Scripps national spelling bee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

OP here--the above was a quote from an article, not exactly my sentiments. But if the spelling bee (or any other activity--soccer, competitive gymnastics, etc.) requires "dozens of hours a week," that does seem excessive unless the kid is exceptionally driven and passionate about that particular pursuit. Maybe these 8 kids are. But as a parent, I'd want to look at the tradeoffs carefully before allowing my kid to commit to something like that.

Anything your kid wants to excel at is going to require a lot of hours of practice, be it travel soccer, an instrument or a business idea. It's about developing natural talents. As long as the kid is happy and driven, it's fine.

[Anonymous]

OP, I watched the whole thing. I love the spelling bee! I am amazed at how those final eight did not miss. Unprecedented! It reminds me of how James Holzhauser (sp?) is “breaking” Jeopardy.

I didn’t click on your thread earlier because, on DCUM, discussion of the spelling bee usually devolves into bashing of Indian-Americans and tons of stereotypes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I watched the whole thing. I love the spelling bee! I am amazed at how those final eight did not miss. Unprecedented! It reminds me of how James Holzhauser (sp?) is “breaking” Jeopardy.

I didn’t click on your thread earlier because, on DCUM, discussion of the spelling bee usually devolves into bashing of Indian-Americans and tons of stereotypes.

...and discussion of college admissions usually devolves into bashing of African Americans and tons of stereotypes. There's also some irony there but I won't get into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I watched the whole thing. I love the spelling bee! I am amazed at how those final eight did not miss. Unprecedented! It reminds me of how James Holzhauser (sp?) is “breaking” Jeopardy.

I didn’t click on your thread earlier because, on DCUM, discussion of the spelling bee usually devolves into bashing of Indian-Americans and tons of stereotypes.

I'm an earlier poster who said the bee was losing it's charm. I didn't want to go there and I really don't want to bash Indian-Americans, but the bee is also losing its charm because it is turning into a thing for only one cultural sub-group. I get that Indians approach spelling bees the same way whites approach soccer (as an example) but that also makes it less fun and makes it harder to relate to the bees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

At least in a sport you can improve your fitness. The words they are required to spell will never be used again in their lives. The kids don't even know/or care what the words mean. They've just mastered the process at arriving at the correct spelling...and just plain old memorization. Impressive but useless.

One can say this about a lot of things. DS is a kid who is great at learning impressive but useless skills - solving a rubik's cube really fast, reciting 100 digits of pi while juggling, playing a piano upside down...if the kids want to do it (and I do question that at some level, but let's assume they do), then why not? It's no more or less useless than a ton of other pursuits that keep humans occupied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

At least in a sport you can improve your fitness. The words they are required to spell will never be used again in their lives. The kids don't even know/or care what the words mean. They've just mastered the process at arriving at the correct spelling...and just plain old memorization. Impressive but useless.

One can say this about a lot of things. DS is a kid who is great at learning impressive but useless skills - solving a rubik's cube really fast, reciting 100 digits of pi while juggling, playing a piano upside down...if the kids want to do it (and I do question that at some level, but let's assume they do), then why not? It's no more or less useless than a ton of other pursuits that keep humans occupied.

+1 Has the PP even seen a spelling bee? They always ask for the definitions of the word. If you don't think it's improving their reading comprehension and writing abilities and plain old learning how to work at something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

At least in a sport you can improve your fitness. The words they are required to spell will never be used again in their lives. The kids don't even know/or care what the words mean. They've just mastered the process at arriving at the correct spelling...and just plain old memorization. Impressive but useless.

One can say this about a lot of things. DS is a kid who is great at learning impressive but useless skills - solving a rubik's cube really fast, reciting 100 digits of pi while juggling, playing a piano upside down...if the kids want to do it (and I do question that at some level, but let's assume they do), then why not? It's no more or less useless than a ton of other pursuits that keep humans occupied.

+1 Has the PP even seen a spelling bee? They always ask for the definitions of the word. If you don't think it's improving their reading comprehension and writing abilities and plain old learning how to work at something.

PP here. Yes, I've seen many spelling bees. I watch that one every year (I even switched between the Bee and the NBA Finals Game 1 and I'm a big basketball fan). The asking for the definition of the word is part of the method/process which is taught by the coach. It helps them learn the origin and the spelling of similar words or the root of the word. Of course it improves their ability to work hard at something...nobody is questioning that. Stop being so defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I watched the whole thing. I love the spelling bee! I am amazed at how those final eight did not miss. Unprecedented! It reminds me of how James Holzhauser (sp?) is “breaking” Jeopardy.

