As our collective intelligence grows–what we know as Americans, as humans, about ourselves, about this planet, this universe–how shall we manage the education of the masses?
Should they be expected to know less, retain less, and do more, live more, because knowledge is now at their fingertips? Or should we instead aspire toward a populous of Einstein’s and Monet’s, of Shakespeare’s and Mandela’s? [For now, I’m choosing to ignore the future of greed.]
I’m not sure which is the correct path. One of self, the other humanity. Both worthy pursuits.
Yet, not one of these geniuses received the ideal education as defined by today’s standards.
I’ve had privileged academic opportunity and a challenging life. I spent much of my first 30 years studying, and the last 10 or so living. I’d like to think that my true education, my true wisdom, has come from balancing, from savoring both experiences.
We have many choices ahead, but how must we decide? To whom will we defer that judgment ? And to what end?
Hmmm. These are interesting questions Lorraine. Perhaps the best outcome would be for our children to learn to think and to appreciate the power of public discourse. These are loft goals. I know. But if we can learn to process information (like you say, we no longer need to memorize facts) and use that to make informed decisions, we’d be light years ahead of where we are today.
Well said Kim. I’m at this point you mention in my parenting, they no longer need my information, they need to learn to think for themselves.