topic: help me solve this inherent contradiction
I’m a school critic. I think schools are inherently bad to both the development of compassoinate people, as well as to the development of life-long learners, informed thinkers, etc. etc. People do learn in schools, however, most modern schools, in my opinion, are not built in the most efficient way to provide those things that we intend. For example, the push to get more and more students to go to college is also tied with the fact that college for most of those who are going is merely an economic tool to get access to certain jobs. I would argue that in most cases, colleges fail to develop truly “educated citizens,” as they’re supposed to do.
So…there’s the inherent contradiction. Schools are good in the sense that we need the degrees they give in order to have financial success in life. Since that is the case, I believe that we need to help the poor gain access to schools in order to have access to those financial tools. At the same time, in many cases we are providing funding to put people into schools that are simply not in a position to develop students in a healthy way both personally and intellectually.
But…here’s another twist. So long as tax money goes towards education in its various forms, the people and the gov’t, will want to know, “how well is this money being spent.” These has lead to the accountability movement, which views schools as a business investment. Instead of profits, we look at test scores, which inherently leads to inadequate education because test scores have a negative effect on learning and passion to learn.
I met a libertarian when I was bussing the country this fall. A very knowledgable and pleasant person. His view of politics, “anything big that is run by gov’t is bound to fail.” I thought about that over and over, and thinking about education, I see how it’s true. Government schools, so long as they are required to teach as they have for 100 years, are bound to fail to provide the best education possible.
The best schools, are those that don’t test. thatliberalmedia despite my initial misunderstandings, (which is natural in xangaland when people you’ve never met come in an throw a wrench in your thinking, or make statements that bring with them many beliefs about that person) made me think further about the role of government. The thing is, funding for schools is a double-edged sword, public schools are both necessary to ensure the poorest are able to go to school (which is good for them job-wise), while simultaneously providing those people with an education that is inherently substandard (because, by it’s nature, public schooling needs to be held accountable through testing).
Topic: politics in general
Ugh…what’s the lesson of 2004. The first lesson was how divided we are. But, the bigger lesson was how little we understand the other side. I’ve recently found my niche as a social democrat, but I think inherent in just about any political ideal are flaws. Honestly…I think we’re fucked anyway you look at it. Someone posted a comment on dara’s site, that we’re idealists when we’re young because we don’t have to worry about making money or paying the bills. Then reality kicks in. The reality is, in 50, 100, 200, years, we’re still going to be having these conversations. Was there was 1000 years ago. Yup. Poverty. Yup. Inequality. Yup. Is there less war, poverty, inequality, than there was 1000 years ago. I don’t think so. Despite our incredible technological advances, is there any reason to believe that in 1000 years we still won’t be facing the problems of poverty, war, and inequality? Nope.
I once read this book by Edward de Bono, the guy who coined the term, “lateral thinking.” As long as our fundamental views of the world remain the same, nothing will change. It’s the radical, out-of-the box ideas that change things, and no culture has ever been built on continuously viewing things radically. A lateral thinking culture would say, “we want to educate the poor, but we want schools w/out tests and grades, what can we do?”
The comment about being an idealist really hits hard, not just becaue my time is now consumed with worrying about making a dollar, but, because I realize how every generation thinks this is the one that will bring about a utopian society. And, part of the reason we believe that is our simplistic view of the world. I want to throw a wrench in the minds of every child and say, “by the way, over 100,000 people just died from a tsunami. Now there’s millions living in grief, and in conditions that will probably kill many more. So…when you start thinking about how you can improve the world, don’t forget that there’s one more problem in the world to deal with.”
My old supervisor said one of the most complimenting things to me yesturday, before taking it back. He said, “I was thinking about what you said, [about being a famous 23-year old school critic] and I thought, maybe you are the one. Maybe you don’t need to be an old professor to criticize school. The internet was a 1 in a million thing, started by a young person…but, not to take anything away from you, I don’t think you’re that person.” OUCH…I thought, but he’s right. I believe deep I won’t be the 1 in a million to revolutionize education, however, tell a young athlete they’ll never win a gold medal.
I was watching swimming the other day…to spend your whole life trying to be the best swimmer. It’s simultaneously silly, to make a life out of swimming and to probably never meet your goal, as well as inspiring and wonderful, to do something you love and to strive for something seemingly unattainable. I guess that’s my take on life, you get one shot, why not try something ridiculous with it, something fun and adventurous.
Life has become this double world of external and internal reality. Neither THE world, nor MY world, makes very much sense. Reading about history and politics has helped me grapple a bit w/ the external world, perhaps some advice on literature pertaining to the internal world. (i think learning more about buddhism/taoism will ground my thoughts in something bigger).
