Why aren't kids like this role models? I didn't even know a thing about him until a minute ago.

[DD_bongodriver]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m5SsW6u3oE
 
So he is due to do a round the world flight in a Lear45 (good choice if I may say so myself  ) but on his website it seems overdue, anybody know how this kid got on?

http://jonathanstrickland.com/

[HagarTheHorrible]

Don't be daft, the only good Black role models, in fact don't even bother with the identifier "Black", the only good role models for kids from certain sections of the community now days are either that one in a million super talented person (usually to be exploited by others behind the scenes), self publicists celebrities without shame or, reformed crack heads or gang members. Why would anyone want to be reminded of the reality that actually simply working hard, using your brain and just being a good, thoughtful, helpful member of your community is not only much more realistic but actually of far more benefit to the tribe in general.  The best roll models, to my mind, are those who give of their free time, without thought of reward for themselves, the sort of lowly people who run or help out at kids activities or try to improve the lives of those around them, often unthanked and ignored by those higher up "professionals" who take them for granted.

[Feathered_IV]

Er, okay...

 

I think I saw a short video about Strickland several years ago via the Ubi forums. Looked like he was working his butt off. Glad it's working out. Good luck to him I say.

[II./JG27_Rich]

This kid was on BCTV Global in Canada when he did his flight to Canada. I remember him.  They made quite a deal about him.

Edited February 6, 2014 by II./JG27_Rich

[Bearcat]

Don't be daft, the only good Black role models, in fact don't even bother with the identifier "Black", the only good role models for kids from certain sections of the community now days are either that one in a million super talented person (usually to be exploited by others behind the scenes), self publicists celebrities without shame or, reformed crack heads or gang members. Why would anyone want to be reminded of the reality that actually simply working hard, using your brain and just being a good, thoughtful, helpful member of your community is not only much more realistic but actually of far more benefit to the tribe in general.  The best roll models, to my mind, are those who give of their free time, without thought of reward for themselves, the sort of lowly people who run or help out at kids activities or try to improve the lives of those around them, often unthanked and ignored by those higher up "professionals" who take them for granted.

.. and you start this statement out with "Don't be daft.." ? Your intentions were probably well enough.. but do you know how you sound... ?

[HagarTheHorrible]

.. and you start this statement out with "Don't be daft.." ? Your intentions were probably well enough.. but do you know how you sound... ?

 

Sorry, it just irritates me to hell that the media only seem to think, Rappers, puerile, vacuous celebrities and superstar athletes are the only people worth promoting as role models to certain groups in society.  Not normal, hard working people with realistic, attainable achievements. Maybe it's a Brit thing rather than Trans Atlantic but as bongodriver says,  why in hells name don't they put lads like this in front of classes rather than have them think somebody is going to come along and pluck them from obscurity because of their inner talent.

[Cybermat47]

Sorry, it just irritates me to hell that the media only seem to think, Rappers, puerile, vacuous celebrities and superstar athletes are the only people worth promoting as role models to certain groups in society.  Not normal, hard working people with realistic, attainable achievements. Maybe it's a Brit thing rather than Trans Atlantic but as bongodriver says,  why in hells name don't they put lads like this in front of classes rather than have them think somebody is going to come along and pluck them from obscurity because of their inner talent.

I agree. I'm only 14, but I just don't understand why some of the 'role-models' today are considered role-models. Oh well, at least Miley Cyrus isn't a role-model anymore. And if she is, WHY?!

[siipperi]

I don't get the title of this thread? Why all kids aren't like him? Don't pursue as high goals as he? Well, everyone have right to choose what he does with life. Nice to see that this kid is doing what he loves and that's all what matters.

[DD_bongodriver]

I don't get the title of this thread? Why all kids aren't like him? Don't pursue as high goals as he? Well, everyone have right to choose what he does with life. Nice to see that this kid is doing what he loves and that's all what matters.

 

No, why aren't kids like this role models, what's not to understand? sure everybody has the right to chose what they do but at the same time how do they know what they could do unless somebody shows them, right now all kids expect out of life is to be rocketed to superstardom for minimal effort and talent, the people that younger generations idolise are not worthy of it and are only in the public eye for pure commercial reasons.

[Picchio]

right now all kids expect out of life is to be rocketed to superstardom for minimal effort and talent

 

What is it that makes you say so?

