Oddbean

Whoa, read this note and it kinda gave me a lightbulb 💡 moment about the recent political messaging branding opponents as “weird” — weird means, at the risk of being pedantic, not “normal,” i.e. not one of us or not someone who complies with our group’s shared norms and behaviors. It’s a way to tacitly compel the masses into compliance with the collective control apparatus (defined/directed by elites of course). If society is sick, it’s healthy to be weird. #BeWeird #KeepNostrWeird nostr:note1wy8ux3ctgk70rsue2275adqjqvcehmq33cclq0lnfg0p9dez63zqhcp0nx

When I was a homeschooled kid it was a big thing to call us all "weird" and "antisocial". My brothers were mortified to be homeschooled because of this, even though they grew up being home. So, it doesn't seem like a new thing to me. On the other hand, I think my kids grew up with more curiosity directed at them about their homeschooled status than outright affront or disbelief than I did. I should ask their impressions of this. Because there were also plenty of times they were accosted in the grocery store with "why aren't you in school?" "Oh, you poor things, don't you want to be with your friends?" Etc.

My eldest son, who was homeschooled, takes being called weird as the highest compliment. He doesn't want to be normal. Normal people tend to be unable to think for themselves and emotionally messed up. When I pulled my son out of school to homeschool him, we attended a homeschool, back-to-school event at a park. The weather was going back and forth between hot and cold. I told my 3rd grade son that it was a little cool. He needed to wear shoes and socks, not just sandals. He came out wearing athletic shorts, a polo style collared shirt, socks pulled almost up to his knees, and sandals. I asked him if he really wanted to go dressed like that. Some kids might think he was weird. He replied, "Mom, everyone knows I'm weird." I acquiesced. I didn't want to train him to be influenced by peer pressure. He has stayed sure of who he is and can't be pressured into changing. I respect that about him. FYI, he's in college on a full-ride scholarship getting a double major in computer science and math, so he is doing alright.

He got a 35 out of 36 on the ACT. At Liberty University that gets you free tuition. He also qualified for the honors program that gives him $4000 towards room and board. That makes college worthwhile. Also, Liberty is not woke. It is one of a very few about which that can be said.

He is a truly amazing young man. He makes me look like a really good Mom, but I think it is more who he is. When I get to feeling a little too smug about my parenting skills, my youngest does something awful like take off his shoe and throw it and hit someone in the back of the head with it. He is my little humbler.

Wow! Way to go on the ACT score! Our older daughter does Liberty online and likes it so far. We didn't start homeschooling until halfway through our kids. We have 3 left at home homeschooling. I'm not overly pro college, but for certain things it's necessary... we'll see what happens. My next oldest is only15, so we have a lil bit... but then again, time flies! Thanks for sharing!

I agree on college. I've told people for a while that kids shouldn't go to college unless they know why they need college for their chosen career and have verified that the time and money are worth any benefit. Obviously some careers require it, but most do not. I knew there were issues with colleges being woke and not being as rigorous as when I was in college, but when we actually started looking, it was almost impossible to find a decent college. Liberty University has been a wonderful blessing, but it is almost impossible for us to get between Lynchburg, VA, and where we live. Originally I had told my son I wanted him to pick a college that was within a one day's drive from home because the world was getting so messed up. It could be a very long day's drive if necessary. We didn't find a single college we liked in that range, so he is at Liberty.