The Knowledge Of Fifteen Year Olds

[JMHX]

We can learn so much from the fifteen-year-olds in our lives. Think about all of the not-yet-street-legal children you know, and how much they know - which is to say, everything. One can only wonder what kind of miracle cures for cancer and explosions of regional and world peace would result if only we could get these High Schoolers in one place to sort out their cognitive brilliance over juice boxes and Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Sometimes I wonder if fifteen-year-olds ought to be allowed to run for government office in this, the most powerful country in the world. They have a peculiar knack for finding out the solutions to problems before they have heard the actual problem, having an answer before the question. If we could put a few dozen young teens into a machine that could somehow compress them and divine their essential oils into a bottle, I am sure the person who consumed that ambrosia would no doubt resign Stephen Hawking to the dunce's corner.

The Wisdon of 15-Year-Olds

1. Marijuana is the cure for all illnesses, mainly the illness of being caught by mom or dad and grounded from hanging out at the Skate Park for two weeks. America ought to have legalized marijuana in all fifty states so that we would not have to have it smuggled in from Ethiopia, or wherever it is grown.

2. America is moving towards fascism. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that the guy in the suit that I supported lost the election to the guy in the suit I did not support. This blunting of popular will is certainly a sign that the people are being held down by the oppressive hand of shadow governments.

3. Oil companies are bad because they keep all of their profits and do not turn any of that back to customers who buy the oil. It should be common sense that, because we use it, it should be free. Hot Topic's 23% profit margin on overpriced Anarchy tee-shirts is beside the point.

4. The Democratic Party is clearly better than the Republican Party, despite the fact that they have nearly identical positions on same-sex marriage, foreign policy and trade.

5. Canada and Europe know how to do things a lot better than the United States, as evidenced by the fact that Canada and Europe rank as the world's largest global superpowers, and the United States is a veritable third-world country.

6. Communism is the best form of government because all people are equal and things should be equal for everyone, regardless of whether someone is more naturally skilled at something. Communism isn't popular because none of you get it.

7. We should leave Iraq because soldiers are dying, and that is unacceptable in a war.

8. Iran should be able to pursue nuclear technology because the Iranian President has promised that he won't use it for weapons, and Iran has never given us any reason to doubt their steadfast support of U.S. prosperity and influence in the region.

9. Gays ought to be able to marry. So what if it will cause a major disruption of state's rights, the tax code, and would be cobbled together based on minority opinion? The majority only matters when it agrees with me.

10. We should impeach George Bush because his family is making a dynasty of the White House. I'm going to fix that by voting Clinton and getting rid of family ownership of the White House.

[Begoner]

Most 15-year-olds are the opposite of what you described. You fail.

[TehChahlesh]

I wonder if it will be possible for me to go from 14 to 16 without having to be 15...........

Agreement with the topic and all that.

[Gunter45]

I'm not convinced. Shouldn't the grammar be off because they're too busy rebelling to conform to the tyrannical rule of the despots Strunk and White?

[Idiosyncratic]

THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT! This man speaks the truth. Not of 15 year olds, but of any politically ignorant person.

[RydiaLockheart]

The only thing you forgot is all the grammatical inconsistencies, and maybe some more whining.

[SkunkyFluffy]

At 1/4/07 07:33 PM, Gunter45 wrote: I'm not convinced. Shouldn't the grammar be off because they're too busy rebelling to conform to the tyrannical rule of the despots Strunk and White?

I don't know many 15-year-olds who have ever seen a Strunk and White. Then again, one does not have to be familiar with a thing to declare it evil.

[Imperator]

At 1/4/07 07:31 PM, Begoner wrote: Most 15-year-olds are the opposite of what you described. You fail.

JMHX, you forgot 11:

The brilliance of 15 year olds signifies that in a debate, argument, or discussion, there is clearly only ONE right and ONE wrong answer. Due to the brilliance of 15 year olds such as Begoner here, we can ascertain that 90% of the time the 15 year olds will draw on their vast life experiences to give the world's one infallibly correct answer to any question.

[JMHX]

So true.

[Imperator]

At 1/4/07 07:32 PM, TehChahlesh wrote: I wonder if it will be possible for me to go from 14 to 16 without having to be 15...........

Agreement with the topic and all that.

Don't worry about it. You'll turn 15, and turn into an asshole and everything described henceforth in this thread. It is inevitable that you will also adamantly deny that you are a bratty little 15 year old. Only in your future will you look back and realize you were once a little punk. Then you will laugh, have a beer, and head to the club with your friends.

In other words, it is your DESTINY! Chances are you'll probably forget about this post as well, or consider it idiotic, only to realize at age 20 that it was brilliant.

As my mother said, "Kids just get DUMB when they reach 15, for whatever reason. Then they get SMART again at 16. Ah well, when you're an adult you'll realize this as well".

