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Kaj_Sotala comments on Open thread, May 17-31 2013 - Less Wrong Discussion

2 [deleted] 17 May 2013 01:47PM

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Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 17 May 2013 08:07:20PM 2 points [-]

I've gotten the impression that the respect of teachers in the US is way below what it is in the UK (or Finland, for that matter).

Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 17 May 2013 08:30:40PM 6 points [-]

To all three of you: respected by whom?

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 18 May 2013 05:44:23AM 0 points [-]

People in general?

Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 18 May 2013 05:58:16AM *  5 points [-]

I think that's a little vague. My impression is the following (in the US):

  • Many people will claim to respect teachers in the abstract. Charitably I think this is based on fond memories of their favorite teacher, less charitably based on a sense that respecting teachers is something people feel like they ought to be seen doing.

  • However, actually being a teacher (e.g. on a date) is not likely to garner a great deal of status relative to other professions.

  • Also, students generally don't seem to respect their teachers (but this is also vague).

Agree with the OP that the basic problem seems to be a vicious cycle (again, in the US).

Comment author: Emile 18 May 2013 08:01:30AM 7 points [-]

It´s probably something like Linus's "I love humanity ... It's people I can't stand".

I wonder if there isn't the opposite effect for some group, like CEOs, where people may have somewhat negative feelings about the abstract concept, but show a great deal of respect in person.

Comment author: [deleted] 18 May 2013 08:42:09AM 1 point [-]

It's even worse in here Italy -- ISTM that most people would agree that most teachers these days are incompetent.

Comment author: fubarobfusco 18 May 2013 06:33:21AM *  0 points [-]

Another question would be whether people who interact with teachers qua teachers — for instance, parents of students; coaches, principals, or other school employees — treat them as moral and social equals, or as inferiors. It seems to be a common complaint from schoolteachers that some parents, for instance, consistently treat their children's teachers as inferiors.