Mike Rose is a sociologist who has studied the problem-solving abilities of blue collar workers. He argues that these workers are often underestimated and that they possess a kind of “brilliance” that is not always recognized. In his book, Blue Collar Brilliance, he provides various examples of how blue collar workers are able to solve problems in creative and effective ways.
Rose’s work has important implications for how we think about intelligence and ability. His research challenges the common assumption that intelligence is primarily a matter of abstract reasoning and intellectual capacity. Instead, he shows that practical intelligence – the kind of intelligence needed to solve problems in the real world – is just as important, if not more so.
Rose’s work is also significant for what it says about class and opportunity in America. He argues that blue collar workers are often disadvantaged not because they lack ability, but because they lack access to the kind of education and training that would allow them to develop and use their abilities to their full potential.
If we want to create a more just and equitable society, Mike Rose’s work suggests that we need to provide more opportunities for blue collar workers to develop their skills and talents. We also need to rethink the way we define intelligence, so that we can better recognize and value the abilities of all kinds of people.
The author of “Blue Collar Brilliance,” Mike Rose, claimed that because a blue-collar worker is intelligent and capable of participating in a democratic society, they should be included into the political process (Web). He debunked the contemporary notion that employees who don’t have college degrees are stupid.
Mike Rose used multiple case studies and real-world examples to explore how the average blue-collar worker is more intelligent than what society gives them credit for.
Mike Rose begins his essay by describing his mother’s profession as a waitress and how she applied her brilliance to the job (Rose 3). He goes on to say how people in lower-class jobs are constantly problem solving. For example, a grocery store cashier needs to be able to handle various types of customer requests and complaints throughout their shift.
They also need to be able to work quickly and efficiently while still providing quality service. These are just some of the many examples Mike Rose provides that show how blue-collar workers are intelligent and capable individuals.
While Mike Rose’s essay is focused on blue-collar workers, his arguments can be applied to all types of lower-class jobs. He provides insight into how these workers are often undervalued and misunderstood. Mike Rose’s “Blue Collar Brilliance” is a well-written and eye-opening piece that challenges the biases of today’s society.
He began by describing the struggles of his mother and uncle who toiled as laborers and demonstrated a variety of abilities that took time and study to acquire. He went on to explain his discoveries regarding other comparable employment he studied in further detail. He described various types of talents including physical dexterity and tool usage competence, rhetorical skills, and financial administration that these employees had taken time and effort to develop.
Mike Rose argues that the current education system in America devalues and discourages these kinds of skills. Mike Rose emphasizes on how little attention is given to these practical intelligence in schools and how we should be changing the way we value work and education.
In his essay, “Blue Collar Brilliance,” Mike Rose discusses the various skills that blue-collar workers develop over the course of their careers. He argues that these skills are often undervalued by the education system, which instead focuses on academic intelligence. Rose emphasizes the importance of giving more attention to practical intelligence in order to better prepare students for the workforce.
Rose begins by sharing the experiences of his mother and uncle, who both worked blue-collar jobs. He describes the various skills they developed, including physical dexterity, tool-use competency, and rhetorical skills. He then goes on to discuss his findings from studying other blue-collar jobs. He concludes that these workers often have a greater understanding of financial management than those with higher levels of education.
Rose argues that the current education system in America devalues and discourages these kinds of skills. He emphasizes the need for schools to give more attention to practical intelligence in order to better prepare students for the workforce. Rose’s essay provides an insightful look into the world of blue-collar work and the importance of valuing all forms of intelligence.
My profession is to repair doors, light fixtures, faucets and anything else that requires fixing. Sometimes I don’t have the right tools for the job or can only work in a limited area because there may be someone’s desk blocking my access. The task still needs to get done so being resourceful and having experience in maintenance is key to resolving such issues.
Mike Rose dives into this topic in his book, Blue Collar Brilliance. Sociology is the study of people in groups and how those groups interact with each other. In Mike Rose’s book, Blue Collar Brilliance, he takes a look at how problem solving skills are not just exclusive to those who have higher education. The book looks into how people who work with their hands are able to do complex problem solving on a daily basis. Mike Rose argues that the reason why blue collar jobs are looked down upon is because they are seen as being easy when in reality, they are anything but easy.
Many times, people think that blue collar jobs are only about manual labor and that anyone can do them. Mike Rose shows that there is much more to blue collar jobs than meets the eye. He argues that those who work in blue collar jobs are some of the most brilliant people out there. They are able to take on complex problems and figure out how to solve them. Mike Rose’s book is a great example of how sociological research can be used to show that there is more to people than what meets the eye.
