What I am talking about is Charles Sykes, 50 rules you won't learn in school. I guess there is a hint of truth to some of these, but he comes across as such an asshole.
www.parentbooksummaries.com/the-real-world/Here are a few examples.
"1. Life is not fair. Get used to it."
I hate this expression. Life isn't fair so we should just give up trying to make it better? That's how it always comes across to me. It's such a defeatist statement and is even more infuriating when used to discourage those trying to improve things.
"2. The real world won’t care as much as your school does about your self-esteem. It’ll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself."
I hate the phrase "real world", especially in this context. Again, this sounds like a jerkass justification. Just because people in the "real world" may be uncompassionate jerks doesn't mean we should be. Self esteem is important, otherwise there will be no motivation to do anything.
This just sounds like a justification to put others down for being less successful or fortunate.
"4. You are not entitled…
I despise the word "entitled" or "entitlement". I think we deserve to have a sense of entitlement. We are entitled to a better life, and better things. It's only bad when we think we are entitled at the cost of others. But everytime I hear people complaining about "entitlement", they want to screw the poor out of things.
And some of these are just mean spirited.
"5. No matter what your daddy says, you are not a princess…
7. If you think our teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He won’t have tenre, so he’ll tend to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he’s not going to ask you how you FEEL about it.
9. Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn’t.
11. After you graduate, you won’t be competing against rivals who were raised to be wimps on the playground.
12. Humiliation is a part of life. Deal with it.
22. You are not a victim. So stop whining."
"Wimps on the playground" who says that?
Occasionally, he'll have a good point.
"30. Zero tolerance = zero common sense."
I completely agree with him here, but those good points are a rariety in a sea of assholery.
His entire philosophy can be summed up in 3 words "Deal with it". No compassion, no sympathy, just "deal with it". I hate these kind of people. They think they are "brutally honest", but they are really just assholes who want an excuse to pick on those they see as inferior. At least that's what I get from his "rules".
