9.06.2009

Generally? There’s No Such Thing

abnormalpurple

Generally, there’s no such thing as ‘generally.’

Did you know that public education funding comes directly out of the defense fund? Yep, it is. From the get-go, the average, everyday Joe is carefully molded to become the perfect soldier that does what he’s told; nothing more, nothing less.

Public education goes out of its way to “generally” produce externally motivated personalities with independent, critical thinking all but non existent. With across-the-board prescribed content and reinforced peer pressure, what results is generation after generation of passive sheep, ready and willing to do what they are told, nothing more, nothing less.

The affluent send their kids to private schools where the emphasis is on leadership of the masses – generally. Any school’s biggest threat is the students who fall outside the general norm, such as gifted or challenged learners.



Teachers are taught to teach based on accepted – and generalized – developmental psych theories that work most effectively in producing the non-thinking, passive soldier. The content is tailored to be deposited, spit back out on tests, then forgotten. There is no interaction with the content, no generalization (applicability to other scenarios) that comes from abstract thought, and inherently, very little is learned.

It’s the introverts, the thinkers, that have thrown a wrench into the works. Technology took hold and was socially adopted faster than anything ever has. Within a mere 25 or so years, the widespread use of computers and the Internet have altered social interactions in ways that scientists and psychologists have yet to discover.

Needless to say, with science and psychology falling farther and farther behind, so is education. The ‘perfect soldier’ is no longer the generally produced product of public schools.

The most profound crash is found around expectations. The masses have learned a far different way of building relationships with each other. Though the common man is distanced from each other by learned racism and discrimination and the breakdown of the nuclear family unit, online communication and collaboration has taken its place. Social norms and peer pressure come from around the world instead of the student sitting at the next desk. General expectations are shattered, if not totally non existent.

The altering of expectations is experienced across the life-span, not just during the formative, personality-forming years. The more interconnected we all are, the less we are impacted by regional societal norms. Yet, this greater interconnection with the world, so to speak, has opened the shut doors of individualization and reinforced separation that was necessary for the expansion of the Industrial Era.

What causes the most unease nowadays is exactly those altered, foreign and unique expectations. Interactions with each other can no longer fit into the traditional ‘comfort zone’ and what used to be ‘usual’ isn’t any longer. Life-stage resolutions are no longer common, general, or even normal.

This is the power of today, of the Information Age. How to take advantage of it, to realize this power, will not be taught in public schools. Each person must learn to learn on their own, without the restrictions of out-dated guidance and rules. Each person must become a critically thinking, introverted individual that is fully capable of forming true and lasting personal and interpersonal relationships.

Let self-actualization become the new “generally.” There is beauty in the unexpected potential, just like it is with this flower.

8 comments:

  1. Really informative post. Thanks for sharing; wasn't aware of quite a few of the points you brought out

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  2. Most of us don't have the time or energy to think about things like this, and even if you do run across it, who has the time or energy to think it through? If we have to take a 'developmental' standpoint on it, we're all stuck using up our energy to keep a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs.

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  3. I would have to say that it is no longer the affluent that are sending their kids to private schools. Although there are many large private schools that charge more money than some parents are willing to invest in their kids education, my son goes to a little small school held in a modest little church off the beaten path.

    Some of the parents of his classmates have held two jobs at places such as Burger King and Lowes in order to keep their kids out of public schools. They don't drive expensive new cars and most of their clothing is probably bought at thrift stores. (mine usually come from garage sales)

    Most have decided - as you put it so well..."Teachers are taught to teach based on accepted – and generalized – developmental psych theories that work most effectively in producing the non-thinking, passive soldier"

    When my son first attended public schools they were unbelievably persistent that I medicate him with a behavioral drug. They tried to pressure me into conforming with what was the norm. I am so glad I am as stubborn as I am. According to them my son would most likely grow up to abuse drugs and alcohol if I didn't medicate him.

    They couldn't have been more wrong. He is 18 and a well adjusted, happy young man with a good and stubborn head on his shoulders and compassion in his heart.

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  4. Now that I think about it, I probably should have said "drone" instead of soldier in that sentence. I have nothing but respect for those who choose to join the armed forces.

    Is the actual curriculum different at that small, private school? The only option I had was public school for my son, and I spent many conversations with him filling in the blanks of that so-called education.

    I'm glad you didn't listen, and I bet your son is glad too. Stubborn is good!

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  5. Yep, I agree - drone would have been the perfect word LOL.

    It is a Christian based curriculum. They use Alpha Omega LIFEPAC which is based on the principle of mastery learning. Students master content in each unit worktext before progressing to the next.

    There's usually only about 6 kids in his class and two teachers! The pastor of the church and his wife run the little school. They both have masters degrees in teaching and are without a doubt the most patient and caring people you would ever hope to meet. What a blessing they have been to the kids that have graduated from there. Many have gone on to college successfully.

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  6. Bill's Grandson also goes to a small church school described perfectly by Rebecca. Bill is concerned about what will happen when he has to go to public school after 5th grade. We'll see he is now in second.

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  7. @jude - I can only imagine how hard it will be on Bill's grandson to transition from a loving & nurturing environment to one of blatant indifference.

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  8. That's true. But, I hope the school will prepare the kids for the transition. Not only will it be an adjustment in the curriculum itself, there is the larger class sizes and the student body to learn to navigate.

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