Wokeness: a study in knee socks and achievement certificates

It would take another 20-odd years before it became apparent that this was producing nothing more than entitled brats unable to cope with even the faintest diversity of opinion, and for whom exposure to mildly negative feedback caused cataclysmic trauma. At the time, bestowing undiscerning praise was seen as a terrific new way to produce well-adjusted human beings. So while the proto-wokes of the 1990s were noticeably lacking when it came to real abilities, let alone any spark of independent thought, this was politely overlooked by adults who mostly just felt a bit sorry for them. Accordingly, the proto-wokes were rewarded with attention and a constant supply of certificates for made-up achievements to do with “caring about others” and “making the world better”.

Can I borrow your pencil please, getting ahead in life by spouting ideological drivel that turns a blind eye to evidence?

Meanwhile, the rest of the kids gritted their teeth, rolled their eyes, and looked forward to the day when school would be over and they could all become adults and forget about this nightmare.

Wow. Where did everybody go?