Texas Tech System Chancellor blames social media for wrong perceptions of society
Dr. Tedd L. Mitchell spoke during a program sponsored by the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce.
He told more than 400 people that global access to food, electricity, water and sanitation has skyrocketed in recent years.
'The amount of money spent on food, shelter, and clothes took 80% of every nickel earned in 1900. Today less than half of our money goes to food, shelter, and clothing,' he said, giving people more discretionary spending than ever before.
He said the average hours of work in developed nations was 42 hours a week in about 1950 and is now under 35 hours a week.
He said houses today are bigger than they were several decades ago, but the number of people living in them has decreased.
'The world as we know it by any measure is dramatically better than it was 200 years ago. But still, when you ask people, are we on the right track, the answer, when you poll people about this is, no,' he said. 'So why doesn't it feel like things are going in the right direction?'
Mitchell said surveys show the fastest growing political affiliation is 'unaffiliated' and the number of Americans reporting having no close friends has tripled since 1985.
'There's something going on that's problematic in the overlay of our society,' he said.
He placed the blame squarely on social media.
'For the first time in human history, a young boy or a young girl can instantly gauge their popularity. All they have to do is post something. They wait for the comments during the most vulnerable times of their lives,' he said.
He said one study showed mental health issues among young people were determined by time spent on the internet. He said it has reached the point that the U.S. surgeon general has suggested a warning label be put on social media.
'We've seen this coming for a long time, like a slow-moving train wreck,' Mitchell said. 'Can you make sure that your children and your friends' children have something to do other than spend time on social media? Yes, you can.'
He said those in the room who will feel fulfilled over their lifetimes 'will have found some way to help other people, whether it's in your house, whether it's in the neighborhood, or whether it's at work.'
He also described how generations have changed in what they want and expect from their lives since the 'Greatest Generation' of World War II.
He said subsequent generations have become quick to move on if their employers don't meet their needs.
'The days of working for 30 years to get the gold watch at the end of it were pretty much gone when it came to Gen X," he said.
Mitchell, who has led the university system that includes MSU since 2018, has announced he will retire when a successor is named.
He was one of several motivational speakers at the university's D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
More: Sikes Senter sale, firefighters benefits on City Council agenda
More: Grad student embraces her learning stage at MSU Texas
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Texas Tech system Chancellor blames social media for wrong perceptions of society
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Teen Decides to Eat at His Favorite Restaurant for His Birthday. His Parents Say He Should've Catered to His Brother
A teen finally gets his dream birthday dinner, but it leads to fights, blame, and a battle over family favoritismNEED TO KNOW A 16-year-old chooses his favorite restaurant for his birthday dinner after years of being denied it His younger brother, who usually gets his way, sulks and insults the restaurant, causing a family fight The teen is blamed by his parents, leading him to ask Reddit if he was wrong for finally picking a place he enjoysA teen seeks support from the Reddit community following a birthday dinner that sparked family tension and exposed deeper issues of favoritism. In a post, the 16-year-old explains how what should have been a joyful celebration turned into yet another reminder of how his family dynamics leave him feeling second best. 'My parents never let me eat at my favorite restaurant when we celebrate my birthday or other stuff,' he writes. 'My brother doesn't like the food there and they say any celebration needs to include stuff we all like.' But he points out a double standard that's hard to ignore. 'We always eat at his favorite place,' he says, even though it's a 'really small pizza shop' where the food is, in his words, 'awful.' 'I should like some of the stuff but it tastes so gross,' he continues. 'I'm not the only person who thinks so either but since my brother loves it they don't care if I hate the food there.' There have been times when he's had nothing but water during meals there. On other occasions, he's forced himself to eat and ended up feeling sick afterward. His dad even gets stomach issues from the food, but still goes along with it to please his younger son. Meanwhile, none of the 16-year-old's top choices are ever seriously considered — even on his birthday. 