Shameful?

[SarahAnne Hazlewood <sash@teleport.com>]

Roger A. Stephenson writes:
"To advocate self esteem above truth does a greater disservice to young
minds than gentle correction. In the words of Paul Simon, "no I would not
give you false hope", and self esteem built on inaccuracy is a house of
cards. This may be why I know of several people with college diplomas that
cannot work in their field(s) of study. Our (USA) educational system
ignores this fact, and continues to produce well educated factory workers.
Self esteem takes a massive blow when a degree holder cannot pay the bills
with that sheepskin. Is the education system as we know it responsible for
the accumulation of useful knowledge or ego enhancement? The idea that one
can do anything they choose, if they work hard enough, is shameful."
*************
OK.  I'll keep this brief so we can go back to the responses about
Dromeosaursidae dentia.  

Self-esteem does NOT equal lying.  Nor does a sense of personal worth equate
with "false hopes". 
        It appears that Roger wants more education, less self-esteem (as if
this were a multiple choice question), yet feels factory workers should not
be educated.  Or maybe the educated shouldn't be factory workers (Is that a
function of education? low self-esteem? high self-esteem?  how about the
economy?)   What's wrong with a well educated factory worker?  Heaven forbid!
        Most people end up working outside their field of study.  What does
this have to do with too much self-esteem?  Or too little truth?  Or some
combination thereof?
        There are many in history who have overcome enormous handicaps to do
what would have seemed impossible.  I do not advocate 'false hopes' nor
untruths, nor water down knowledge, but for you or I (or an elementary
school teacher or a college professor or an employer or a theologian) to
limit in any way the potential of another human being - THAT is shameful!

        In  Peace  -  SarahAnne