May 6th, 2014 → 7:57 am @ Lea // No Comments

“Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity:
O that estates, degrees, and offices,
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!”  – Merchant of Venice

I heard about this commencement speech recently, where the speaker told the graduating students that they were not special.  I understand what he was trying to do, and I do think a lot of kids feel entitled nowadays, but in the end I disagree with this approach.  You should teach people with carrots, not sticks.  Make them feel good, but make them feel good about others as well.  Making people feel bad or unimportant is not the best pedagogical approach, in my opinion.