'They always go with choices I'm just okay with because my brother likes them,' he shares. 'I have tried telling them I don't like those restaurants anymore and they say I can find something but none of my top five places work for my brother.' Meals out only happen for special occasions like birthdays, graduations or really good report cards. Still, even on those rare outings, the family always defaults to places that cater to his brother's preferences. So when his grandparents came to visit in June, right around his birthday, he saw a rare opportunity to actually celebrate his way. They asked him privately where he wanted to go, and he didn't hesitate. 'I told them about the Thai place that's my favorite ever,' he writes. His grandparents, well aware of how overlooked he usually is, told him his parents "couldn't dictate to them.' When the big day came, the grandparents surprised the rest of the family by announcing they'd be eating at the Thai restaurant, taking full credit for the choice. 'They said they heard us talk about that place before and knew it was my favorite and how they wanted to surprise me,' he says. The teen was thrilled and described the night as a rare moment of joy. 'It was the best meal out I had with my family in forever,' he adds. But his 14-year-old brother sulked the entire time. 'He insulted the food, the restaurant and the staff the whole night,' he says. The grandparents stood up for him and scolded his parents for allowing the behavior. That only escalated things into a fight between the adults at the table. Despite the chaos, he says he was just happy to enjoy a meal he genuinely loved. But the joy was short-lived. Later, his parents confronted him and said they knew he was the one who chose the restaurant, even though his grandparents had claimed responsibility. 'They told me I knew my brother didn't like it,' he recalls. He pushed back, reminding them that he's expected to go along with his brother's favorites all the time. 'He knows I don't like his favorite but [I have] to go there,' he told them. That didn't sit well with his parents. 'They told me not to turn it back on him, that I'm 16 and that's old enough to know better,' he says. They claimed part of being a good host is catering to your guests. But OP told them, 'He wasn't really my guest though,' which only made them more upset. Since then, the issue hasn't been dropped. His parents have brought it up several times and have even had more arguments with the grandparents because of it. Meanwhile, his brother has been lashing out in petty and childish ways. 'He threw water all over me and tried to make me eat mushrooms (ick),' he writes. The parents didn't discipline his brother for those actions. Instead, they blamed him, saying, 'It was my fault for the stunt with the restaurant.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He ends the post wondering if he was wrong for choosing his favorite place after so many years of being denied that simple joy. The reaction from readers makes it clear they don't think so. 'Good for your grandparents,' one commenter writes. 'Also, sounds like your parents are grooming a monster AH Golden Child.' He responds that it's not the first time his brother's behavior has caused tension with the rest of the family. 'They pissed off dad's side a couple of years ago when we all went to this really nice restaurant and he was loudly insulting the restaurant and the food.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Move Over, Training Wheels: There's a Better Way to Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike
The rider will graduate to longer and faster glides before learning to ride. Laura Motley and Jason Toledo/NYT Wirecutter While some kids learn to bike in a day, others take much longer. Likewise, some kids are ready to ride by age 2, and others don't develop the coordination or confidence until they're 5 or older. McFarland advises that parents stay the course but honor their child's pace. 'Different kids may progress through the process at different speeds, but there is not a better way to learn,' he said. Even some adults who are learning to ride for the first time use the balance bike method. Whether it takes your kid a day or a year to learn, these pointers will set them up for success. Get the right-size bike. If your kid is under the age of 4 or 5, they can start with a dedicated balance bike. Older, taller children may need to begin with a pedal bike, but any bike can be converted to a balance bike: Just remove the pedals with a 15 mm wrench (most bikes ordered online come with one) and lower the seat so they can sit on the saddle with their feet flat on the ground, knees slightly bent. For a proper no-pedal fit, feet should be flat on the ground with knees slightly bent. Laura Motley for NYT Wirecutter The most important factor to consider when selecting a bike for your kid is size. 