Social Engineering

[basilio]

On the subject of youth suicide, I heard of a school in Melbourne who had a number of students who actually took their own lives because they couldn't achieve the academic results that their parents wanted.

I wonder where there this sort of thing is discussed in the "Safe Schools" program ?

I know of at least one top Melborne private school that has around one suicide a yearat VCE levels related to academic presssure largely from the school and, I assume, parents as well. It would be interesting to see what the effects of the very high expectations are on the rest of the school community.

Re. whether this would be discussed in the "Safe Schools" program. Couple of obvious responses.

1) The Safe School program was established to open the conversation about non straight sexuality and "different "children. It's intention is to reduce bullying and disrespect for students who don't fit the mold.
2) Which top achieving Private Schools want to open a public conversation on the consequences of their drive to achieve the best academic results ? Who wants to open that can of worms. ?

On the topic of how Private Schools keep up the excellent results check out this story. I can guarantee the same process happens in Melbourne schools. It's one of dirtiest secrets of the Private school system. Certainly a very effective way of social engineering.

Schools around England ejecting 'underperforming' sixth-formers
Testimony from parents and students suggests St Olave’s grammar school is just one of many institutions ‘weeding out’ students



St Olave’s grammar school in Orpington. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA


Sally Weale and Carmen Fishwick

Wednesday 30 August 2017 19.58 BST First published on Wednesday 30 August 2017 13.08 BST

Dozens of parents and pupils have contacted the Guardian complaining that schools in different areas of the country are ejecting sixth form students half way through their two-year A-level course after failing to achieve sufficiently high grades.

Some of the schools identified are in areas where there are a high number of grammar schools, including Kent, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire, though non-selective schools elsewhere are also implicated.

The testimony from parents and students suggests the practice is widespread, and is having a detrimental effect on students. One student who lost their sixth form place last year described the “trauma and a feeling of not being good enough from being kicked out of your own school”.

They were responding to a Guardian callout following exclusive revelations that a leading state grammar school, St Olave’s in Orpington in the London borough of Bromley, is facing legal action from parents after their children were told their places were being withdrawn after they failed to get sufficiently good grades at the end of year 12.

Following the Guardian’s reports, MPs across the political spectrum expressed concern about the practice and its impact on students. Orpington’s Conservative MP, Jo Johnson, said he had raised the issue with the education minister as well as the head of St Olave’s.

“St Olave’s is a highly selective school and I obviously have no problem with having a GCSE entry requirement for a sixth form – but once pupils are in on that basis, it is surely for the school to push them to do well, not to throw them out (unless their behaviour is bad).

In their words: a former St Olaves’ student, who asked to remain anonymous

“I didn’t get the minimum three Bs. They told me to speak to the assistant head. At that point I was worrying. They told me I’d have to sign a contract if I wanted to be able to continue into year 13. The contract said that the school would have the right to instantly kick me out at any point in year 13 if my performance dropped below a B grade, and I’d be closely monitored.


“I left in tears, partly because of the grades and partly due to the utter lack of humanity and sympathy that was shown to me. Mental health wise, there’s so much stress on people, you can see it in some people’s faces. They’re weighed down. Some of the teachers do try to sympathise.


“No wonder the school is near the top of the league tables. The headmaster needs to realise that the school would be nothing without the pupils. If you only take in academically brilliant students then it’s obviously going to ensure your grades and stats are good. If a school takes you on, it’s their duty to take you through the years until the end no matter what your result.”

https://www.theguardian.com/educati...ack-ejection-of-underperforming-sixth-formers
https://www.theguardian.com/educati...berg-in-a-system-all-about-delivering-results
https://www.theguardian.com/educati...eak-students-are-treated-as-collateral-damage

 

[SirRumpole]

Schools around England ejecting 'underperforming' sixth-formers

Indeed, it's well known that a lot of top private schools in the country adopt this sort of practise.

Can't have the riff raff dragging down the school's name can we ?

 

[Wysiwyg]

I wonder where there this sort of thing is discussed in the "Safe Schools" program ?

