High school Quote by John Paul Stevens
![“Admittedly, some high school students (including those who use drugs) are dumb. Most students, however, do not shed their brains at the schoolhouse gate, and most students know dumb advocacy when they see it. The notion that the message on this banner ['Bong Hits 4 Jesus'] would actually persuade…” quote by John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/39c/john-paul-stevens-12128_high-school_admittedly-some-high-school-students-inc_2018783.jpg)
““Admittedly, some high school students (including those who use drugs) are dumb. Most students, however, do not shed their brains at the schoolhouse gate, and most students know dumb advocacy when they see it. The notion that the message on this banner ['Bong Hits 4 Jesus'] would actually persuade either the average student or even the dumbest one to change his or her behavior is most implausible.””
About This Quote
Most students recognize nonsensical messages and are unlikely to be swayed by them.
In simple terms: Students see through empty slogans.
Key Takeaway
Question the impact of propaganda.
Themes
critical thinking
education
propaganda
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
legal
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- public health campaigns
- media analysis
Key Concepts
media literacy
psychology
adolescence
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a message persuasive?
- How to strengthen critical resistance?
A Different Perspective
Some may still be influenced despite skepticism.
![“Finally, one night we were smoking pot [with Michael O'Donoghue] and talking about the people that are invariably in high school, whether you go to prep school or public school or ghetto school or rich suburban school. And actually, it spun off from a Kurt Vonnegut quote.” quote by P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a43/p-j-o-rourke-184_ghetto_finally-one-night-we-were-smoking-pot-wi_324321.jpg)
