It's the period being outside the quotes that does it

Pretty goofy askmefi question (with way too much emphasis on the word 'panties' in the responses), but the notable part of it is that the boyfriend, from the quote, appears to be Roast Beef.

Molding malleable brains for fun and maybe some profit, someday, on their end

I'm pretty sure I already linked to a sum-up of this study, but here's another writeup. It's the study wherein it was determined that kids will work harder and do better in school if praised for effort rather than intelligence. Like probably half of the people who read this, I completely have the illustration example problem, wherein I give up really easily if a new skill doesn't jump into my waiting hands. It's not even for fear of failure anymore, it's more that I don't know how to proceed. I mean, I'm getting better at this, but it's still weird.
Regardless, I've been trying, while teaching, to follow this rule. I have no idea if it's working or anything, and I'm teaching adults, but oh well. Might be helpful, who knows.
I was somewhat annoyed at that mom the article interviewed who said that it was too goofy to talk that way. Duh, there's a reason you do it the way you do it. Culture is strong.