I didn’t click on your thread earlier because, on DCUM, discussion of the spelling bee usually devolves into bashing of Indian-Americans and tons of stereotypes.

I'm an earlier poster who said the bee was losing it's charm. I didn't want to go there and I really don't want to bash Indian-Americans, but the bee is also losing its charm because it is turning into a thing for only one cultural sub-group. I get that Indians approach spelling bees the same way whites approach soccer (as an example) but that also makes it less fun and makes it harder to relate to the bees.

I don't think it's Indian-American bashing to lose interest in the spelling bee. If it's an event that you can't relate to the participants, then your interest can wane. I've heard the same thing about professional basketball from white people. They love college basketball because they can relate to many of the white kids (especially those who choose to stay at the school for 4 years). However, they often complain about the rich, entitled, black professional players who only stay in college for 1 year. I won't even get into the love for baseball and hockey (eventhough most hockey players are Russian or Canadian).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

NP. Some sports are ridiculous too.

You know what else tiger moms have ruined? Mathcounts. In the exact same way. It’s become so competitive I think it turns more kids off than inspires kids to want to “play”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching? Who’s the guy reading the words? He’s got amazing stamina. I’d be slurring my words at this point.

I think it was Will Shortz.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching? Who’s the guy reading the words? He’s got amazing stamina. I’d be slurring my words at this point.

I think it was Will Shortz.

No. Will Shortz does the crosswords. The announcer is Jacques A. Bailly who won the 1980 Scripps National Spelling Bee and serves as the Bee's official pronouncer, a position he has held since 2003.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

OP here. Yes, not sure that's very fair. Also, the kids seem to be spending huge amounts of time preparing, which probably isn't healthy for most kids. This article sums up that sentiment:

"Once a paean to an increasingly obsolete skill, a delightful competition that could be won by correctly spelling “croissant,” the spelling bee has turned into a f*g nightmare. To become a champion speller these days, kids must study dozens of hours every week, and it’s become so hyper-competitive that parents now hire private coaches to train their kids to do well in the spelling bee; coaching is almost a requirement for those who wish to advance to the final rounds. Elite spellers “spend practically every waking hour studying in preparation for this moment,” in the words of the Washington Post."

https://jezebel.com/im-not-afraid-to-say-the-spelling-bee-is-sucks-1835146521

Are you equally critical of the kids in travel soccer?

NP. Some sports are ridiculous too.

You know what else tiger moms have ruined? Mathcounts. In the exact same way. It’s become so competitive I think it turns more kids off than inspires kids to want to “play”.

Tiger Moms has also pretty much ended homework in many VA public elementary schools. They hire private tutors and have their kids attend afterschool programs like Kumon and Mathnasium so they've pushed for less "official" homework from the schools. This leaves the kids without the means or time to do the outside work at a disadvantage. It's really a shame when I hear parents complain that their kids don't get any homework because I know they are falling behind the kids with parents who can afford the outside help. That's not really meeting the goals of the public school system.

[Anonymous]

I think it is a mistake to have 8 winners. It is part of our superlative and qualitative culture where every kid gets a ribbon and we don't want anyone to feel like they lost or left out. I don't see why those 8 are more special and deserving than the other thousand or so who were defeated earlier in the competition. The children should keep being quizzed on words until there is a winner. IMO it is a big mistake to award the championship to 8 children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is a mistake to have 8 winners. It is part of our superlative and qualitative culture where every kid gets a ribbon and we don't want anyone to feel like they lost or left out. I don't see why those 8 are more special and deserving than the other thousand or so who were defeated earlier in the competition. The children should keep being quizzed on words until there is a winner. IMO it is a big mistake to award the championship to 8 children.

They ran out of words to give the kids. They weren’t doing it to be nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason there were so many winners is that you can now buy your way into the spelling bee. I am no longer interested in watching. A parent can pay $1500 to compete. The spelling bee should only be comprised of winners of their regional tournament.

http://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/RSVBee%20FAQ%20expanded%20list%202019.pdf

No. That's not why there were 8 winners. While you can buy your way into the competition, you can't buy your way into the national finals. I agree that only the regional winners should compete in the national bee but there are times when there are multiple regional winners who deserve to compete on the national level.

The reason why there were 8 winners is because it has become such a process (coaches, 100% involvement, etc.) and many families have perfected that process. It took many years but I think this is what we're going to see for the foreseeable future.

They ran out of words because there used to be around 250 kids participating and now there are around 500 because of all the kids who bought their way in.