Andy Rowell

Category: Parenting

  • The alumni advantage at Harvard in college admissions

     

    Richard Tofel summarizes: Harvard accepts alumni children at a rate almost four times that of others. More than 20% of white students there are such “legacies.” And more than 16% of Harvard’s white students are admitted as athletes. Another side of the “affirmative action” debate. https://twitter.com/dicktofel/status/1016987598252838912 

     

    How the Fight Against Affirmative Action at Harvard Could Threaten Rich Whites
    If preferences for black and Hispanic applicants are abolished, expect a backlash against admissions boosts for children of alumni and donors.
    by Daniel Golden July 11

    https://www.propublica.org/article/affirmative-action-how-the-fight-against-at-harvard-could-threaten-rich-whites

     

     

    ‘Lopping,’ ‘Tips’ and the ‘Z-List’: Bias Lawsuit Explores Harvard’s Admissions Secrets
    The admissions office at Harvard. A lawsuit against the university has illuminated little-known aspects of its selection process.

    The New York Times
    By Anemona Hartocollis, Amy Harmon and Mitch Smith
    July 29, 2018

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/29/us/harvard-admissions-asian-americans.html

  • On Jordan Peterson

     

    38% through Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life. Positively, it is fun to listen to. Negatively, you could get the good parts from Christian sermons. Rule 1 is icky– promoting seeking ability to dominate. Contradicts good material in Rule 5 on parenting that helps kids socially.

     

    Now in Rule 7 Jordan Peterson is condemning domination as wrong. He also rightly slams expediency. He rightly argues that Christianity has brought about a much more moral world, which many people are oblivious about.

     

    Jordan Peterson's analysis at the end of Rule 7 of the valid criticism of unworldly and passive religious Christianity by people from the outside like Nietzsche and the inside like Dostoevsky is well done.

     

    When Jordan Peterson says that it is psychologically far-fetched to invent your own values as Nietzsche suggests, this is similar to what Stanley Hauerwas says about modernity producing people "who believe that they should have no story except the story that they choose."

     

    Again, Jordan Peterson is correct to see the reality of evil as the human problem that must be countenanced. He's also right to point to Carl Jung saying that the pinnacle of someone's moral hierarchy is effectively their God.

     

    I finished listening to Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life. As a Christian, I optimistically hope his work might be a catalyst to people discovering the wisdom of Jesus. I still think his first chapter is the most dangerous as it almost implies the good of domination.

     

    As with any best-selling author or speaker, it is stimulating to think about their communication style and appeal. Jordan Peterson uses earnestness, personal stories, dictums, and psychological data. I find his use of archetypes and metaphor not as effective as a good preacher.

    https://twitter.com/AndyRowell/status/1010261961274249217

  • John Dickerson – competent and yes, a Christian, and yes, also a wise parent it seems

    I was struck by John Dickerson's wisdom and competency on Face the Nation. I heard others praised him for his handling of the Democratic debate – joking that he is who they wanted to vote for. Sure enough, he's a Christian–attends Mass on Saturday night since his job is to host a Sunday morning Sunday show. I thought he was also on target in his comments about trying to parent and guide your children during the everyday stuff of life. 

     

    "A lot of parenting happens by osmosis … Going to church helps too. I go to mass" @johndickerson of @FaceTheNation http://parade.com/434227/kmccleary/sunday-with-john-dickerson/ …

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