According to the website they are focused on LGBTI issues. The focus for "Safer Schools" must include all facets of psychological/physical bullying and mental health issues.

 

[Tisme]

I know of at least one top Melborne private school that has around one suicide a yearat VCE levels related to academic presssure largely from the school and, I assume, parents as well. It would be interesting to see what the effects of the very high expectations are on the rest of the school community.

Re. whether this would be discussed in the "Safe Schools" program. Couple of obvious responses.

1) The Safe School program was established to open the conversation about non straight sexuality and "different "children. It's intention is to reduce bullying and disrespect for students who don't fit the mold.
2) Which top achieving Private Schools want to open a public conversation on the consequences of their drive to achieve the best academic results ? Who wants to open that can of worms. ?

On the topic of how Private Schools keep up the excellent results check out this story. I can guarantee the same process happens in Melbourne schools. It's one of dirtiest secrets of the Private school system. Certainly a very effective way of social engineering.

Schools around England ejecting 'underperforming' sixth-formers
Testimony from parents and students suggests St Olave’s grammar school is just one of many institutions ‘weeding out’ students



St Olave’s grammar school in Orpington. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA


Sally Weale and Carmen Fishwick

Wednesday 30 August 2017 19.58 BST First published on Wednesday 30 August 2017 13.08 BST

Dozens of parents and pupils have contacted the Guardian complaining that schools in different areas of the country are ejecting sixth form students half way through their two-year A-level course after failing to achieve sufficiently high grades.

Some of the schools identified are in areas where there are a high number of grammar schools, including Kent, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire, though non-selective schools elsewhere are also implicated.

The testimony from parents and students suggests the practice is widespread, and is having a detrimental effect on students. One student who lost their sixth form place last year described the “trauma and a feeling of not being good enough from being kicked out of your own school”.

They were responding to a Guardian callout following exclusive revelations that a leading state grammar school, St Olave’s in Orpington in the London borough of Bromley, is facing legal action from parents after their children were told their places were being withdrawn after they failed to get sufficiently good grades at the end of year 12.

Following the Guardian’s reports, MPs across the political spectrum expressed concern about the practice and its impact on students. Orpington’s Conservative MP, Jo Johnson, said he had raised the issue with the education minister as well as the head of St Olave’s.

“St Olave’s is a highly selective school and I obviously have no problem with having a GCSE entry requirement for a sixth form – but once pupils are in on that basis, it is surely for the school to push them to do well, not to throw them out (unless their behaviour is bad).

In their words: a former St Olaves’ student, who asked to remain anonymous

“I didn’t get the minimum three Bs. They told me to speak to the assistant head. At that point I was worrying. They told me I’d have to sign a contract if I wanted to be able to continue into year 13. The contract said that the school would have the right to instantly kick me out at any point in year 13 if my performance dropped below a B grade, and I’d be closely monitored.


“I left in tears, partly because of the grades and partly due to the utter lack of humanity and sympathy that was shown to me. Mental health wise, there’s so much stress on people, you can see it in some people’s faces. They’re weighed down. Some of the teachers do try to sympathise.


“No wonder the school is near the top of the league tables. The headmaster needs to realise that the school would be nothing without the pupils. If you only take in academically brilliant students then it’s obviously going to ensure your grades and stats are good. If a school takes you on, it’s their duty to take you through the years until the end no matter what your result.”

https://www.theguardian.com/educati...ack-ejection-of-underperforming-sixth-formers
https://www.theguardian.com/educati...berg-in-a-system-all-about-delivering-results
https://www.theguardian.com/educati...eak-students-are-treated-as-collateral-damage

The public high school principals do that here in Queensland to keep the OP levels up and thus funding and prestige. Turn 17 and out on the street without even a high school certificate = generational social security and poverty

 

[basilio]

At last men are joining our conversation about toxic masculinity
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Yes, the likes of Chris Hemmings and Robert Webb are now seeing the truth of what feminists have been saying for decades. But it’s a relief to have them onside


In Be A Man, Chris Hemmings deconstructs the strict gender roles that men are expected to inhabit. Photograph: Alamy

