The Shrine

Heard a bit of this on the Adam Carolla Radio Show. Adam called what was done to this kid to make him such a great speller a form of child abuse. Maybe the kid is suffering from something else, but Adam's comment made me stop and think, <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=3qojjSr2S7k">especially after seeing the whole interview..</a>

I couldn't get past the first 30 seconds. I could already tell it was going to be a trainwreck.

SineSwiper wrote:I couldn't get past the first 30 seconds. I could already tell it was going to be a trainwreck.

Yeah it was pretty harsh. Adam Carolla brings up a good point - assuming this kid is not suffering from a mental disorder, is this type of treatment of kids a form of child abuse (i.e., forcing them down a certain path no matter what)?

Well if the reason he had abnormally poor communication skills is due to his upbringing, then yes. If it is due to some form of mental illness, and he really didn't have anything better to do with his time, then no; as it has allowed him to be successful (you know, assuming he wasn't beaten or something). Though, a lot of people on this continent should NOT be raising children.

Maybe I'm just being silly...but what marketable skill does being a national spelling bee champion bring?

And don't say spell checking-- they have computers for that now

Tessian wrote:Maybe I'm just being silly...but what marketable skill does being a national spelling bee champion bring?

And don't say spell checking-- they have computers for that now

Agreed. I think spelling bees are ridiculous. I hate using the term "marketable skills" because it makes me feel like a capitalist slime ball (even though I am), but they are a pointless waste of time.