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If you ever get the chance to read Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto I highly suggest it, it's very eye opening as to the origins and reasons for
by fleitz 16y ago
If you ever get the chance to read Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto I highly suggest it, it's very eye opening as to the origins and reasons for mandatory schooling.
Also when reading John Taylor Gatto, please ensure you do not conflate schooling with education. You'll not like him very much if you conflate the two. Unless you really are against education, in that case please reply :)
- tomjen3 16y agoI already read The Underground History of American Education. Is it worth reading Weapons of Mass Instruction too? Not that it greatly matters, of course, since there is absolutely nothing I can do about it as I have already decided not to have kids.
- bmj 16y agoWhy? There are plenty of home/un-schooling groups that you could assist even though you don't have kids.
- gallamine 16y agoI had the distinct privilege of being home-educated, and never darkening the door of a government run primary school. My parent's resolve in doing this was largely influenced by Mr. Gatto. There is hope.
- fleitz 16y agoNot sure haven't read that work of his. Right now I'm finishing off Disabling Professions by Ivan Illich which looks at how professions are a continuation of the learned helplessness that schooling helps to instill.
- Alex3917 16y ago"I already read The Underground History of American Education. Is it worth reading Weapons of Mass Instruction too?" No. Weapons of Mass Instruction is basically just excerpts from Underground History. I think there are a few new things, but mostly what happened is that the publisher for Underground History backed out once they read the book, which left Gatto allowed to self publish it himself but unable to find another publishing deal. So Weapons of Mass instruction was basically just him going out and repackaging Underground History and publishing the best of it.
- euroclydon 16y agoI imagine any publisher would have strong disincentive to publish UHAE. He has few good things to say about the scholastic publishing houses.
- JabavuAdams 16y agoYou can mentor someone else's kids. It needn't be formal.