What Happened To The Education System? - Dr. Phil

What’s Happening in Mainstream Academia? (00:00:00)

• A study in Illinois revealed that 53 public schools, primarily attended by Black students, had a zero percent pass rate on the state math proficiency test.
• Over 30% of fifth and eighth graders nationwide lack basic reading skills but are still promoted to the next grade.
• Many school systems waste millions of dollars on ineffective teaching programs that lack empirical evidence of their effectiveness.
• The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent school closures have created unaddressed gaps in students' mental, emotional, developmental, social, and educational well-being.
• Keeping schools closed during the pandemic was a poor decision that resulted in students falling behind and becoming demotivated.
• The current education system is inadequate and needs improvement to prevent the younger generation from falling behind and facing lifelong consequences.

The Unintended Consequences of Technology (00:06:03)

• The current state of society is not a result of natural evolution but rather a deliberate design to undermine society and the family unit.
• The advent of the internet and smartphones has significantly changed the human race, comparable to the impact of the Industrial Revolution.
• Social media companies use algorithms to feed users content that upsets them, leading to increased engagement and ad revenue.
• Vulnerable individuals, such as teenage girls, are particularly targeted with toxic content related to body image and eating disorders.
• The education system is designed to create anxiety and depression in children, making them addicted to content and their phones.
• This addiction pulls children away from their families and makes them more susceptible to predators and other negative influences.

Young People Are Becoming Less Patriotic (00:13:33)

• Information on the internet is designed to be viral and not necessarily accurate.
• Patriotism among young people is declining rapidly.
• Dr. Phil expresses his love for America and acknowledges its flaws.
• He criticizes elite universities for teaching ideologies like socialism and Marxism.
• Dr. Phil questions the value of an expensive education if the outcome is supposed to be the same for everyone.
• Universities are teaching students to be victims and to medicalize their feelings.
• Students are filing complaints against professors for causing emotional distress.
• More professors are being fired or disciplined than during the McCarthy era.
• Some professors deserve criticism, but the current trend is excessive.

Why Glorifying Victimhood is So Dangerous (00:17:55)

• The education system is facing challenges due to a shift in societal values, where status and reputation are increasingly associated with victimhood rather than competence, leading to a dangerous trend of people faking victimhood to gain status.
• Lowering academic standards based on factors like willingness to learn or interest can have serious consequences in fields where competence is crucial, such as aviation, medicine, and firefighting.
• The current education system teaches students that everything is relative, which is not the case in the competitive world, and it should instead focus on meritocracy and equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
• The removal of standardized tests like the SAT, which provided an opportunity for gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds to showcase their abilities and gain admission to better schools, is criticized.
• Lowering standards to accommodate underprivileged students is not the solution; instead, efforts should be made to provide them with the necessary resources and support from an early age to ensure they are competitive when they reach higher levels of education.
• Legacy admissions, which favor students from wealthy and influential families while overlooking underprivileged students with the potential for success, are criticized.

The Problem With Inclusive Language (00:26:34)

• The education system and some corporations have adopted politically correct language, replacing traditional terms with more inclusive ones, such as "bodies with vaginas" instead of "women."
• Trigger warnings have become prevalent in universities, leading to disciplinary action against professors who use potentially offensive language.
• Virtue signaling corporations and universities are driving these changes, influencing young minds and hiring practices.
• The entertainment industry remains relatively free from restrictions on free speech, while the education system has shifted its focus from practical skills to virtue signaling.
• This shift raises concerns about the quality of education and its impact on students' future success.

How Much of These Issues Are Coordinated? (00:33:47)

• Fringe activists employ coordinated tactics, such as bot armies and scare tactics, to promote their agendas, leading to compliance due to job anxiety and a desire to avoid conflict.
• There is a growing backlash against the push to endorse certain agendas, with individuals asserting their right to freedom of speech and choice.
• Rewriting and altering classic literature, like Huckleberry Finn, distorts the original meaning and undermines the intended lessons.
• Presentism, applying current standards to historical events, distorts our understanding of the past.
• Dr. Phil emphasizes the importance of teaching history accurately without hiding the past and criticizes judging historical figures by today's standards, deeming it unfair and unrealistic.
• Dr. Phil acknowledges the challenges of understanding pronouns and gender identity in modern society and stresses the need for patience and understanding.

Are People Less Open-Minded Today? (00:42:31)

• People are less open-minded and more entrenched in their beliefs, leading to confirmation bias and resistance to new information.
• The rapid pace of change makes it difficult to keep up with what is considered acceptable.
• Some individuals find victimhood even when there isn't any, and those enforcing rules may assume others are manipulative and aggressive.
• Mistakes made in good faith are often misinterpreted as evidence of negative traits or beliefs, leading to public scrutiny.
• Dr. Phil emphasizes that he does not avoid controversial topics and acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects of being involved in highly publicized discussions.
• The media sensationalizes news to attract attention, even if it means distorting the truth.
• Clickbait headlines evoke strong emotions to capture readers' attention.
• Lies spread faster than the truth because they are often simple and easy to understand, while the truth is often more complex.

The Current Attack on the Family Unit (00:50:12)

• Dr. Phil warns of the current attack on family values and the importance of strong family relationships, especially in preventing sextortion among young men.
• The decline of family support systems due to increasing distance and toxic narratives on social media is leading to individuals feeling isolated and unable to turn to their families for help.
• Dr. Phil emphasizes the need for open communication within families and cautions against cutting off family ties, as the consequences can be severe.
• The education system is failing students by not equipping them with critical thinking skills and relevant knowledge for success in the modern world.
• The outdated education system needs to be reformed to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Principles for Becoming More Resilient (00:56:19)

• Be authentic and make choices based on results and rationality, rather than societal norms or ideologies.
• Focus on problem-solving and avoid getting caught up in arguments.
• Dr. Phil emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and accuracy in his discussions, employing a team of college professors to thoroughly research topics and provide empirical support for his arguments.
• Before airing any show, Dr. Phil triple-checks his content with his research team to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information presented.
• He clearly distinguishes between facts and opinions, making it clear when he is expressing personal views versus presenting factual data.
• Dr. Phil encourages individuals to express their thoughts and opinions, rather than remaining silent for the sake of others' comfort.

Conclusion (01:04:59)

• Dr. Phil appreciates the guest's efforts to be balanced and accurate in their statements, especially considering their large audience.
• Dr. Phil believes that those who reach a large audience have a responsibility to communicate information accurately.
• Dr. Phil acknowledges that he won't always get it right but will correct any mistakes he makes.
• Dr. Phil enjoyed the challenging questions and conversation.
• Dr. Phil invites the guest to visit him in Austin, where they can enjoy various activities together.
• The podcast offers a selection of the best clips from the last few months.