[TehChahlesh]

But I'm doing well at 13!

[fli]

Yes--
This describes pretty much the 15 year old NG kid...

But it aint that far from the 19 year old yuppie who's into Washington and watches Cobert off and on...

[SlipperyMooseCakes]

Hmm, can't say I fit that category.

I only agreed with about two of those things, but I can see where you're coming from. If you ever browse the General forum A.K.A. the "Try and be Politicians" forum basically what you said I see posted a lot.

Sadly, it's not just from 15 year olds. It's from a large portion of American youth. A lot see one video or article on the internet and decide to agree with it, and that is the right thing, nothing else. They don't really open their eyes and consider other options and opinions. Only defending what they think is right due to one source.

Ah well, made me smirk a bit. Kudos.

[JMHX]

At 1/4/07 07:52 PM, fli wrote:

But it aint that far from the 19 year old yuppie who's into Washington and watches Cobert off and on...

I don't watch Colbert anymoore!

[Imperator]

At 1/4/07 07:52 PM, TehChahlesh wrote: But I'm doing well at 13!

Oh yeah, I didn't say you weren't! Just don't be surprised when in 6 years you look back and say, "man, I was an IDIOT at 15!! The fuck!?".

I should add that the lovely comment in my signature was from a 15 year old.....or at least a user of that mentality and maturity age.....

[TehChahlesh]

At 1/4/07 07:54 PM, Imperator wrote: Oh yeah, I didn't say you weren't! Just don't be surprised when in 6 years you look back and say, "man, I was an IDIOT at 15!! The fuck!?".

I should add that the lovely comment in my signature was from a 15 year old.....or at least a user of that mentality and maturity age.....

Ah fuck. Is there any way I can prepare myself for the sudden drop of 50 IQ points?

[Begoner]

At 1/4/07 07:41 PM, Imperator wrote: JMHX, you forgot 11:

The brilliance of 15 year olds signifies that in a debate, argument, or discussion, there is clearly only ONE right and ONE wrong answer. Due to the brilliance of 15 year olds such as Begoner here, we can ascertain that 90% of the time the 15 year olds will draw on their vast life experiences to give the world's one infallibly correct answer to any question.

Your arrogance is quite astounding, really. All that is necessary for a political debate is fact backed up by logic; life experiences are unnecessary. If you cannot get past the age barrier and "condescend" to talk to somebody who offers a coherent view, then that simply reflects poorly upon you. If you are so obstinate in your views that you are unwilling to listen to a particular person, regardless of age, on the merits of their ideas, then that reflects poorly upon you. If you write ironic replies to a hugely stereotypical thread without any merit whatsoever attached to it to denigrate those younger than you, that reflects poorly upon you. Maybe I should write a thread about those who tirelessly employ straw-man arguments devoid of any cogent assertions are absolutely brilliant.

[Peter-II]

At 1/4/07 07:28 PM, JMHX wrote: 7. We should leave Iraq because soldiers are dying, and that is unacceptable in a war.

I lol'd hard at that one.

[SlipperyMooseCakes]

At 1/4/07 07:56 PM, TehChahlesh wrote: Ah fuck. Is there any way I can prepare myself for the sudden drop of 50 IQ points?

You're not going to become stupid when you're 15. Just keep yourself open minded and pursue your interests in politics and/or current events you have an opinion on.

The original post in this thread mainly described 15 year olds in the NGBBS Politics and General forums. At least, that's where I have seen it most. I know there are plenty of other 15 year olds who think like that, but yeah.

I also know there are a lot of young people that think like that, including people your age. And then there's some people with some more open minded and more mature opinions. And then there's people who don't have an opinion at all.

I hope no 15 year old takes it personally, the post should be viewed to all as don't be so one sided, nonchalant, opinionated and ignorant about things you have thoughts on. Do a little research, consider all views, and then conclude your opinion and.or statement.

[Imperator]

All that is necessary for a political debate is fact backed up by logic; life experiences are unnecessary.

Then explain age minimums to hold US political offices, such as President.

Life experience is ABSOLUTELY necessary in making good debate. Because what you read in books, see in TV, or know from school goes only so far.

Same philosophy for warfare. All the training in the world doesn't make up for the actual experience of battle.

12:

Due to high intelligence and years of science classes, all religions are thereby incorrect, false, and utterly ridiculous fairy tales that parents tell their children to make them more obedient. All religions should be banned because all they do is stop people from believing what they want under penalty of "law", both religious and secular.

(I do find it rather ironic that a lot of people of the younger 15 year old variety tend to be stout atheists and such whereas generally more aged persons are of the religious variety.....maybe I'll search for a study with some actual numbers later on tonight to prove/disprove my hypothesis.....).

[emmytee]

OH NO!!! NOT THE TAX CODES!!!!

Possibly THE worst argument against gay marriage I have ever heard.

