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Re: Sira
Wow, you're son has some impressive stats! (99 is the highest possible level for any skill, and it takes a lot of work to get there!)
Glad to see that at least a few of today's youth are actually attempting to learn. Then again, how could he not, with a great parent like you!
Thanks for reading 
posted by
Sira890
on February 13, 2008 at 10:02 AM
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Sira
If you meet someone who is on level 84, with a 99 for firebuilding, you are welcome to pass on any full English words to him that you can. I have more optimism than most. My son, 13, started a clan on Runescape, and he posted some notices about it. He asked me how to
spell some words because he realised the notice had to be in full sentences. All is not lost. 
Thank you for your kind thoughts on my blog. I will walk through every door.
posted by
Azur
on February 12, 2008 at 4:01 PM
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Re: A teacher I know -- a high school teacher -- told me yesterday that
Ummm...I hate to admit it, but I'm not very good at reading those "old" clocks either--we never learned it in school, and my first watch was digital. Dad taught me the basics, so I can do it if I have to, but it's a rather slow process. Mom got me a lovely watch a few years ago, one of the fancy ones with no numbers or anything. I wear it as an accessory, and nothing more.
It's a sad truth--my generation is reliant on technology. When my cable goes out (which takes out internet, home phone, and television), my day grinds to a halt. If the power were to go completely, I'd be beside myself! And the generation coming along behind me is even worse.
On the bright(er) side, I can tell what vegetation is edible, milk an cow, and fry an egg. I might not know what time it is, but at least I won't starve to death
posted by
Sira890
on February 12, 2008 at 10:12 AM
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Re: Sira
Naut,
I couldn't agree more! Words are such amazing tools, if we only take the time to use them properly!
If only we had a few more books like Harry Potter--something to really get the kids attention, and give them a reason to want to read. Until then, I suppose we'll hope for the best, and look to parents and teachers to try and instill some measure of literacy in the next generation.
I hope you do pick it up! I've enjoyed the religious series, and I think you'd do amazing things with this topic as well!
posted by
Sira890
on February 12, 2008 at 10:04 AM
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Re: what's worse is that they are actually starting to talk like that.
Oh dear...don't even get me started on that commercial!
This is exactly what I was worried about though--they're learning (or rather, failing to learn!) basic communication skills. Just wait until they start talking like that in college. I have nightmares about term papers being handed in, filled with 'u', and 'i no' (I know), and all the rest of that garbage!
Thanks for reading, and good luck with your nieces 
posted by
Sira890
on February 12, 2008 at 9:58 AM
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Re:
I can only imagine the shock they'll get, when they enter the grown-up world and realize that their boss has no idea what they're trying to say!
I'm only one girl sam, but I'll "save" as many as I can
posted by
Sira890
on February 12, 2008 at 9:54 AM
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A teacher I know -- a high school teacher -- told me yesterday that
most of her students don't know how to tell time on an analog clock, the one with a face, the numbers circling on the outside from 1-12, and hands that move, hour, minute and second. They don't even wear watches. They get the time in digital form from their cell phones. This floored me! How can they NOT know how to tell time on a clock? What would happen to them if the electric grid went down? They wouldn't have a clue about what fruits, berries and plants are edible. They couldn't milk a cow. They probably don't know how to fry an egg. So, the internet shorthand is "in" and useful as far as it goes, but fogies like me and farmers would have higher survivability if the lights go out.
posted by
Pat_B
on February 12, 2008 at 8:25 AM
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Sira
I am absolutely convinced that internet communication is doing things to the language, none of them good. (That's from the point of view of someone who prefers a language that is rich and varied, allows for the expresssion of fine nuances and can also be logically rigorous.) Related to this problem is another one - I know from teachers how difficult it is to get kids to read...
You have touched on a very important issue here, that's certainly worth looking into in greater depth. Maybe I'll take a look after I have finished this damn religion series...
posted by
Nautikos
on February 12, 2008 at 6:08 AM
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what's worse is that they are actually starting to talk like that.
My neice in verbal, in-person conversation the other day: O M G.
My other neice in verbal, in-person conversation in reply: I D K, that's what she said.
I thought they were imitating that retarded cell phone commercial (by the way, I abhor cell phones) with the bratty kid mouthing off to her mother in text-speak.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on February 11, 2008 at 11:16 PM
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That was an education for me. I think we are falling into trouble with written communication skills by the younger ones. We may be there though. The bottom line is they will enter the workforce at the level they reside in now and it could be a big enough shock to make changes. Like you were attempting, save them one at a time. sam
posted by
sam444
on February 11, 2008 at 5:16 PM
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