DT, we finally agree on something! 

I think the tall poppy syndrome is seriously holding back the academic achievement of our children, and probably the productivity of many of our employees. The Americans are very different in this regard and value success, however this is probably tied to being a very consumerist society (he who dies with the most toys wins) which isn't much better. I think that in British schools it is even worse and the bright kids are even more ostracised.

I think we should put more value in achievement, but not just getting rich. We certainly value sporting achievement, and those two scientists got a lot of publicity recently over their (nobel?) prize, which is a good sign. I think that Dick Smith seems to have understood the feeling in the community well. His success is mostly in business, but he tries to be seen to be contributing to society and enjoying life.

Hey, I think the Tall Poppy Syndrome is a healthy part of Australian culture. It keeps people grounded. There is no barrier against success as long as you don't see yourself as above everyone else - your success should be their success. Freediver's example of Dick Smith is a good one. He is very successful, and also a fairly popular public figure. It proves he's found the right balance. Those who cop the Tall Poppy knife deserve it for not adequately sharing their accomplishments with the broader community. The excesses of the United States are exactly what you get without a well functioning Tall Poppy Syndrome.

That name rings a bell. What did he do that makes you mention him?

 

Lisa Jones wrote on Dec 7^th, 2022 at 10:05pm:

Peccary will get jealous about that.

It's a carry-over from the convict colony beginning of the Civilisation period of Australia... when the cards were so stacked in favour of the 'cops' etc, it just wasn't done to 'dob' someone, since the punishment for even minor things could be draconian.

People outside the power loop just operated by a different standard - one of self-protection and protection of their 'own' group.

It's only in recent years that courts here have begun to demand proof and not just assertions from cops etc, for conviction.

That is why Young Brittany's thing must NOT be used to change the requirement for substantial proof for conviction, regardless of the efforts of the 'feminist' Neo-Fascist groups striving for that.

Gnads wrote on Dec 8^th, 2022 at 8:01am:


Funnily enough .... I've never been a workplace dobber.

I've never liked workplace empire builders either.