The last frame should have shown the students organizing a revolt, and the university administration caving in subserviently, as always. I'm sure Garry Trudeau could put a humorous spin on that, since he's so adept at doing this with other, much more dreadful nonsense. We all hope that self-of-steam is running out of steam, but like a dinosaur with a broken back (to mix a metaphor), it'll likely thrash around for a long time before it finally dies.
Classic! I'm grateful to Doonesbury for getting these ideas out into the larger culture (though I fear the point will fly straight over the head of many snowflake creators, enablers, who will assume it applies to someone else's kid).
@Frod: I believe that, in a more recent story line, Walden has started the process of going for-profit, so your scenario may yet come to pass (and the professor pictured certainly won't last long).
For years my boys went to sleep listening to the 1988 album "Free to Be a Family". In one story, Cinderella (Gilda Radner) was miserable, bored and unmotivated. Her stepmother (Jane Curtin) had been spoiling her (including writing her book reports) because of fear of being disliked. In stepped the Fairy Godmother, indelibly voiced by Bea Arthur, who assigned Cinderella some regular chores and said that the main thing she lacked was a challenge and the sense of pride that comes with accomplishing something difficult.
I loved that album; it was funny and also had great messages for kids and parents. Was 1988 before the self-esteem movement, or was this story already a reaction against it?
I remember hearing about "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies" in the mid-1980s and about self-esteem at the end of that decade, so I guess that, by 1988, that whole idea had already been established.
Okay, I'm intrigued. The nuns didn't tell us about "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies". Did these describe teachers? If so, they were all cold pricklies.
The last frame should have shown the students organizing a revolt, and the university administration caving in subserviently, as always. I'm sure Garry Trudeau could put a humorous spin on that, since he's so adept at doing this with other, much more dreadful nonsense. We all hope that self-of-steam is running out of steam, but like a dinosaur with a broken back (to mix a metaphor), it'll likely thrash around for a long time before it finally dies.
ReplyDeleteYes, the last frame is a non sequitur and a non laugher. I like your ending better.
DeleteClassic! I'm grateful to Doonesbury for getting these ideas out into the larger culture (though I fear the point will fly straight over the head of many snowflake creators, enablers, who will assume it applies to someone else's kid).
ReplyDelete@Frod: I believe that, in a more recent story line, Walden has started the process of going for-profit, so your scenario may yet come to pass (and the professor pictured certainly won't last long).
For years my boys went to sleep listening to the 1988 album "Free to Be a Family". In one story, Cinderella (Gilda Radner) was miserable, bored and unmotivated. Her stepmother (Jane Curtin) had been spoiling her (including writing her book reports) because of fear of being disliked. In stepped the Fairy Godmother, indelibly voiced by Bea Arthur, who assigned Cinderella some regular chores and said that the main thing she lacked was a challenge and the sense of pride that comes with accomplishing something difficult.
DeleteI loved that album; it was funny and also had great messages for kids and parents. Was 1988 before the self-esteem movement, or was this story already a reaction against it?
I remember hearing about "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies" in the mid-1980s and about self-esteem at the end of that decade, so I guess that, by 1988, that whole idea had already been established.
Delete"Warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies" have been around since the late ''70s. I remember them from elementary school.
DeleteOkay, I'm intrigued. The nuns didn't tell us about "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies". Did these describe teachers? If so, they were all cold pricklies.
Delete