[DD_bongodriver]

What is it that makes you say so?

 

Appart from living on planet earth?

[ATAG_Slipstream]

Justin Bieber seems to be popular...

[Picchio]

Appart from living on planet earth?

 

Your view seems somehow limited... not all kids grow up in the wanna-be society, you know.

[DD_bongodriver]

Your view seems somehow limited... not all kids grow up in the wanna-be society, you know.

 

If you say so, have a good day.

[siipperi]

No, why aren't kids like this role models, what's not to understand? sure everybody has the right to chose what they do but at the same time how do they know what they could do unless somebody shows them, right now all kids expect out of life is to be rocketed to superstardom for minimal effort and talent, the people that younger generations idolise are not worthy of it and are only in the public eye for pure commercial reasons.

And kids in 60s and 70s didn't look after rock/popstars? And kids in 1000 years ago looked after knights and kings, what a great role models those were. Please... This has happened always and will happen again. No reason to bash current generation of kids. Just because we live  social media era now and get more information about current phenomenons doesn't mean this hasn't happened in the past. 

[DD_bongodriver]

if you say so, have a nice day.

[Sternjaeger]

In all fairness I sometimes share the sentiment bongo has, but then again I have met some inspiring young kids that are already achieving so much with their lives, that it kinda restores my hope..

 

I'm sure we were no different: in our parents' eyes, our generation was lost, yet we just turned old, settled down, our idols turned old and shitty looking and we became the ones who judge the young ones.

 

If there's one remark I'd like to make to the younger generations is enjoy your youth, but don't live and act like you're gonna be forever young, because one day you're gonna wake up and you're gonna be 40, and I'm not sure how cool all your once fancy tattoos, piercings and golden teeth are gonna look like..

[DD_bongodriver]

Of course a couple of people here missed my entire point, which was mainly to do with the fact that kids like the young chap in my original post seem to get overlooked or more overshadowed, and instead of kids like him being showcased for genuine ambition talent and dedication, the younger generations are simply being force fed commercialised crap in the form of the Justin Biebers etc.

[Cybermat47]

What is it that makes you say so?

I'm 14 years old, and I can tell ya, what he's saying is true. I'm supremely confident that I'll make an epic movie about the Red Baron, then make a Halo movie, and make an awesome Batman film series. Of course, it'll probably never happen.

[Picchio]

Dear Bongo, I understood your point, but you just answered with a generalization. The way I see it, true role models are thought of as established for each society based on that society's cultural background and history. A white trash pop cultural background is not common to all societies (which one can even call that as its own background, anyway?), and I would simply call it a trend in tastes. As a trend, it does lead media marketing and all those nice things that are frantically bombing our vision and hearing, and it simply has learned the ability to bypass cultural backgrounds, because it sells. Still it won't mean that every kid will adopt the result of such a marketing strategy - because that's all it can be, in my opinion - as a role model.

I see Miley Cyruses, but I don't see a world made of them. Yet she proudly nominated herself as leader of a movement. What movement?

It's not all on TV, and not all on YouTube.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Picchio

[DD_bongodriver]

Dear Bongo, I understood your point, but you just answered with a generalization.

 

If you understood my point why did you have anything to ask? the point I was making is simple, I didn't apply it globally.

[Picchio]

Mmm, I thought you did when you answered:

on planet earth?

 

 

And I asked because I would have liked you to elaborate on the subject of:

right now all kids expect out of life is to

 

My mistake then. It's an interesting subject nontheless.

Cheers!

Edited February 8, 2014 by Picchio

[DD_bongodriver]

Well that came after your initial confusion over my OP, and it was fairly obvious it was  semi-sarcastic ( with no malicious intent ), it is a fairly common use of expression, used to exclaim surprise at the lack of understanding of a point being made, often heard as 'what planet are you on?' or 'hello! planet earth calling', again no intention to condemn the entire planet to my opinion, hope that helps.
 
Cheers!

 

right now all kids expect out of life is to

 

 

I see, you thought I was saying 'all kids' to mean 'every kid in the world'..........it didn't seem apparent to you that the greater likelihood was that I was talking about an issue more relating to the western world I live in?

Edited February 8, 2014 by DD_bongodriver

[Rama]

The last exchanges shows that nobody as anything more to add on the subject.

Closing.