I often tell my students, "grades are merely an imperfect symbol of achievement." What you've written here about the difference between schooling and education is a beautiful elaboration of that. Reminds me of the quotation attributed to Einstein: "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything learned in school."
The word "efficiency" has been toggling around in my head for some time now, with myriad frustrations ricocheting back and forth, and you captured it perfectly here.
Appreciate the wise words, and also the shout-out to the train set—as I've stumbled many a times on my way to get my morning coffee on the previous night's creation from our boys.
I love the phrase the "never-ending search for 'the one best way'." It captures the monistic impulse that is at the heart of so much rationalist thinking, and doing based on that thinking. The problem I'm thinking through right now is that the obvious alternative of pluralist thinking and doing tends toward skepticism of those who believe they have figured out the one best way. Skepticism is not a firm basis on which to build a social movement.
I think maybe Boyton has the answer, but we need to expand our individual woo-hoos into something more social.
"The pursuit of absolute efficiency in every field of human activity."
This misses the point that life is about the journey, not the destination.
I often tell my students, "grades are merely an imperfect symbol of achievement." What you've written here about the difference between schooling and education is a beautiful elaboration of that. Reminds me of the quotation attributed to Einstein: "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything learned in school."
Wonderful to hear of continuing progress, train sets and new books for the win.
"The pursuit of absolute efficiency in every field of human activity. Sound familiar?"
As fruitful and useful an activity as selecting produce in the Garden of Eden.
I think Icarus may have some thoughts on this, too.
We so resist being genuinely humble and, in so doing, miss out on the flip side where we are called to share in empathy.
Woo-hoo for Sandra Boynton books! My daughter is past them now, but at one time they were an every night staple in our household.
The word "efficiency" has been toggling around in my head for some time now, with myriad frustrations ricocheting back and forth, and you captured it perfectly here.
Appreciate the wise words, and also the shout-out to the train set—as I've stumbled many a times on my way to get my morning coffee on the previous night's creation from our boys.
Fantastic piece!
I love the phrase the "never-ending search for 'the one best way'." It captures the monistic impulse that is at the heart of so much rationalist thinking, and doing based on that thinking. The problem I'm thinking through right now is that the obvious alternative of pluralist thinking and doing tends toward skepticism of those who believe they have figured out the one best way. Skepticism is not a firm basis on which to build a social movement.
I think maybe Boyton has the answer, but we need to expand our individual woo-hoos into something more social.