[Platt] You can't put dumbing down aside in comparing SAT and other like scores from one generation to the next.
[Krimel] As far as I know the SATs are more difficult now than they were in the past. When I took it there was only the math and science portion. I believe they have added two additional sections to the test since then including a writing sample. I seem to recall accusations of cultural bias in the '70s as people became more aware of such things. I believe that the sort of charge you make surfaced then. But I don't think those charges were well informed then or now. In any case you should expect generational difference in longitudinal studies. They were clear in the example you provided. Maybe you could provide an example of this dumbing down of which you speak. [Platt] Not bad. Glad to see I have made myself reasonably clear. But instead of the term "pollsters" which suggests that only companies like Gallup can determine depth of consciousness, I would prefer the word "surveys." [Krimel] You thing a people's depth of consciousness can be measured through opinion polls? Then why would anyone criticize a politician for attending to them? [Platt] Also, I would say that depth of consciousness consists of cultural literacy instead of "entirely of specific facts" because the latter suggests mere rote recitation rather than understanding. [Krimel] So now it's understanding facts about culture that matters. Which culture should we test to measure depth of consciousness? The culture we see in sitcoms? The culture we see in our schools; in our communities; the culture of dead white men. How do you test understanding of culture between California and Nebraska? [Platt] Do you really believe there's a possibility you won't die? What about the probability that you were born and that the cause was, well, you know ... ? [Krimel] I think there is a high degree of probability that I will die. The odds against are like one in billions but you never can tell. The probability that I was born is determined largely by the present. Again there is a probability against it that I would recon in trillions to one. I don't see the payoff in playing odds like that. As for the cause? That's up for grabs. My dad used to lament that it was because The Pill had not been invented at the time. My mom used to act like he was kidding but she never effectively denied it. Do you believe absolutely that you were born and will die? moq_discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
