Lazy is only a positive word when it is used to describe a Sunday afternoon.  It is never a positive term in light of schooling, work, or service ethic.  Yet, the Washington Post writes that many college students may be experiencing grade inflation that is making students lazy.  Click here to read more.    The article suggests that professors have slacked up on their grading which makes college less-demanding, giving students more down time or lazy time. 

I don't think it's fair to put all the blame on the professors.  Our culture has changed significantly since the generation in comparison, the 1960's.  With the increase in technology and decrease in physical labor, our entire population has become lazy.  And not only that, but we have developed a sense of entitlement that makes us think that we deserve better grades for less effort.  Unfortunately, this attitude starts much earlier than college as elementary school teachers are forced to deal with parents who think their child is entitled to a certain grade because of their effort, however insignificant that may be. 

As far as the lasting implication for grade inflation?  The educational institution whose reputation is at stake will suffer most in the long run.  The students, too, will experience difficulties as they transition into the workplace where there are certain expectations about what you ought to know and how well you ought to know it, despite what your GPA says.  In general, the workplace, as they offer training to new hires, will correct any deficits in knowledge that result from college grade inflation.  So, for the student out there, it's best, even if it's not the easiest, to work as hard as you can...and if it seems too easy for college, it probably is which means you need to pursue the topic on your own.