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Public education in its present shape was created during XIX century industrialization with a purpose of freeing parents from having to take care of kids and go

by dpc_pw 6y ago

Public education in its present shape was created during XIX century industrialization with a purpose of freeing parents from having to take care of kids and go work in a factory, and producing next generation of obedient workers, that industrial economy needs. For some reason despite most of western economies heavily de-industrialized, and economy shifted to more creative and free-spirited arrangements, we never reformed education system. Anyone that does not fit the "obedient worker" is penalized by the system, and for decades we are shown plenty of high impact "geniuses" who in their childhood struggled in schools. Out of time to look for better sources: https://qz.com/1314814/universal-education-was-first-promoted-by-industrialists-who-wanted-docile-factory-workers/ https://qz.com/1314814/universal-education-was-first-promote...

wahern 6y ago
> economy shifted to more creative and free-spirited arrangements Is that the new euphemism for the gig economy? Let's be honest, while in terms of income the economy has shifted to more so-called creative work, it hasn't done so in terms of open positions. The contemporary narrative is that the Prussian education system is antiquated, or at least merely served the needs of capitalists.[1] People forget what it was trying to achieve--churn out a mass of men that were literate, punctual, and could take direction, characteristics that men as a class neither then nor now are particularly adept at as compared to women. And have those goals really changed? Unless you're some black turtle neck wearing genius artist with millionaire patrons, you're expected to be more literate, more punctual (at all hours of the day), and more responsive to the needs of others (manager, client, w'ever) than ever before, whether you're a high-salary Silicon Valley programmer or a low-wage service worker. Whatever increased creativity demanded of workers as compared to assembly line workers of yore is literally imaginary. Nobody cares about your creativity building tree forts, at least not to the exclusion of those other requirements. You're still expected to learn how to be on time and in place and ready to take direction. That's what schools needed to inculcate in the 19th century, and it's still what's needed of them; it's just that now we need them to teach additional skills. [1] It did have a veneer of Protestant Christian ethics, but that was just the sales pitch. The sales pitch isn't the product; not now, not ever. People keep confusing those things when examining history even when they're savvy enough not to make the equivocation in their day-to-day lives.
- searchableguy 6y ago
  I somewhat agree with whatever you have said. > That's what schools needed to inculcate in the 19th century, and it's still what's needed of them; it's just that now we need them to teach additional skills. This really ignores the medical advancement of understanding of human bodies and nature as well as the advancement in the type of work. No one advocates for physically abusing the kids to instill manners in current times and it's backed by research to be ineffective long term and not sustainable. We know more about what influences obesity rates and bodily pain issues. We know sitting on your desk for long periods isn't good. Most people in developed countries and emerging developing countries are increasingly not doing any physically repetitive tasks. Those are automated and for a good reason, eg - RSI. School architecture needs complete reform. Teaching guidelines significant changes. It may not be for making kids more creative but incorporating what we already have in our daily life outside of school. Eg - I don't sit on my computer desk continuously for longer than 45 mins without taking a small walk.
- dpc_pw 6y ago
  > Is that the new euphemism for the gig economy? Mostly just the fact that most of people are not going to work on a shift in factory. But in a way... yeah... people might need to be a part-time driver, part-time YT broadcaster, part-time online influencer, and contractor. As crappy as it sounds, the times of mass employment in big industrial factories are over, and completely different values and skills are needed.

by dpc_pw 6y ago

wahern 6y ago

> economy shifted to more creative and free-spirited arrangements Is that the new euphemism for the gig economy? Let's be honest, while in terms of income the economy has shifted to more so-called creative work, it hasn't done so in terms of open positions. The contemporary narrative is that the Prussian education system is antiquated, or at least merely served the needs of capitalists.[1] People forget what it was trying to achieve--churn out a mass of men that were literate, punctual, and could take direction, characteristics that men as a class neither then nor now are particularly adept at as compared to women. And have those goals really changed? Unless you're some black turtle neck wearing genius artist with millionaire patrons, you're expected to be more literate, more punctual (at all hours of the day), and more responsive to the needs of others (manager, client, w'ever) than ever before, whether you're a high-salary Silicon Valley programmer or a low-wage service worker. Whatever increased creativity demanded of workers as compared to assembly line workers of yore is literally imaginary. Nobody cares about your creativity building tree forts, at least not to the exclusion of those other requirements. You're still expected to learn how to be on time and in place and ready to take direction. That's what schools needed to inculcate in the 19th century, and it's still what's needed of them; it's just that now we need them to teach additional skills. [1] It did have a veneer of Protestant Christian ethics, but that was just the sales pitch. The sales pitch isn't the product; not now, not ever. People keep confusing those things when examining history even when they're savvy enough not to make the equivocation in their day-to-day lives.

searchableguy 6y ago
I somewhat agree with whatever you have said. > That's what schools needed to inculcate in the 19th century, and it's still what's needed of them; it's just that now we need them to teach additional skills. This really ignores the medical advancement of understanding of human bodies and nature as well as the advancement in the type of work. No one advocates for physically abusing the kids to instill manners in current times and it's backed by research to be ineffective long term and not sustainable. We know more about what influences obesity rates and bodily pain issues. We know sitting on your desk for long periods isn't good. Most people in developed countries and emerging developing countries are increasingly not doing any physically repetitive tasks. Those are automated and for a good reason, eg - RSI. School architecture needs complete reform. Teaching guidelines significant changes. It may not be for making kids more creative but incorporating what we already have in our daily life outside of school. Eg - I don't sit on my computer desk continuously for longer than 45 mins without taking a small walk.
dpc_pw 6y ago
> Is that the new euphemism for the gig economy? Mostly just the fact that most of people are not going to work on a shift in factory. But in a way... yeah... people might need to be a part-time driver, part-time YT broadcaster, part-time online influencer, and contractor. As crappy as it sounds, the times of mass employment in big industrial factories are over, and completely different values and skills are needed.