Aside from that, poorly executed sarcasm is another thing that 15 year olds seem fond of.

[Jizzlebang]

I don't know man, kids are pretty stupid, but arrogant college no-it-alls is worse.
I mean, just because you are 18 or 19 doesn't make you a fuckin' politcal scientist either, you know?

[SlipperyMooseCakes]

At 1/4/07 08:06 PM, Imperator wrote: Due to high intelligence and years of science classes, all religions are thereby incorrect, false, and utterly ridiculous fairy tales that parents tell their children to make them more obedient. All religions should be banned because all they do is stop people from believing what they want under penalty of "law", both religious and secular.

(I do find it rather ironic that a lot of people of the younger 15 year old variety tend to be stout atheists and such whereas generally more aged persons are of the religious variety.....maybe I'll search for a study with some actual numbers later on tonight to prove/disprove my hypothesis.....).

A little off topic here, but everything you just said is debatable. Extremely debatable.

For one thing, you can't say religions are "incorrect" due on it's based on Faith. Faith is something that can not be proven wrong, it's an option of the person.

You say that Religion is nothing more then something Parents pass down to children to be obedient, then why do so many people turn to God on their own when they are older? Not to mention a lot of orphans, abandoned, shunned, etc people through out history have been the most holiest. A lot of people choose religion on their own. But we could go on forever with your previous statment back and fourth, forever. But this is not the thread nor the time to discuss it.

I myself am very religious. I have been going to a Catholic School for 11 years now. When it came time for High School I had a choice where I would like to go, I chose the Catholic High School out of my own personal beliefs. So yeah, I chose my own path of religion on that one.

But I'll tell you why most people tend to be more religious when they're older and start to turn to God or a god. It's because they're closer to dying, or fear of dying. I don't know if you go to mass but its often flooded with older people. And then the Adults now often end up becoming those older people who flood the church. The kids kind of just hang around. Well, for the most part. Kids are young and are not afraid of death yet. They don't see it happening to them at such a young age when in fact it could happen at any time.

So yeah, there's my two cents. I'm done rambling. Sorry, post caught my attention.

[Begoner]

At 1/4/07 08:06 PM, Imperator wrote: Then explain age minimums to hold US political offices, such as President.

If people like Bush can become president, I see no reason why an intelligent 25-year-old cannot. It is not a particularly smart requirement, but it is mostly a self-enforcing rule as older people tend to have more connections with people in power.

Life experience is ABSOLUTELY necessary in making good debate. Because what you read in books, see in TV, or know from school goes only so far.

All the facts must be considered objectively from what you personally have experienced -- your experiences do not reflect what's happening in the entire world. All you need is a logical, well-reasoned argument that makes sense in theory. I am more concerned with the theoretical aspects of any type of science rather than the practical aspect -- as long as it should work, I usually couldn't care less if it doesn't because of human irrationality.

Same philosophy for warfare. All the training in the world doesn't make up for the actual experience of battle.

That's a different matter. In battle, you need to be able to think quickly on your feet and not let the fright of the moment get to you. I'm not worried about getting shot any second while writing this reply.

All religions should be banned

I am a firm believer in our civil liberties, While most other 15-year-olds that I know are not so attached to their rights, most of them do believe in the freedom of religion.

to prove/disprove my hypothesis.....).

Yeah, I heard something similar, too. Older people also tend to believe in ghosts more.

[JMHX]

At 1/4/07 08:16 PM, Jizzlebang wrote:

I mean, just because you are 18 or 19 doesn't make you a fuckin' politcal scientist either, you

Not until May.

[Jizzlebang]

At 1/4/07 08:23 PM, JMHX wrote:

At 1/4/07 08:16 PM, Jizzlebang wrote:

I mean, just because you are 18 or 19 doesn't make you a fuckin' politcal scientist either, you

Not until May.

Aha! Got'cha you weasel!

[AMFYOYO]

At 1/4/07 08:12 PM, emmytee wrote: OH NO!!! NOT THE TAX CODES!!!!

Possibly THE worst argument against gay marriage I have ever heard.

Gotta agree with you there.

[JMHX]

So when I get the degree in a few months, I want an apology and an affirmation of my general infallibility.

[WHATEVER]

Yea, im fifteen years old, and yea i agree with you about how annoying and wrong we can be when it comes to Iran, National pride, Big Oil, Iraq, Facism, and almost everything in politics, but I would like to say one thing about George Bush.

Recenently i was watching the news and I saw this. It is a story about Bush and the government being able to open our mail without any cause at all. I believe it is really scary, how Bush can just sign our freedoms away. He has gotton rid of Habeus Corpus, and now he is getting rid of the fourth amendment of the United States. Please tell me, why should we be pleased with the job this man has done?

[Buffalow]

Wow, JMHX, yet another topic that has nothing to do with Politics, yet you still get away with it. The injustice knows no limits.

Go fuck yourself. :)