Are We Cutting Down the Tall Poppies?
If you're from Australia, the title of this piece is likely to make you feel right at home. Otherwise, you're probably at a loss. But as you will see, like many of its kind, this metaphor succinctly captures a central theme.
It was introduced to me by colleagues with whom I was working "down under." They wanted me to understand their social dynamics and they felt that this expression would go a long way towards that goal. In a few words, it taps directly into the strong egalitarian streak in Australian society. That's where the tall poppies come in.
One interpretation of equality (by no means, the only interpretation) is that no single individual stand out against the others. So for the tall poppies who "choose" to shine by reaching closer to the sky, there is only one solution. They have to be cut down.
The potential disadvantages are obvious. Within this perspective, outstanding individuals are seen not as treasured assets, but as disturbing challengers of the social order. Many business and educational leaders viewed the situation with dismay since it led many outstanding Australians to leave their homeland for venues that offered greater receptiveness for their talents.
I haven't been back to Australia for a number of years and the situation may have changed considerably. But my purpose in offering this expression is not to discuss the conventions on that continent. Rather, I raised it because it helps shed light on important developments in our own nation.
For decades, the USA has rightfully been seen as a nation of innovators and a place that allows innovation to flourish. But a recent article in Time magazine titled The Genius Problem raises serious questions about whether this is still a feature of American life.
Here are some of the markers that the article points out which reflect potentially serious problems:
1. U.S. schools spend $8 billion on the mentally retarded and just 10% of that on the gifted.
2. Because of the failure to meet their needs, gifted students drop out at the same rates as non-gifted kids--about 5% of both populations leave school early
3. The highest achieving students in six other countries, including Japan, Hungary, and Singapore, scored significantly higher in math than their bright U.S. counterparts.
We could go on and on, but these data make the point. We clearly seem to be shortchanging our best and the brightest. Admittedly, the issue is complex and no simple, quick fix is possible. However, what is possible--and possible NOW--is a serious discussion among all members of our society:parents, educators, government leaders, business leaders. The rights of others are not trampled when we nourish the tall poppies, while the lives of all of us suffer when they are not permitted to flourish. If our nation is to thrive, we must find a way to enable the tall poppies to thrive.
