11 replies to this topic

[Eonist1]

I do not live in the US.
Yet I've heard that there are some serious issues with public education. People aren't getting good results, they are not well informed, and most likely do not wish to be taught general knowledge.
It is not a surprise, that even in my country the rates of general education are in quite bad conditions. The truth is, that compared to the past, we have to process significantly more information than our ancestors. But isn't the purpose of education to improve the human race as a whole? It is only logical that with advancing time, more discoveries will be made ergo more information has to be passed on to the next generation.

I've been recently involved in Creation vs. Evolution debate, defending the scientific position, obviously. I do not persecute anyone's religious beliefs, but facts are facts. The people on the other side of the debate are not educated on the topic of biology, and they are not even willing to read through articles I send them. It's sad how some people reject knowledge.

Aside from creationism is the naivity and gullibility of the masses to pseudoscientific and esotheric products that are being advertised. Of course, I cannot really blame the advertisers for doing so because they just want to profit at the lowest cost. and they found a perfect prey. It's just some selfish gene kicking in. It's something we all share, even though I do not find the lack of contribution to overall progress of humanity very compelling. At least they know how to take care of themselves (not that I support scams). But it is the gullible masses that concern me. Horoscopes, Astrology, Homeopathy, Telepathy, Esotherics in general... etc. All of these are good selling products even though their value might only be in placebo effects or none at all. It is the fault of our system that does not educate the masses as much as it should. If people could distinguish real science and products of good quality from scams, the distributors of this delusion (whether they believe it themselves or not) would be without flock to prey on.

I do not want spirituality and mysticism to be extinguished entirely. It is a necessary part of our evolution. It has its part in our history. But it should be controlled and people should be educated.

I don't believe humanity will go extinct because of being mostly stupid. The elite will always keep their smart control over their flock. It is just individual humans that concern me.

What do you think? Is it a serious issue? If so, then what solutions do you propose? Discuss.

[truthiness]

I think someone is a fan of Richard Dawkins...

Fortunately, this modern wave of evangelical backwardness seems to be confined to the US. The world will make it through to brighter future, without the US if necessary.

All we can do is teach our children to remain skeptical - to enjoy fantasy as fantasy, to understand the difference between what is make-believe and what is real, and to question others when they learn something incredible. Ask how it works. Ask why. Question authority. Skepticism is contagious - much moreso than dogmatic religion. It'll be alright.

[Eonist1]

I kind of like Dawkins. I like when he argues against creationism. When he goes on with God Delusion, it's kind of "in your face". But I like him anyway. He is kind of a disliked star of skepticism.

Aside from that, shouldn't there be a better system that would focus more resources on training and educating the future generations, so that the productivity would progress? There could be an entirely new way of transferring information than by low-paid teachers. Not that there should be no teachers, but seriously the government should finance the schools with technology and materials, and qualified people as well.

[Unrequited Lust]

We'll be fine. The world has grown increasingly secular and will continue to do so. Science has provided everything we depend on. It has given us technology, civilization. What has religion given us? Aside from some laudable works of art and literature, nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Or, as Stephen Hawking says, "There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, [and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win because it works."

[RCM88x]

I have a first hand view on the public education of the U.S. In my mind the problem is simply motivation. Most people have the brains to do great in school its just a matter of if they want to or not.

[Prolite]

I have a first hand view on the public education of the U.S. In my mind the problem is simply motivation. Most people have the brains to do great in school its just a matter of if they want to or not.

That's exactly correct. The generation of children today are a bunch of lazy and unmotivated slackers. More money isn't going to fix the educational system. The problem is one of culture - - that children of today don't want to learn, and I'd say that's a pretty freakin' hard problem to fix. The best way to fix education in the United States is to capture the fantasy and imagination of young people. Sounds like a pipe dream.

[jjf3]

Well, reform is always hard, because us conservatives hate that word. But this is a subject I am quite liberal on. As computers and yes, even tests/information about oneself becomes widespread. I can see a system being developed based on the individual. After learning their basics alphabet, basic math and so on.

Kids do not like the school system because it is outdated. Government funded schooling doesn't work anymore. That's why you see specifically focused technology based private schools popping up. There are a few already in California that teaches people to use your imagination to solve world wide problems and to create your own companies. We desperately need something like this to continue and perhaps take the place of the modern school system.

Steve Wozniak says that schools are big on testing and repetition and students "are not allowed different ways to think.”

School is stressful and not fun. When kids get older they hate school, when they are younger they love it!!! Ever wonder why? In college things are fun, because you get a lot of free time to yourself and friends and you are not sitting on your ass 6 hrs a day! Plus you get to learn about what you want to learn about. Usually.