'Oftentimes parents buy big bikes that kids can grow into, which causes a lot of frustration for their kid,' Alison Dewey, education director of The League of American Bicyclists, told me. A low seat height offers a feeling of security and allows riders to push their feet against the ground with power and control. Build confidence with an anatomy lesson. 'A bike is basically a really large, cumbersome toy that has a mind of its own,' Dewey said. Explain the different parts of the bike to your kid, and have them hold the handlebars and walk beside it — this will give them a sense of how heavy it is and how it tends to lean and fall. Next, encourage your kid to sit on the bike and practice 'walking' while seated. Then they can start pushing their feet and gliding. A properly fitting helmet will also increase confidence (and keep them safe). Find the right environment. Large, open spaces like empty parking lots are more conducive to learning than sidewalks or driveways. 'A flat area free of obstacles with at least 100 feet or more open space will allow for unencumbered pushing and gliding,' said Doug Ballew, a cycling educator with Woom. 'That straightaway is where they're gonna develop their skills.' Both Ballew and Bassett recommend finding a location with a slight grade, if possible; a gentle downhill gives your kid extra momentum as they learn to glide. If your child is nervous about wiping out, you could take them to a local track. Many modern running tracks are made with synthetic materials that are gentler and springier than asphalt. Add pedals when they've mastered balancing. 'Don't force pedals on them before they have achieved 100% of the balance aspect of it,' Ballew said. 'They should be gliding for 25 feet or more.' (That wide open parking lot can help them reach this milestone.) When you add pedals, raise the seat a little so their feet are flat on the ground with their legs straight. As they gain confidence pedaling, raise the seat by small increments until they can sit on the saddle and touch the ground with the balls of their feet. Perfect the pedaling. Many kids find pedaling intuitive, but some need extra guidance. Dewey suggests teaching the power pedal position, where one foot is on a pedal positioned just past the highest part of its stroke, and the other foot is on the ground. The kid pushes off with the foot on the ground, and then down on the pedal. Then they find the other pedal with their other foot. For a proper push-off, set the child up in the power pedal position with one foot comfortably on the ground and the other on the opposite pedal. Laura Motley for NYT Wirecutter Support your kid, not their bike. If your kid wants the comforting hand of a parent steadying them as they take their first strides and glides, feel free to offer it — but make sure you're touching your kid, not their bike. 'If you want to stabilize your child in some way, grab their shirt but don't touch the bike,' McFarland says. Holding onto handlebars or a bike seat interferes with their ability to balance on their own. You can also wrap a towel around your kid's chest and hold onto it for extra support. Consider the braking system. Some balance bikes come with hand brakes, but many don't. Many mid- and high-priced kids pedal bikes, like our top pick and upgrade pick, use hand brakes. Most inexpensive kids pedal bikes have coaster brakes, but they're rendered useless when the bike is in balance mode — these brakes are only activated when the pedals are in use and pushed backwards. 'Feet are adequate for braking while you're still [in balance mode and] developing those skills,' McFarland said. Even so, some kids are more comfortable with an added hand brake. Most experts I spoke with agreed that when kids transition to pedaling, it's easier to learn on a bike with a freewheel and hand brakes than on one with a coaster brake. It can be hard to get into the 'power pedal position' when your pedals can't move backwards without locking up (which is the case on a bike with coaster brakes). Although no technique totally eliminates the possibility of scraped knees, the balance bike method can make learning to ride a two-wheeler — once a scary rite of passage — more enjoyable. Parents and caregivers should respect their child's pace and remain patient, trusting in the process. 'It's going to take as long as it takes,' Bassett said. 'You don't want to add a negative experience to something that will be a lifelong joy.' That parental patience, along with a bike that fits and an empowering way to learn, will ensure that everyone enjoys the ride. This article was edited by Catherine Kast and Kalee Thompson.
Wall Street Journal
2 hours ago
- Wall Street Journal
The Texas Walkout: All Hat, No Cattle?
A newsy analysis of the workings of D.C. (and beyond), providing the inside track on both the overhyped and overlooked events of the week. Subscribe here, and read this week's edition below:
