The “robust exchange of ideas” is the concept that information should not be withheld. We can’t fully learn unless we have access to information. Ignorance may be “bliss” in some situations, but it’s not helpful to a society.
Adults like to control the information available to kids. They don’t want their kids or even other people’s kids to learn things that may be contrary to their beliefs. This is why people try to ban books, theories, religious teachings, etc. from school. As a parent, I can understand this, but I don’t agree with it. We have a tendency to protect our children from offensive material, but who is to say the material is truly offensive? We use our own beliefs to determine this, but to limit our children to our own beliefs is to lead them on a path to ignorance. “Oh my gosh! They’re talking about spells in Harry Potter! That’s just wrong!” “They can’t teach German! That would cause my child to think like a German!” “Theory of Evolution!? There is only one creation that my child is allowed to learn!” Those are the cries of ignorance. Can we not let our children make up their own minds after having a full education on the material? My father had me attend multiple churches. He wanted me to learn about the other religions. I applaud him for that. It has taught me to be understanding of every religion.
As a teacher, I know I am not allowed to present my opinion on topics. I am there to teach the children the facts. But, in my opinion, it is also my duty to have the kids think for themselves and come up with their own educated opinions. Therefore, I will teach them any information that I deem useful for that goal. I will teach Slaughterhouse Five, Maus, Mythology, etc. I will deal with complaints as I see them. There was an old saying that “the mind is a terrible thing to waste,” well I modified that years ago to “the mind is a terrible thing to close.” Information is the currency of education. My students will be rich.
DIET DIARY
Numbers from Today
Blood Sugar: 110
Weight: 284.0 (Ack!)
Fat Percentage: 48.2
Water Percentage: 30.1
Muscle Percentage: 34.7
Food and Exercise from Yesterday
Fluids: Water (16 oz – 5 times a day)
Exercise:
20 Curls of 85 pounds.
Monday from my exercise plan.
Meal 1:
Oatmeal
Multivitamin
B150 Vitamin Complex
Snack 1:
1 Slim Fast 220 Calorie Optima Bar
Meal 2:
Philly Cheese Steak Omelet (from a local diner)
Biscuit
Snack 2:
1 Slim Fast 220 Calorie Optima Bar
Meal 3:
2 Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Chips
(For more information about my dieting and weight loss, click here. For more information about the specific foods I eat, click here.)
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By Turnip on Feb 20, 2008 |
The only problem with the “robust exchange of ideas” is that depending on how people interpret this, you end up inserting every crackpot theory into the curriculum provided it’s proponents have a big enough mouth. Science should be pure science with no religious thoughts ever included. Teach your own beliefs at home. Nobody will care if you tell your kids the world is flat or that 2500 angels can fit on the head of a pin. Just don’t waste my kid’s time in school appeasing every locally popular religion. Let him take comparative religion in college if it interests him. Now, if you are studying mythology, or understanding a particular religion’s creation myth to a novel, then by all means let the kids hear it.
Turnip’s last blog post..Exploring Adsflip Synergy With Entrecard
By ettarose on Feb 20, 2008 |
Saphrym, Look around you. There is so much ignorance in the world. We were at one time held to our parents beliefs. Do you think if we start now with the young people of the world we can stamp out ignorance and bigotry? I applaud your thinking.
ettarose’s last blog post..Useful Things I have Found While Looking For Help
By Saphrym on Feb 20, 2008 |
@Turnip – I agree with you. It is very possible to interpret that post in that manner. It’s not what I meant though. I was thinking more along the lines of unnecessary censorship. I’ve seen so many books banned that it makes me sick. I also agree that it’s the parents’ jobs to teach their children morlas in whatever form.
@ettarose – With the Internet around, I’ve seen many things change. Sure, extra problems have been created, but I’ve also noticed that people who surf the Internet for long enough don’t fall for ignorant beliefs anymore. The Internet has a free exchange of information. The Internet, in many ways, is also “bigot blind” because people have no idea who is behind the alias. So to me, that is one example of how our world could change. (And yes I know there are many faults with the patrons of the Internet, but in some ways they are moving in a better direction.)
By Carol on Feb 21, 2008 |
Parent, teacher, grandparent…whatever, we all have the ability and responsibility to encourage thought; to push beyond the tried and true beliefs not only teaches the student, but the teacher too.
Carol’s last blog post..1904 Death on the Tracks in Bordeaux, Washington
By clairec23 on Feb 21, 2008 |
This is something I feel very strongly about. I don’t believe that we have the right to restrict our children in such a way as to stop them from broadening their minds. I really think that they should be allowed to judge things for themselves rather than be told what to think. I want my own children to find out about things in an unbiased way – as in, find out for themselves rather than be told what is good or right.
clairec23’s last blog post..Do You Need An Agent?
By A. Caleb Hartley on Feb 21, 2008 |
Saphrym – like you, I hate to see books and ideas banned. My wife and a group of our compatriots have started a theatre company in Central Ohio that will have a Banned Play Series every year coinciding with Banned Books Month (October).
The Columbus Metropolitan Library celebrated Banned Book Month every year to raise awareness of the issue, and our theatre – Raconteur Theatre Company – wants to support that by adding to Banned Book month with banned plays as well, and practicing “Radical Transparency” – letting the company’s visitors and patrons (and anyone else interested) see decisions and financials and everything of import that we do as the board of the company.
Thanks for raising this issue.
Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley (Andrew)
http://raconteurtheatre.com (we’re just starting up, so the blog is not very populated yet)
A. Caleb Hartley’s last blog post..Compromise
By Saphrym on Feb 21, 2008 |
@Carol – Amen sister!
@Claire – “Knowing is half the battle.” – G.I.Joe – Was a cool cartoon, but the quote was the coolest.
@A. Caleb – That’s very cool. I bookmarked the blog. Join Entrecard with it and it might end up in this feature.
Speaking of this feature, seems as if my Wednesday post is not showing. Must go fix that.