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@rhiannonlucyc

Wednesday 6 September 2017 09.00 BST Last modified on Wednesday 6 September 2017 12.30 BST

Chris Hemmings used to be a lad. He was, all in all, the sort of lad that I – and no doubt many other young women – would have avoided at university. We know the type well. Part of a rugby club that rejoiced in the objectification and humiliation of women, these lads would throw full pints in their female classmates’ faces, or choose them as victims for their game of “hot leg” (where you piss down a girl’s leg as she is dancing with you, holding on to her so she cannot move away, as your friends leer and hers, presumably, stand horrified and powerless). Hemmings never did “hot leg” himself but he did, he says, egg on others. When he looks back on those years, he is disgusted with himself.

Hemmings was on the frontline of what the media called “lad culture”. Now he has written a book, Be a Man, about toxic masculinity, deconstructing and lamenting the strict gender roles that men are expected to inhabit – roles that, largely, seem to make them unhappy. It comes in the wake of books on manhood by Robert Webb and Grayson Perry. Feminists should be pleased, though no doubt some are bemused and irritated that this – the idea that patriarchy is bad for all of us – is what they have been saying for decades: but instead of praise they have received rape and death threats.

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...-toxic-masculinity-chris-hemmings-robert-webb

 

[Tisme]

Familiar method/style of open discussion?

 

[Logique]

Trust a Greens MP to come up with this in NSW.

Lie through your teeth at the interview about being pregnant, then run to the Anti-Discrimination board when you're found it!

This is the new gender equality, Greens style.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/work...ination-during-pregnancy-20170906-gybu6t.html
A legal exemption that allows employers to refuse to hire someone who knew they were pregnant when they applied for the job is being targeted for abolition.

Two subsections in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 allow employers to dismiss women who knew they were pregnant when they applied for a job.

..NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for the status of women, Mehreen Faruqi, will introduce a new bill to Parliament to repeal the sections..

 

[basilio]

What does it mean "To be a Man ?" or "To be a Woman" ? I posted the article on Chris Hemmings discussing his shame at his behaviour towards women when he was a young rubgy player. Clemintine Ford takes this conversation further.

Food for thought.

Clementine Ford: Why is challenging gender norms still seen as a radical act?

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  Clementine Ford

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If you weren't convinced of the mass social compulsion to assign gender to things before you had children, you should certainly be aware of it after they enter your life. From the moment a pregnancy is announced, the question of whether the still-forming fetus is a girl or a boy is often foremost in people's minds.

Parents who choose to reveal the sex of their baby can be assured of a swag of gifts that accord with ideas of boyhood and girlhood. The former is dominated by khaki, navy blue and rich red, with cars, trucks and other modes of transportation often acting as motifs. The latter invites splashes of pink and purple, this time with emblems of butterflies, fairies and princesses.

.....Primary school students on the Isle of Wight were recently the subject of a BBC documentary exploring the benefits of making a classroom gender neutral. The class of 23 seven-year-olds spent a term in a gender neutral environment, with statements like "boys are caring" and "girls are strong" hung on the wall alongside statements affirming that all students "can be anything".

One teacher was asked to retire his use of the terms "sweet pea" for girls and "mate" for boys, and noted his own personal development following the conclusion of the experiment. That same teacher now believes "gender neutrality is something we need to look at as a country and somehow get into the curriculum".

The experiment's architect, Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, says it is about "giving children a full development so they can achieve absolutely anything they want.

"I'd challenge any sane and sensible adult to say we don't want that."

And yet there are plenty of adults who maintain a weird kind of terror around gender expression in kids. A face painter recently went viral with a thread on Twitter as she outlined what she saw as a contributing cause of male violence in America. She recounted an interaction with a four-year-old boy who had asked for a butterfly to be painted on his face. His mother denied his request, insisting instead that he get something "for boys". The mother then turned to the boy's father, "a big guy in a jersey", and had him confirm that he didn't want his son having a butterfly on his face.

The boy's parents taught him that day to associate shame with anything considered feminine and to apply that shame to himself for wanting it. He ended up miserable, with a skull and crossbones in place of the butterfly he had wanted.

