In the last post, I wrote that I wrote about poor old Willy Loman who mistakenly brought up his son to be "well liked" and discounted the neighbor boy who studied for math. The neighbor boy becomes a lawyer and argues a case before the Supreme Court. Loman's son grows up confused and lost. 

Arthur Miller is clearly wagging his finger at American parents who put too much value on their children being the football hero. Being smart and a hardworker is clearly the better value. 

I thought that the play was dated, because who actually thinks that the high school football hero is going to be a success later in life? Hollywood is full of failed football hero tales. Andrew Garfield, the actor who played Biff, was also in the Social Network — a tale of the least popular guy becoming rich. I thought that most American parents want their kid to be the computer geek, rather than the football hero. 

Ragtime thinks I'm wrong and points to this Penelope Trunk post.

Question of the Day – If you had to pick one title for your kid (and only one), would you rather your kid was voted "Most Popular" or "Smartest." Why?