Sometimes I wonder, when I'm being a stickler for having things turned in on time, or checking compos for plagiarized pieces from the internet, etc., if I'm just taking it all too seriously. What does it matter that I make all these rules and deadlines? Will it really make a difference when many of this generation of students don't understand what a work ethic is or the fact that copying someone else's words, even just for a little class assignment, is absolutely and positively wrong? Haven't they already internalized whatever moral "Off" switch is causing the problem?
I don't think any of them are going to get out in the real world and magically figure out what's kosher and what's not, no matter what we instructors do, but what I hope is that none of them will fuck the world up too badly. You know, hopefully none of them will end up as President one day or something...
But maybe I'm just passing the buck? Maybe there is real reason for me to be picky with students, if only for that percentage who will actually take that lesson away... Of course the ones who are that conscientious came to my class that way. It's certainly not going to be thanks to some assignment deadline in a class they are taking against their will that they will suddenly become integrity incarnate.
That's a pretty big parallel with this guy's situation. And as for the passing the buck part what I mean is, how many of the questionable-integrity students that I just write off end up doing some malarkey like this guy and then just waste someone else's time and effort in moral re-edification? (Not to mention a couple taxpayer dollars...)
OK sure I don't exactly lose sleep over all this; altho I do sincerely believe that the country will be in trouble if we ever have an overabundance of these privileged egos in office one day. I guess all we can do is the best we can.
Anyway after that meander, check this guy out on NPR.org:
Hard Times for Jury-Duty Slacker
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