When I read stories about little boys who have their softness and love for beautiful things shamed out of them by parents ruled by their own fear, my heart breaks.

This is why it's so important to break down rigid learning around what gender is and isn't supposed to be. It's why the choice of clothing distributors (like Britain's John Lewis this week) to remove gender labels from their products is so important, and why we should also condemn the decision of schools such as Bendigo's Girton Grammar to teach their girl students how to walk in high heels to prepare them for "life after school".

Because what does it really mean, this insistence that we let "boys be boys" and "girls be girls"?

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/lif...ll-seen-as-a-radical-act-20170905-gyb6r7.html

 

[basilio]

For those who are interested in why people have joined The Greens and the type of society they envisage Senator Janet Rice maiden speech is a good read.

First Speech in Parliament of Senator Janet Rice

https://greensmps.org.au/articles/first-speech-parliament-senator-janet-rice

 

[basilio]

What could our society look like if children could be born in artificial wombs? We are getting very close to this situation. This article and the book it is based on explores some implications.

Artificial wombs could soon be a reality. What will this mean for women?
Technology is well on the way to realising ectogenesis, improving premature baby survival and increasing fertility options. But it also has other, more frightening, implications.


The biobag artifical womb is intended to improve the survival rates of premature babies. Photograph: Jellyfish Pictures/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RM

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Helen Sedgwick

Monday 4 September 2017 16.53 BST Last modified on Monday 4 September 2017 22.00 BST

We are approaching a biotechnological breakthrough. Ectogenesis, the invention of a complete external womb, could completely change the nature of human reproduction. In April this year, researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia announced their development of an artificial womb. The “biobag” is intended to improve the survival rates of premature babies and is a significant step forward from conventional incubators. Their results show that lambs (at the equivalent of a premature human foetus of 22-24 weeks) are able to successfully grow in the biobag, with the oldest lamb now more than one year old.

Researchers at Cambridge University, meanwhile, have also kept a human embryo alive outside the body for 13 days using a mix of nutrients that mimic conditions in the womb. The embryo survived several days longer than previously observed and research only stopped because they were approaching the 14-day legal limit for the length of time an embryo can be kept in a lab. In other words, our ethics rather than our technology are now the limiting factor.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/04/artifical-womb-women-ectogenesis-baby-fertility

 

[SirRumpole]

our ethics rather than our technology are now the limiting factor.

May the Almighty save us (if there is one).

 

[Tisme]

May the Almighty save us (if there is one).

I think someone better come up with one ..stat!

 

[basilio]

Talking about Social Engineeering let's have a look at how the behaviour of the elite in our society is formed and protected. And at the consequences of this socialisation.

How shocking sexism becomes normal in 'elite' environments

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  Jane Gilmore
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Anyone following the recent spate of stories about sexual harassment and exploitation of girls in Australia's elite schools and universities might find Tuesday's allegations of "a toxic culture of harassment and predatory behaviour" at Macquarie Group eerily familiar.

Up-skirting, "alpha-male culture", "predatory behaviour towards a female staff member" and stalking are among the claims made in a letter from lawyers planning a class action against the investment bank.


Allegations included a claim a former stockbroker cut off a woman's ponytail at the office. Photo: Simone Becchetti/Stocksy
An ex-Macquarie staffer claimed a former stockbroker cut off a woman's ponytail at the office. "He put the hair on her desk, right in front of her. She was so shocked she didn't say anything," they said. Complaints were made but no action was taken.

The Macquarie Group told Fairfax Media that it takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and denied that any current staff members were involved in any of the allegations.

Related Articles

• Macquarie staff 'victims of upskirting, predatory behaviour'
• A twisted version of masculinity breeds sexual abusers

It's difficult to imagine a modern workplace where men could assault women and it's not just seen as normal behaviour, but a "funny story" to tell around the office. But perhaps looking at the path these men take to get to such positions might explain how it might happen

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/lif...al-in-elite-environments-20170905-gybky9.html

 

[basilio]

And social engineering again in our elite private schools
The epidemic of rape culture in schools can no longer be ignored
...
A secret Facebook group known as 'Blokes Advice' was also recently closed after leaks from within revealed some users were, again, posting naked photographs of women without their consent – and in some cases, encouraging each other to bombard the victims with further harassment. Additionally, screenshots showed some members gleefully joking with each other about rape and paedophilia.


