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From: edwards@uwmacc.UUCP (mark edwards)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Cheating vs. Learning (in the Wrath of Kahn)
Message-ID: <1555@uwmacc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-May-87 09:06:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwmacc.1555
Posted: Wed May 27 09:06:00 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 9-Jun-87 07:20:20 EDT
References: <305@phoenix.PRINCETON.EDU> <32@aimmi.UUCP>
Reply-To: edwards@unix.macc.wisc.edu.UUCP (mark edwards)
Organization: UW-Madison Academic Computer Center
Lines: 44
Keywords: Kobiyashi maru

In article <32@aimmi.UUCP> gilbert@aimmi.UUCP (Gilbert Cockton) writes:
>In article <305@phoenix.PRINCETON.EDU> mmtowfig@phoenix.UUCP (Mark Mehdi Towfigh) writes:
>>...................................  Cheaters are those people who care
>>SO much about these grades that they turn to desparate acts to get the
>>grades they want.  I personally don't care about what other people think
>>of my grades too much;  I'd rather pay attention to what I'm learning
>>and let good grades follow, and if I get a good grade, it's not the
>>end of the world, just an indication I should be working harder.
>
>The thing about any race is that people only remember WHO came first,
>not HOW they came first. Can you imagine setting Driving or Music
>examinations in this way? Or how about sports instructor exams?
>Here there are clear criteria for competence - you cannot pass merely
>by being one of the best, nor are you automatically failed for being
>one of the worst in the current test population (examiner expectations
>apart). In a criterion-based examination, everyone who meets the
>standard passes. 

  I know the topic has been beaten to death, but I couldn't resist 
  making this final observation.

  Now most of you have seen the movie "Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn".
  The movie starts out with a test called the "kobiyashi maru", star
  fleet personnel who take this test are not suppose to win. It is a test
  on how well they do under impossible conditions. Well, Admiral Kirk
  took it a couple of times, and he beat it the last time. He beat it
  by reprogramming the computer, or in other words he cheated. His 
  remarks were that "he doesn't like to lose".

  This scene is sure to bring a smile or some other positive emotion/
  feeling to anyone who sees it. The watchers are not embarassed that
  Admiral Kirk cheated, they admire him for it. I guess what this shows
  is that in some situations cheating is part of the game. Just where
  it applicable is another problem though.

  Another movie that has "cheating" in one way or another is Michael
  Fox's "The Secret of My Success". He also cheats in an innovative 
  way. We also admire him for doing it.

  mark
-- 
    edwards@unix.macc.wisc.edu
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