RE: Reforming Education

Joseph 1 (joseph1@neosapiens.org)
Thu, 7 Oct 1999 08:46:47 -0400

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clint O'Dell
> Sent:
Wednesday, October 06, 1999 4:15 PM
>
> Also, school should be optional. If schools were optional we as a people
> would be more free from government control (as a first step to not
allowing
> government to tell us what we can and cannot do), and education would
become
> a desire driven enterprise. Desire driven education is more successful
than
> obligated education.

While I realize it might offend the libertarian sensibilities of many here, I must say I could not disagree with this more. The increase of the education level of the general population is a desireable thing in and of itself, if for no other reason than it makes each individual more a more productive contributor to the economy.

Are you suggesting _all_ education be optional? How many 7-year-olds do you know who have a thirst for knowledge? By your scheme, we'd have a generation of functional illiterates who can't read a street sign or multiply 6x7. Guess what happens to your personal standard of living when the economy tanks because of the ensuing labor-quality crisis? When there's nobody around to run the machinery, the machinery stops.

A little government saying "You must learn enough to have the potential to be a productive member of society" isn't a bad thing; it's crucial.

Joseph 1 (joseph1@neosapiens.org)

Core Sphere Member - NeoSapiens Combine http://www.neosapiens.org

"NeoSapiens Awaken!"