You know the Mark Twain quote.
But how does it apply to you?
Real education is simple:
Live life.
Follow your interests.
You go to a yoga class not because you “have to.” You chose to.
You buy a book not because you “have to.” You chose to.
You even work a job (at minimum) because you chose it as the best option to create a quality of life.
“But without school, every kid would only play video games!”
I hear the concern. You desire to see children do activities that cultivate meaning, growth, contribution, and purpose.
You don’t want kids to miss out.
(Wait, so compel them to learn pre-packaged subjects for 12 years and 15,000 hours?)
“Playing video games all day,” (while we may have a visceral response to the notion) is a deep diving, immersion experience based on excitement and motivation.
Is it possible to become addicted to video games?
Yes, but you can also become addicted to buying classical music CD’s.
(Addiction is the symptom of a deeper issue, seeking to resolve a pain in one’s life. Maybe, maybe that pain is going to school all week).
I’m not saying education doesn’t happen in school. It simply is not the fundamental of school.
School is standardized, extrinsically motivated, devoid of play time, freedom, and autonomy.
Fundamentally, it’s involuntary.
But Here’s the Kicker
If you disagree about the nature of school, my only question is:
Have you looked in the mirror at your own school experience?
Truth is: 95% of the population went to compulsory school for 12-20 years of their formative lives.
And it didn’t affect you?
Inside you there is a little kid. She wants to play. She is bursting with creativity. She is autonomous and curious. She thinks for herself. She listen to her elders, but critically, without reflexive compliance.
That kid did not want to go to school.
But she loved to learn.
But, but, but…. I really liked school!
Awesome. I genuinely believe your experience is valid.
If it’s 100% valid, there ain’t no harm in examining it.
