institutional downspiral
malign merit, circle the drain
the simple fact is that aptitude tests work. IQ tests work. they measure real, meaningful variables that are highly predictive of success at a great many tasks. people are, of course, free to dislike this fact to the fullest content of their hearts, but a fact it will remain.
and being increasingly stupid about it is not helping anyone, least of all those it was intended to.
back in 2020, the university of california system decided to phase out the SAT/ACT and in 2021, a lawsuit made it permanent.
this certainly increased the “diversity” of students, but perhaps not in the manner that had been hoped. i cannot speak to whatever they were aiming at, but “massive diversity of preparedness and capability” is what they got. in these days of grade inflation, AI, and social promotion, it (entirely predictably) filled the UC system with kids who had no business being there and we, flattly, unprepared for and unable to catch up to the work.
it’s so bad the faculty are revolting because STEM students cannot manage middle school math. here’s the letter signed by 686 faculty as of this writing: LINK
it does not mince words:
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; - Exodus 20:5
"Let me control the issuance of the currency of a Nation, and I care not who makes its laws."
“We rely upon the stupidity of the American voter” ~ Johnathan Gruber."
"Structural inflation as they cannot even understand what they already did."
Australia sues US giant 3M over 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam
Australia is suing 3M over its alleged use of 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam
The Australian government is suing US manufacturing giant 3M for AU$2bn in damages (US$1.4bn; £1.1bn) over its alleged use of toxic "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam that contaminated dozens of defence bases across the country.
It is the largest legal claim ever brought by the government, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said, as it seeks to recoup the "substantial costs" in dealing with the chemicals - known as PFAS - at 28 locations.
It claims 3M withheld and misrepresented details about the foam and its environmental impact, assuring them it was safe, despite knowing otherwise.
In response, 3M said it has never made PFAS in Australia and stopped selling the foam there 20 years ago.
In announcing the legal action on Thursday, Rowland said the government was committed to holding 3M and 3M Australia to account "for the economic and environmental harms associated with PFAS contamination".