Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Our society is being dumbed down in every conceivable way. People perform to the level of expectation. If expectation is low, accomplishment is low. I'm watching the Texas Rangers play the Oakland Athletics on television, having taught my two Ethics courses this morning. The announcers, Josh Lewin and Tom Grieve, have been singing the praises of Ranger pitcher Kevin Millwood, who pitched eight innings two days ago. Eight innings! They made it sound as though he did something heroic. Grieve, who used to play the game back when pitchers were expected to complete the games they started, praised Millwood for "having something left" when he departed. Then why did he depart? Why did he not finish the job he started? It's unbelievable. We expect almost nothing from starting pitchers. Is anyone surprised that we get almost nothing—and are awestruck when we get anything more? What a sad commentary on our society.