The schools popping up in California are startup specific schools that are not accredited and are fairly competitive with the prices of regular colleges and are usually cheaper because these schools are only one or two semesters in length. If you are heading into a career in tech, this is fairly a more prestigious option for you.

The media and textbook literature are also another problem with education. Did you know most people get their news stories from late night comics like Jon Stewart? Schools have certain banned books, and a summer reading list of specific books! People don't research and that is why we see things like OWS popping up now. People are calling it an awakening when this stuff has been in place and going on since the early 1900s. Schools don't teach New World Order conspiracy theories though :-)

If you were to bring up the banking cartel and the 1% of the world's most powerful money pushers 5-10 years ago, people would have called you crazy. Believe me. I was reading books on the subject long before OWS came around. Today this is daily news and daily fact! Another reason I don't sympathize with these people too much.

[Eonist1]

It's all complicated!

Screw it! I'm waiting for neurochips to come out. Then I'm going to download all necessary sciences into my brain.
And I shall be god!

Maybe I'll help developing them one day if I have the luck.

[Deadbolt]

We're getting smarter and more educated all the time en masse. It's just that some people want to stay in the dark and that's shocking to we people who want to go forwards.

[KingstonDon]

If you were to bring up the banking cartel and the 1% of the world's most powerful money pushers 5-10 years ago, people would have called you crazy. Believe me. I was reading books on the subject long before OWS came around. Today this is daily news and daily fact! Another reason I don't sympathize with these people too much.

Your reason for not sympathizing with OWS is wrongfully placed jjf.
As an observant of history you must realize that protests & revolts are not caused by people "seeing" or knowing of the injust being done to them, the human psyche is not quite going to revolt when they know they're being ass raped.
Rather there's a need for a conjunction of factors beside that, what usually is enough is an increase food prices and other essential goods like housing (See: Israeli protests).

You might think you were "special" by knowing all about what's going on today and feel like OWS were fools just starting this protest now as if this wasn't going on in the last 20 years. But thinking like that you miscalculated the fact that what drives protests is less knowledge of the injustice, rather knowledge of the injustice + feeling a collective injustice (i.e Rising food prices, Housing prices, Utility prices) => Things you need to live.

A great history teacher once told me that is only when hungry that the masses will rise. An observation deducted from studying history.
(Tunisia saw rising food prices as well just before the Spring broke out)
It's not right 100% of the time, not even 90% but it is a main factor.

[Unrequited Lust]

If you were to bring up the banking cartel and the 1% of the world's most powerful money pushers 5-10 years ago, people would have called you crazy. Believe me. I was reading books on the subject long before OWS came around. Today this is daily news and daily fact! Another reason I don't sympathize with these people too much.

Your reason for not sympathizing with OWS is wrongfully placed jjf.
As an observant of history you must realize that protests & revolts are not caused by people "seeing" or knowing of the injust being done to them, the human psyche is not quite going to revolt when they know they're being ass raped.
Rather there's a need for a conjunction of factors beside that, what usually is enough is an increase food prices and other essential goods like housing (See: Israeli protests).

You might think you were "special" by knowing all about what's going on today and feel like OWS were fools just starting this protest now as if this wasn't going on in the last 20 years. But thinking like that you miscalculated the fact that what drives protests is less knowledge of the injustice, rather knowledge of the injustice + feeling a collective injustice (i.e Rising food prices, Housing prices, Utility prices) => Things you need to live.

A great history teacher once told me that is only when hungry that the masses will rise. An observation deducted from studying history.
(Tunisia saw rising food prices as well just before the Spring broke out)
It's not right 100% of the time, not even 90% but it is a main factor.

Why do you even try lol

[jjf3]

Your reason for not sympathizing with OWS is wrongfully placed jjf.

You might think you were "special" by knowing all about what's going on today and feel like OWS were fools just starting this protest now as if this wasn't going on in the last 20 years. But thinking like that you miscalculated the fact that what drives protests is less knowledge of the injustice, rather knowledge of the injustice + feeling a collective injustice (i.e Rising food prices, Housing prices, Utility prices) => Things you need to live.

My reasons for not being supportive of OWS are listed throughout the OWS thread.

I for one am content with the system. I am content that I know I have a bright future ahead of me. I know I need help to get things started, and I know I will have to repay those who have helped me in the future. I plan to be successful in my life and I have big dreams that can change the world! I know the system will not change and any "better" system won't really be. The "better" system would be a sugar coated lie allowed by the elites and the current government, if they indeed are listening to anything OWS is saying.