Let the brainwashing begin

[mikesilvia]

A day doesn't go by where I don't see a news article about a kid being forced to watch an Inconvenient Truth. It is not recommended, but required viewing to get a grade. In many instances, you MUST write a paper on it. Now I read an article where a kid has been forced to watch it 4 times this year! Personally, I would have no problem with it if teacher allowed the other side. You know those MIT, NASA and other experts that disagree with Al Gore. But since Al Gore took a science class in high school he knows more.

First it was his world history class. Then he saw it in his economics class. And his world issues class. And his environment class. In total, 18-year-old McKenzie, a Northern Ontario high schooler, says he has had the film An Inconvenient Truth shown to him by four different teachers this year.

"I really don't understand why they keep showing it," says McKenzie (his parents asked that his last name not be used). "I've spoken to the principal about it, and he said that teachers are instructed to present it as a debate. But every time we've seen it, well, one teacher said this is basically a two-sided debate, but this movie really gives you the best idea of what's going on."

McKenzie says he has educated himself enough about both sides of the climate- change controversy to know that the Al Gore movie is too one-sided to be taught as fact. Even scientists who back Mr. Gore's message admit they're uncomfortable with liberties the politician takes with "science" in the film. But, McKenzie says most of his classmates are credulous. His teachers are not much more discerning. "They don't know there's another side to the argument," he says. McKenzie's mother was outraged to find out that Mr. Gore's film was being presented as fact in her son's classroom. "This is just being poured into kids' brains instead of letting them know there's a debate going on," she says. "An educational system falls down when they start taking one side."

Read the rest here.

This is brainwashing at its worst. If you repeat something enough, kids grow up thinking it is 100% the truth if not exposed to the other side. I thought teachers were supposed to show both sides and let students decide, especially in politics and other subjects that effect our lives.

[chljoe]

I understand watching the movie and then writing a paper on it, I mean you read a novel and write a paper on it, really no difference. However, if they are made to write supporting the ideas presented in the film, then that is a problem. Also, if they are actually debating the film then that is okay too, but they should not present it as fact and the only side of the debate.

[mikesilvia]

I have a problem showing a movie as fact, when it isn't. The movie is opinion with some supporting facts. MIT and NASA scientists have shot holes in this movie.

[chljoe]

I have yet to see the whole thing, so I don't know what all is presented in the film.

[abnascar22]

Oh please, I've had to write papers on movies I didn't like in school. This is no different. It's just a movie, you can take it for whatever you want.

[ashley832]

At my school they had a thing after school one day that anyone that wanted to watch it could but they didnt make anyone watch it. Mom has the DVD but I've never watched it..I actually think I'm the only one in the family that hasnt. lol

Ashley=)

[Shayne1911]

I've seen it. I thought it was pretty good.

[mikesilvia]

Oh please, I've had to write papers on movies I didn't like in school. This is no different. It's just a movie, you can take it for whatever you want.

So, no problem showing it 4 times in 4 different classes? That's called brainwashing. I can't remember EVER watching a single movie 4 times in a single year, even by choice. There is a clear agenda.

[abnascar22]

So, no problem showing it 4 times in 4 different classes? That's called brainwashing. I can't remember EVER watching a single movie 4 times in a single year, even by choice. There is a clear agenda.

So what? You know what my required reading was in American History in my first year of college? Howard Zinn's 'The People's History of the United States'. Now, if you want to talk about a different view of the world as I had known it, that is it. All the history texts I had ever been given through school always showed the positive side to U.S. politics in war, that changed with this book.

You know what? I'm GLAD I had to read it because it did provide me with a different view. You can't live in a bubble and it's good to see other views than your own, because you just might be wrong. You go to college to become enlightened and informed. Some of the things you learn, you may not like, but it's good to know.

[chljoe]

I wouldn't call it brainwashing. He watched one movie, once in 4 different classes. A little more than he probably cared for I'm sure, but I wonder how many other students sat through it more than once or was he the only lucky one. If he was made to watch it twice in one class, or Al Gore agendas was pushed within the class after viewing the movie, then there is an issue. I think the popularity, whether you think it is good or bad, has caused this to become a forefront issue.