Some teacher got an award the other day, or maybe it was a hollywood actress, all they seem to do is give each other awards.  Anyway, the term social studies came. up.  It’s a total BS term but, you know, I think it actually may be more accurate than say, History or Political Philosophy.  Those terms denote actual classical disciplines, arts, which require much skill and hard work to achieve and communicate actual knowledge, things humanity has learned.  Social studies is what?  It’s the study of how to do well in social situations.

Say you are at a dinner party and the topic of the Civil War comes up, and you begin to discuss the non-slavery causes of the war and states rights, or that sort of thing, you will soon find yourself alone with the dip.  The proper, social studies response, is to bash the South and talk about how sad you are that America started slavery and forced it on the world, and of course racism.  Racism!  Never mind that this isn’t even close to true.   You will soon find yourself the life of the party. You could probably sleep with anyone available and confetti will reign down from a mysterious source, which is strange, since you are actually at a barbecue, outside.  This is the power of social studies, examples could be multiplied a thousand fold.  This is the sad reality of the over degreed children walking around today, without two thoughts to rub together.  Historical facts are replaced with emotions and political correctness.  It’s a lot like a dictatorship, you follow the party line or get kicked out of the, um, party.

To stave off the castrated effects of social studies, read anything by Hilarie Belloc.  It’s hearty, blunt, ever wise, truthful, History.