We are approaching a crisis point with the way masculinity is constructed and excused, particularly the burgeoning kind that is formed in school playgrounds and the hallways of cyberspace.


When punished for this behaviour, these boys and men (and their supporters, of which there are sadly many) claim their actions were taken in good humour and not abuse. How dare they be accused of violence – these things are jokes. And besides, if those girls didn't want their photographs paraded around for men to laugh at and use to vilify them, they shouldn't have taken them in the first place.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/lif...can-no-longer-be-ignored-20160817-gquv53.html

 

[SirRumpole]

It's difficult to imagine a modern workplace where men could assault women and it's not just seen as normal behaviour, but a "funny story" to tell around the office. But perhaps looking at the path these men take to get to such positions might explain how it might happen

Would be interesting to see a breakdown of abusers by all-male or co-ed schools.

I think it's a sexual deprivation factor that causes boys to fantasize rather than actually talking to girls from an early age.

 

[satanoperca]

And besides, if those girls didn't want their photographs paraded around for men to laugh at and use to vilify them, they shouldn't have taken them in the first place.

This statement by the author I have great issues with, it is just not that simple. The word "girls" and not mature adults gives it away.

The teenage years are hard to navigate for the best of people, we all made mistakes, blame is not the answer.

The real issue today is lack of accountability via the internet which provides in many cases to much anonymity.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Would be interesting to see a breakdown of abusers by all-male or co-ed schools.

I think it's a sexual deprivation factor that causes boys to fantasize rather than actually talking to girls from an early age.

Rumpole, you do overgeneralize.

I went to a Christian Brothers School and had quite a healthy sexual interaction with the local Convent school girls. Oh to be young again.

gg

 

[Tisme]

This statement by the author I have great issues with, it is just not that simple. The word "girls" and not mature adults gives it away.

The teenage years are hard to navigate for the best of people, we all made mistakes, blame is not the answer.

The real issue today is lack of accountability via the internet which provides in many cases to much anonymity.

The argument those filth who gang raped a girl then cited Koran and "she was asking for it" because she wasn't wearing to to toe Arab wear is finding its way into mainstream oz culture.... another one for the Bolsheviks

 

[Tisme]

I wonder what social manipulation restraints are placed on auditors of social manipulation programs? The ABS is obviously constrained, even Facebook edits posts they deem contrary to the prevailing engineering, microsoft resists al govt interference of privacy .......

 

[moXJO]

Toxic masculinity, rape culture and the rest of the gender neutral crap is a long line of bs blame forced on young men.
Sweden is the perfect example of failure of enforcing gender neutral policy.

Young men are not happier being feminized. The fact clem ford and other feminists think they know what men think or feel, along with lumping all men into the rapist mindset- speaks volumes.

Schools are failing young men and if anything, are causing sexism to become worse.

Lad culture doesn't just target women... it targets everyone. And its not as prevalent as its made out to be. "Rape culture" has been hysterically blasted out across the land as hardcore fact. Abuse and peoples entitlement mentality does not discriminate between either sex.

Feminist ignore the mental health of a lot of rapists and abusers. These guys are sick fcuks rather than toxic masculinity having anything to do with it. The same sick fcuks that rape those weaker in jail.
Want it to reduce?
Then target $hit parenting. Ensure education and a decent environment.
But na lets just blame men and do nothing but whinge about it.

Pushing 'toxic' white feminism from hate filled delusional social media saps- above fostering an equal rights mindset will only make it worse.
Respect for others wellbeing and rights will go further then the crap being preached from some of the 30 something yo white chicks on social media.

Women should have the same rights and treated with respect. But if anyone isn't up to the physical demands of a job then society shouldn't be weakened by set quotas or lower standards.