/success, while simultaneously maintaining that GPA is a better predictor and ignoring that GPA needs to be "interpreted."
From Lillia Gajewksi's comment of the week: "moderation"/censorship will always and without exception be used as a political weapon or a weapon to control the masses for the interests of the elite.
Anyone interested in debating this? I think it's obviously wrong. For an on-point example, these comments are moderated. Is that moderation being used as "a weapon to control the masses for the interests of the elite"? I doubt Freddie would agree that this is what he's doing here when he sets boundaries on accpetable topics for discussion, and on the level of politeness.
A powerful technique of true censorship is "flooding the zone with shit", which is what seems to happen to any unmoderated space sooner or later.
I noticed your book was displayed during David Shor's Dem-Fest party. Thought it was funny that the quote from the Intercept reporter attending was "I don't like him."
Your post on the Ringer mentioned an affinity for Jonathan Tjarks. Did you see the terribly sad news of his passing? Ethan Strauss just rereleased his chat with Jon a year ago. Well worth a listen.
Freddie - great call on the Bears game on Sunday! You were right about opening day weirdness. Too bad that Soldier Field's days are numbered, because that's great football in the weather.
I couldn't help but notice the connection of the writer's last name of the book (you recommended) with the subject matter of the book.
Oh man, I remember reading that Top Secret book when I was a kid! I actually think about it from time to time (though I had completely forgotten the title). I found the ending unconvincingly conspiratorial, but if I'm still thinking about it 25 years later, it must've done something right.
From the header of the NPR interview "[b]ut is that the right move? Proponents call into question the efficacy and inequity of standardized tests, pointing to high-profile college admission scandals..."
Which admission scandal are they gesturing in the general direction of, I wonder. The one where people bribed coaches to pretend they were athletic recruits for a sport they didn't play? How, exactly, is that a criticism of standardized tests? Or the one where some students cheated on the standardized test because, apparently, their financial privilege was't enough to get the score they needed, thereby demonstrating the utility of the standardized test?
Would this argument be made about any other testing regime? Say, prospective stockbrokers cheating on the Series 7 exam (happens every year). Can you imagine any federal bureaucracy's response to that being to openly ponder whether that doesn't just prove the test is inequitable and should be replaced?
Of course, the debate itself was equally disappointing with the person taking the opposite side of Freddie's argument, asserting, without evidence, that standardized tests are poor predictors of academic ability/success, while simultaneously maintaining that GPA is a better predictor and ignoring that GPA needs to be "interpreted."
From Lillia Gajewksi's comment of the week: "moderation"/censorship will always and without exception be used as a political weapon or a weapon to control the masses for the interests of the elite.
Anyone interested in debating this? I think it's obviously wrong. For an on-point example, these comments are moderated. Is that moderation being used as "a weapon to control the masses for the interests of the elite"? I doubt Freddie would agree that this is what he's doing here when he sets boundaries on accpetable topics for discussion, and on the level of politeness.
A powerful technique of true censorship is "flooding the zone with shit", which is what seems to happen to any unmoderated space sooner or later.
BLACKPINK?? I am surprised and delighted that you are a fan!
The BLACKPINK video and then "Why Culture Sucks?"... did you put those two next to each other on purpose?
I noticed your book was displayed during David Shor's Dem-Fest party. Thought it was funny that the quote from the Intercept reporter attending was "I don't like him."
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/style/david-shor-democrats.html
Your post on the Ringer mentioned an affinity for Jonathan Tjarks. Did you see the terribly sad news of his passing? Ethan Strauss just rereleased his chat with Jon a year ago. Well worth a listen.
Freddie - great call on the Bears game on Sunday! You were right about opening day weirdness. Too bad that Soldier Field's days are numbered, because that's great football in the weather.
Can we all agree that Nolite Fairytale was the absolute worst Vanessa Carlton album?