Story Time, as they say:
Ya know, this story reminds me of something that happened to me in 3rd grade that has bothered me ever since. So And it used to really bother me badly and I'll explain why. Our 3rd grade teacher was pregnant and had to go on leave -- a very incompetent substitute came in for the rest of the year and she really was not sharp at all. Only bringing this up because it's relevant, but I had my IQ tested in grade one and it was very above average. I often knew what she was saying was totally wrong.
I had been mesmerized and obsessed with space and becoming an astronaut as far back as I can recall -- since age 4 or earlier. So, someone in my 3rd grade class asked why the one side of planets was dark and the other was light. I knew this was because of the sun, but the teacher clumsily pulled something out of her ass saying "It's because of the mountains." I objected, but she insisted "It's because of the mountains." How scientific and accurate. Still, I decided to simply trust her -- who knows, it could be on a test and I want to get it right and know the truth -- I guess the mountains could play a role on the edge of where the light reaches.
Very shortly after, perhaps the next or same week, I had a mother-son trip with our cub scout troop to The Franklin Institute, complete with a sleepover. We explored the museum and did all sorts of awesome stuff, including watching a 500,000 volt lightning simulator. Amazingly, we even got to go on the roof and look through their very large telescope with the assistance of an astronomer.
At that time, my mom would just randomly brag to people about my intelligence (yeah, not appropriate and I really didn't like it, being put on the spot all the time.) She'd share my interests, tell people I worked well ahead in the math lesson plan, tell of my high IQ, etc. So here we are on the roof and it's finally my turn.
I'm really excited to look at Venus and my mom says to the astronomer something like, "Oh la-dee-da, my son loves space and he knows a lot, he has checked out every space book from the school library, la-dee-da! Ask him some questions!" Ugh. While it sort of sucked to be on the spot, I was eager yo talk to the guy. So the astronomer, part humoring her and part glad I'm passionate about the subject, asks me a simple question with an interested smile, "Why is Venus light on only one side?" Nervous to be talking to a real astronomer for the first time, with my mom looking on eagerly waiting for me to dazzle him with my knowledge, my mind goes back to the last informational input from my current 3rd grade teacher and I reply, "It's because of the mountains."
The astronomer's smile and interest immediately faded. He explained why I was wrong and my mom sympathetically patted me on the back, which just made me angrier. I felt like a complete moron because I repeated my moronic teacher's misinformation to the first actual scientist I'd ever spoken with at the base of this enormous telescope at a place dedicated to my then idol Ben Franklin! The astronomer stopped talking to me and it was like I wasn't there anymore -- he was ready for the next person...perhaps, he wouldn't be a fucking idiot. There went my opportunity for an awesome conversation beneath the infinite space and amazing stars. It was actually the only time I ended up speaking with an astronomer or using that telescope.
I really hated that teacher from then on even though she just frustrated me before. (Those fucking mountains, you bitch.) For the next 10-15 years, each time I'd recall the event, I'd really beat myself up internally and felt shitty and stupid and angry. It still bothers me somewhat and I hate that there are many teachers spreading false info to kids.
