to think why is it always the straight A students that sod off and join terrorists?

[OhBuggerItAgain]

to think why is it always the straight A students that sod off and join terrorists, its never the thickies?

do they know something we don't? I mean they are obviously really bright? or not - is it like when someone dies and everyone says how lovely the person was?

i suppose those are the ones we hear about, maybe?

I don't know the answer.

However if you were a terrorist organisation would you target the thick as pig shit, can't do as they are told and are a liability student or the intelligent, may have something to offer one?

Quite often really clever people - young people - are not fulfilled by the standard curriculum / opportunities and expectations of them. Some turn to drugs, some risky behaviour - some are going to do this - the ultimate rebel action. So sad, but I don't know what the answer is.
One thing that has been puzzling me is this. How come the dragons at Gatwick security can detect my undeclared lipstick at the bottom of my travesty of a handbag but they can't stop 3 unaccompanied young girls travelling a known route to do this? Really?

The 'thick as pig shit' probably don't hit the headlines when they head off to Syria.

Hate that expression. Very Daily Mail.

It could be because they are under a lot of academic pressure at home (hence the good grades), so joining a terrorist organisation offers a way out of an oppressive home life? Just a thought.

If I was the sort of organisation that puts suicide vests on people and point them in the general direction of their target, I imagine I'd want the thick ones.
Exam results are no measure of intelligence anyway.

What's so DM about 'thick as pig shit'? It's a great phrase.

I don't know either but I've been wondering where sixteen year old school kids get the money to travel all that way.

How many Britons have travelled to Syria in, say, the last year?

I doubt very much that schoolgirls are representative of the group as a whole.

I suspect that good academic progress is one of those things some media latch on to where they can, a bit like price of house. It doesn't really add to the story, but appeals to their audience.

The underlying message - that anyone can be radicalised, irrespective of demographic markers - shows there is no easy 'solution'

I remember my Geography teacher telling me that young people who joined cults were always very intelligent. This was over 25 years ago. I was probably loudly pondering how anyone could be stupid enough to be brainwashed.

No I meant 'Straight A students' Random

Ah, ok. Soz.

Mixed up teenage feelings combined with an idea that they are superior thinkers who have the right answers unlike their loser parents.

I have no sympathy for these girls. They are aware of the barbarous antics of IS, if they want to join, then let them get on with it.

Sorry Random, I see now it was the post before it looked like i was commenting on.

I imagine it might be the anguish that goes along with being very clever. It's not always a nice thing and your intelligence can actually be a liability a lot of the time. Plus the tendency for those who are above average in intelligence to feel separate and superior which feeds into a detached and emotionless view of the world.

Just a guess, of course.

I've just has a look via that font of all accurate information, Google.

There are several reputable pages putting the number travelling from UK to IS in Syria at about 5 per week in the second half of 2014 (with estimates of total numbers varying from 500-2000 depending on which period being considered).

And of course that's the ones who were 'known' for any reason or whose journey was fairly obvious. Travellers via many third countries might not be noticed.

Or, conversely, to, feel separate and inferior, by virtue of aforementioned anguish and perhaps an inability to relate well to the average person.

They're obviously not that bloody clever.

Well if they think they are 'oppressed by their families' over here - they've got one hell of a shock coming, haven't they?

Could part of this story be ambitious responsible parents (who have raised girls who value being brainy and doing their best): and those same parents raised the alarm & are more cooperative to get them back because the parents quickly recognise the folly of the cause?

I was probably loudly pondering how anyone could be stupid enough to be brainwashed.
There is a huge difference between academic capability and intelligence. My son has AS. He is in his second year of university, getting mostly firsts. He has to have an escort to get him from digs to uni. Help cooking, help shopping. He needs to be reminded to eat and drink as he can become so involved in his work that he forgets and becomes ill without even realising. He used to be easily led and easily swayed, often just by somebody being friendly, although between us and the uni staff we're getting there and he now questions motives. It's all too easy to get drawn into and to see the logic of something like this if you are vulnerable but bright.

'It could be because they are under a lot of academic pressure at home'

Malibu Yeah I think there could be something in that. Or they have the type of parents who don't show much interest in them as people - only in what they achieve.