Dan McKeown

In my humble opinion I believe this to be a poor analogy. I can appreciate Ben Stein’s point and do not disagree with the sentiment of the piece. However, to state that anyone who was “born on third base…and you think you hit a triple” is an over simplification and a disservice to all generations. Yes, those who are born into a position of privilege do have a distinct advantage compared to their parents or even some of their peers, this does not mean that they have a guarantee or free pass for the rest of their lives. They (or we if you will) are starting their own at bat in a completely different inning, to continue the analogy. This is why I think that description is poor, the goal of most parents is to raise their children to be good human beings and give them opportunities the parents never had. If this continues generation after generation it would appear that we have all rounded the “bases” of life a few times over yet I will not boast to have hit multiple home runs. I appreciate how hard my parents have worked to allow me the opportunities I have and, here is where I agree with Mr. Stein’s main point, I certainly can and should do more to let them know this. Do not belittle what struggles and goals lie ahead of me by saying I have been placed on third and have little to do to reach home. I might just be playing a different sport altogether.

Mykala

Dan, It surprises me that you had such a reaction to that piece. It seems to me that you completely ignored the issue Stein is raising, and jumped right to attacking a point that I don’t think he was trying at all to make. You say that his analogy of being “born on third base… and you think you hit a triple” is a disservice/misrepresentation, and then go on to explain how people born into a position of privilege aren’t guaranteed a free pass, yada yada yada. However, I think the ENTIRE POINT of Stein’s essay is the latter half of that quote, which is to say: there is no problem with being born on third base, as many people in our peer group were, but to go through life from this place of privilege as if we somehow earned it is the real travesty. You say Stein “belittles what struggles and goals lie ahead of you” and I don’t see that at all. I see a man who went through his whole life (as many, many people do) not seeing the hard work and sacrifice that went into his privileged position trying to save a few thousand others from making that same mistake. He’s not saying, “How easy you’ve got it now that you’re parents did all the work for you.” He’s simply suggesting that we acknowledge that work, and go from there.

“Be smarter than Ben Stein ever was. Be a better person than I ever was. Right now, today, thank your parents for working to support you.”

But, I guess that’s just my two cents’ worth.

Dan McKeown

Mykala, I think you missed a few of my statements. I feel like a bit of a tool for what I am about to do but let me quote myself here:

“I can appreciate Ben Stein’s point and do not disagree with the sentiment of the piece.”

“I appreciate how hard my parents have worked to allow me the opportunities I have and, here is where I agree with Mr. Stein’s main point, I certainly can and should do more to let them know this.”

I tried to be certain I addressed the main point of the article once or twice to show that I do not disagree with it, merely the choice of the third base analogy. In fact, I whole heartedly agree that our parents deserve more appreciation for the sacrifices they have made for us rather than the bland dismissal they often receive as we take their work for granted. Even more, those who continue to take their position in life for granted, despite witnessing their parent’s hard work, are all the more deplorable for it. By no means was I attempting to attack Mr. Stein, I am actually a large fan of his. Between his hugely entertaining game show and his appearances in many movies and TV shows (most notably Ferris Bueller’s Day Off but equally unforgettable in The Mask) he has been a source of entertainment for decades. I was attempting to attack the “born on third” analogy that I have heard far too often.

Perhaps my word usage could have been improved in my first post, I do not believe Ben Stein was purposefully belittling anyone. Maybe I was even reading too much into the analogy and let that dominate my comment too much. Either way I do not take back what I said earlier. I do not fault Mr. Stein for taking his father’s work for granted as we have all done it but just like my word choice could have been better, I think his analogy could have as well.

Sorry that I did not address the main point of the article in greater detail, that was not my initial aim.

Mykala

Alright, alright. It just seemed a rather strong reaction to something I didn’t realized was controversial in any way.

Furthermore, I must say that I mostly enjoy Ben Stein’s performances in the Clear Eyes commercials, Casper, and Richie Rich starring Macauley Caulkin.

Sorry I started a rumble here. It’s been a really weird day.

Dan McKeown

Ben Stein was in Casper?

Also, I apologize as well, it has been a little stressful at Target recently and apparently I decided to use this link as my outlet. My hatred of the born on third base analogy actually comes from a Justice and Peace class I took my freshman year of college. I will leave it at that I suppose. Sorry Mykala!

Markoe

Someday I hope to win Ben Stein’s money.

Bueller? Bueller?

Sagert

Didn’t Jimmy Kimmel host that show?

Markoe

He did, and he would always call Mr. Stein inappropriate things like “my little butt nugget”. Probably one of the finer game shows I’ve ever watched.