The Curious Disappearance of Cursive Writing

 I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but...

...why exactly did schools decide cursive was the skill that had to go?

I'm told it's because we needed more time for technology. Fair enough. Kids should know how to use a keyboard. But somehow they can spend hours learning standardized test strategies and social media trends, yet fifteen minutes a day teaching handwriting became too much?

Call me crazy, but three thoughts cross my mind.

First, if nobody can read cursive anymore, fewer people can read old letters, journals, family records, and even parts of our own history without someone translating it for us. That's an odd way to preserve the past. It means that someone else (the government) will have to recreate those documents and translate for younger generations. Think about the things that will probably be "lost in translation".

Second, it seems that the less we write by hand, the more dependent we become on devices. Every note, reminder, and idea now belongs to a phone, tablet, or cloud server somewhere instead of on a piece of paper. No more analog thoughts. Only digital ones that can be tracked and somehow monetized with ads. Funny how independence quietly became inconvenience.

Third, signatures are slowly becoming meaningless. Today's kids are growing up in a world where a fingerprint or face scan matters more than their own handwriting. Maybe that's progress. Maybe it's just one more thing we're handing over to technology.

Do I actually believe there's a secret meeting where people plotted the downfall of cursive? Maybe. Maybe not.

But I do think we've become a little too eager to throw away simple skills because they're "old-fashioned." Not everything from the past deserves to stay there.

Sometimes common sense isn't asking if something is old. It's asking whether replacing it actually made us better.

Young People: Your Clothes Speak Before You Do

There's an old saying that goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

Beautiful sentiment.

Too bad society never got the memo.

Whether we like it or not, people make assumptions before we ever open our mouths. They judge our hairstyle, our shoes, our posture, our facial expressions, and yes... our clothes. Is it fair? Not always. Is it reality? Every single day.

Common sense tells us that first impressions matter because people are wired to make quick decisions. Before someone hears your intelligence, experiences your personality, or appreciates your work ethic, they've already built a mental profile based on what they see.

That's why attire isn't about vanity. It's about strategy.

Dress for the Opportunity You Want

Too many people insist, "People should accept me for who I am."

In a perfect world, they would. In the real world, perception opens doors long before personality gets the chance.

Imagine showing up to a job interview wearing gym shorts and flip-flops. You might be the smartest applicant in the room, but you've already created doubt before answering the first question.

Now imagine attending a funeral dressed for the beach or walking into a courtroom wearing clothes better suited for a gym. Your outfit instantly communicates that you either don't understand the moment or don't respect it. Nowadays, it's usually the latter.

Clothing has always been a language. The only question is whether you're speaking it fluently.

Every Environment Has a Uniform

Not every uniform comes with a badge. Business professionals wear suits because they project competence. Construction workers wear safety gear because the job demands protection. Doctors wear lab coats because patients associate them with trust and expertise. Athletes wear uniforms because they represent a team.

Even casual environments have unwritten dress codes.

You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to mow the lawn. You probably wouldn't wear pajamas to a wedding (although I think that I've seen it before).

Context matters.

Dressing appropriately isn't pretending to be someone else. It's showing respect for the occasion and the people around you.

The Reality of a Prejudicial Society

Let's stop pretending prejudice only exists in major social issues because folks prejudge everything.

Restaurants, neighborhoods, cars, businesses, and people.

That doesn't mean we should encourage prejudice. It means we should understand how the world works.  You can't always control someone else's assumptions, but you can control the information you give them. 

Your appearance becomes part of your introduction.

Why make your first sentence harder to overcome?

Confidence Begins Before the Conversation

Something interesting happens when you dress with intention.

• You stand differently.
• You walk differently.
• You communicate differently.
• Your confidence often rises to meet your presentation.

It's not because expensive clothes magically create confidence. It's because preparation creates confidence. When you know you look appropriate for the situation, one less distraction exists between you and your goal.

Common Sense Isn't About Expensive Labels

This isn't an argument for designer brands or thousand-dollar suits. It's about cleanliness, neatness, and appropriateness. 

You don't need a luxury wardrobe to make a strong impression. You simply need to understand where you're going and dress accordingly.

A well-fitted outfit from a discount store will almost always outshine an expensive outfit that's wrinkled, stained, or completely inappropriate for the occasion.

The Bottom Line

Life gives everyone enough obstacles without volunteering to create new ones. If changing your shirt, cleaning up your shoes, or putting on the right outfit increases your chances of being taken seriously, why fight that reality?

Your clothes won't define your character, but they often determine whether people stay around long enough to discover it.

And that's not shallow. That's reality.

The Bulls, the Lion, and American Politics

One of Aesop's lesser-known fables tells the story of several bulls grazing together in a field. A lion wants to eat them, but as long as the bulls stand united, he cannot attack. Frustrated, the lion spreads rumors and creates distrust among them. Eventually, the bulls separate from one another. Once isolated, they are easily picked off one by one.

Sound familiar? 

Modern politics has become a never-ending exercise in division. Americans are encouraged to view neighbors, coworkers, and even family members not as fellow citizens but as enemies. Political parties, media outlets, influencers, and social media algorithms profit from outrage. The more divided we become, the more power flows to those who benefit from the chaos.

The lion in Aesop's story didn't defeat the bulls through strength. He defeated them through division.

Today's political operatives understand the same lesson. Convince people that every disagreement is a battle, every election is the end of democracy, and every opponent is beyond redemption. Once citizens stop seeing common interests, they become easier to manipulate.

None of this means we should abandon our principles. Bulls don't have to agree on everything to stand together against a common threat. A healthy society requires debate. It also requires recognizing that most Americans want many of the same things: safe communities, economic opportunity, and a better future for their children.

The lion's strategy worked thousands of years ago because the bulls forgot who their real adversary was.

Aesop would probably recognize our politics immediately. The only question is whether we recognize the lesson.

The answer: we do not.