News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Mike Replies To A Slightly Offended, Not Very Enthusiastic Scout.. Parent comment

Re:Mike Replies To A Slightly Offended, Not Very Enthusiasti... by chrisa on Thursday June 17, 2010 @06:15PM (#1440587)
While I certainly agree that it doesn’t imply mediocrity, my experience in Boy Scouts is this: While there are exceptions (see dagw’s comment below for example), I have found that scouts who aren’t interested in getting to eagle are a net drain on the troop. Boy Scouts is an organization that is about fun, yes, but it is also geared toward learning and building character. When a scout isn’t actively working toward a goal (the next rank, a new merit badge, etc), they have little else to do but distract others. I understand that not all activities have to be goal oriented, but I do have a problem when the behavior of un-interested scouts affects others in a negative way.

On the other hand, if you’re committed to the troop and activities, but are simply not interested in eagle, (as many here have pointed out) – then yes, I agree.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Mike Replies To A Slightly Offended, Not Very Enthusiasti... by pyre on Thursday June 17, 2010 @09:17PM (#1440990)
So everyone in the scouts has to be a goal-oriented go-getter? I had no idea that I was a net drain on the scouts simply for not being a type-a personality.

What I read into your comment is more along the lines of:

  I think that the boys should be on 'this' projected curve
  of achievement going into the future, but these other boys
  that have no goal of meeting my projected curve are distracting
  the other boys that need to spend 100% of their time with
  their eyes on the prize.
If the other scouts really are interested in making it to Eagle Scout then they will remain focused enough to get there. You have to consider the possibility that some boys will see it as a goal because they feel it is expected of them, but it doesn't hold any personal value to them. The uninterested boys that you see as a net drain are maybe the boys who have personally made the decision that they do not want to strive for that goal. Their decision could be affecting the other boys by showing them that not striving for Eagle Scout is also acceptable (but maybe they won't voice that aloud because their parents are the 'driving force' behind 'you must obtain Eagle Scout').
[ Parent | on HN ]