Actually watching the RT coverage on the dreadful propaganda style teaching emerging in French schools reminds me of what I thought of education when I went to school. The syllabus of education is to create a 'world' for the minds of that generation to inhabit.
I also remember mostly a propogandist view of History. Even the books chosen for English Literature were a bit iffy, and trying to put anything in an essay that contradicted the political view posited by the 'establishment' was a recipe for a red line righ through every page. A well respected schoolteacher friend went on a world tour, and came back and said, 'I have taught Geography for 30 years, and it was all a load of 'shite'... the books were totally wrong, and that's what I was teaching'.
I think this is why schools must be independent, and the parents themselves choose the syllabus and methods of teaching. Children are naturally inquisitive. To sit in a class with no means of asking the questions you actually want answered is not my idea of a learning experience.
I was told my writing was illegible, and spelling so poor my books couldn't be marked. (Yeah, I thought there was an obvious contradiction in that statement too!) Lots of 'lines' after class as well! Still you can practice aerodynamics with them afterwards.
Anyway RT, you have the quote wrong. It is that 'Anyone who does not know their own History is condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past'. (My paraphrase). I am surprised that you missed that bit out. (I can't remember right now who said it). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana love the internet it is brilliantly lazy. I could have got out an encyclopedia! Nope I checked, my one volume slightly larger than pocket size goes from satan to satellite! Oops, missed out th 'n'. Yes he is listed, but no elaboration or quotes. Interesting, that Santa is an anagram of Satan, and Yana a part of Buddhist teaching. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yana_(Buddhism) (Well amongst other things).
I wonder what use having a shed load of stuff like this loose in my brain actually acheives, other than to help my Husband with the crossword when he is stuck.
It is a nice play on words for a philosopher. I kind of like the idea of religeous 'stuff', and philosophical stuff' being the head and tail of the same coin. I think the world would be a sorry place without the 'devils advocate'. Just a totalitarian world view, and not a shred of 'humanity' about the place. Just rules and regulations, and an ever diminishing population, as everyone would end up with their heads chopped off.
... again! Yes it's still to early to know what effect the French Revolution has on world History!
For once I would advocate a book burning! If that is not what you want your children taught, you could all get together in communes and have a book burning party. If the kids don't have the book, they can't learn from it. And no, I would not think some other books can find their way onto the bonfire! Tell you what, ship them over to Britain, and we will put them on our Guy Fawkes Bonfires for you!
Nah, like the thought, just get them recycled like responsible adults!
I also remember mostly a propogandist view of History. Even the books chosen for English Literature were a bit iffy, and trying to put anything in an essay that contradicted the political view posited by the 'establishment' was a recipe for a red line righ through every page. A well respected schoolteacher friend went on a world tour, and came back and said, 'I have taught Geography for 30 years, and it was all a load of 'shite'... the books were totally wrong, and that's what I was teaching'.
I think this is why schools must be independent, and the parents themselves choose the syllabus and methods of teaching. Children are naturally inquisitive. To sit in a class with no means of asking the questions you actually want answered is not my idea of a learning experience.
I was told my writing was illegible, and spelling so poor my books couldn't be marked. (Yeah, I thought there was an obvious contradiction in that statement too!) Lots of 'lines' after class as well! Still you can practice aerodynamics with them afterwards.
Anyway RT, you have the quote wrong. It is that 'Anyone who does not know their own History is condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past'. (My paraphrase). I am surprised that you missed that bit out. (I can't remember right now who said it). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana love the internet it is brilliantly lazy. I could have got out an encyclopedia! Nope I checked, my one volume slightly larger than pocket size goes from satan to satellite! Oops, missed out th 'n'. Yes he is listed, but no elaboration or quotes. Interesting, that Santa is an anagram of Satan, and Yana a part of Buddhist teaching. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yana_(Buddhism) (Well amongst other things).
I wonder what use having a shed load of stuff like this loose in my brain actually acheives, other than to help my Husband with the crossword when he is stuck.
It is a nice play on words for a philosopher. I kind of like the idea of religeous 'stuff', and philosophical stuff' being the head and tail of the same coin. I think the world would be a sorry place without the 'devils advocate'. Just a totalitarian world view, and not a shred of 'humanity' about the place. Just rules and regulations, and an ever diminishing population, as everyone would end up with their heads chopped off.
... again! Yes it's still to early to know what effect the French Revolution has on world History!
For once I would advocate a book burning! If that is not what you want your children taught, you could all get together in communes and have a book burning party. If the kids don't have the book, they can't learn from it. And no, I would not think some other books can find their way onto the bonfire! Tell you what, ship them over to Britain, and we will put them on our Guy Fawkes Bonfires for you!
Nah, like the thought, just get them recycled like responsible adults!
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