To Whom Should You Listen?

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely mine. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution.

Part of growing up is finding resources to help with decision-making and executing plans. A hierarchy of resources exists. Mr. Rogers famously said, "Look for the helpers." 

There are "reliable" and "questionable" sources. 

Start with "famous people." Think for yourselves. 

For example, as entertaining as Mark Twain's speeches are, they don't always represent "good advice." For example: 

"First, girls, don’t smoke—that is, don’t smoke to excess. I am seventy-three and a half years old, and have been smoking seventy-three of them. But I never smoke to excess—that is, I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time."

Artificial intelligence 

(AI) comes above with a caveat, AI "hallucinates" in response to prompts. How far do you want to trust hallucinations? In the words of President Ronald Reagan, "Trust but verify." 

The MVB Blog 

Slightly above Twain and AI is anything read here in the blog. First, it comes with a disclaimer and second, "don't believe everything you read." 

Your Eyes

You know the saying, "Seeing is believing." With AI and 'deepfakes' practically anyone can be made to appear to be saying anything. If you need proof, voila. 

 

Goldie and Frenchie share good advice but it's entertainment. 

Teachers

Teachers teach to the curriculum. For example, history texts are designed to sell in Texas. History to Texans can vary from history in Massachusetts (really). If you need more history information consider reading: 

A People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn)

Lies My Teacher Told Me (James Loewen)

Teachers are usually excellent sources but information can go out of date. Growing up, we learned there were nine planets in the solar system. Since 2006, Pluto became a 'dwarf planet', so now it's eight. 

Coaches 

If your coach wants a skill or a coverage executed a certain way, do it that way until your next coach wants you to do it their way. This can be negotiable, depending on the expertise and maturity of your argument. If your coach tells you "don't serve down the sidelines because the risk is too high," don't. 

Family

Your parents want what's best for you and have the most direct responsibility to and for you. They want what is in your best interest. Listening to this song will help save you time. 

 

Lagniappe. It's okay to be a "T-Rex" at the beginning of your attack but NOT throughout the attack.