RpNation

The current education system in the US was created during the industrial era when the most that was needed was knowing how to follow instructions and use machinery. This is why the education system feels "formulaic" compared to the real, modern professional world since the education system has not been changed much since it was first created.

It does give some lessons of the real world: winning matters. You have to win test scores, you have to win sportsball, you have to win college scholarships, you have to win that job, you have to win that promotion, you have to win the lottery to pay off your college debt before you turn 40.

It's nihilistic but true.

Actually, I’m really a lot more surprised that the system hasn’t evolved. With all the brilliant minds that we have, I’d think we could promote more originality and critical thinking instead of being happily fed information that may or may not be actually relevant to our lives. It’s a little worrisome that complacency and hive mentality is the norm when as individuals, I would think, we would actually crave being actualized. At least I do to some degree. Sometimes, I think being called a radical looney tune is better than a sheep in the herd.

Also, this is what happens when you read too much Noam Chomsky.

The lack of change in the education system boils down to politics. It's the same old sad story.

Well, one can dream of change. I’m feeling more aligned to anarchism these days.

The problem with anarchism is that it relies on people's ability to not automatically establish a categorization system that dictates people's lives, as humans have been known to do throughout the ages (ancient Greece, medieval Europe, feudal Japan, Hinduism no matter what time period, etc, etc).

Independent thinking structures are becoming more present in tutoring environments- where teaching is peer to peer, one on one. There are some elements of that structure within the traditional system as a supplement.

If I'm being honest, I'd settle for just free tuition at this point.

I personally don’t already like categorical thinking. Just like I don’t really agree with the binary views of male vs. female (roles or stereotypes) or good vs. evil. There’s always more layers to it. So I try to be a little more open-ended, if that makes sense?

Lol. This did take a weirdly serious tone. I guess, that’s on me, your friendly neighbourhood thinker out-louder. I also wish I had free tuition. My pockets are feeling so empty it could fly!

Thanks for discussing though! I think it’s cool to hear everyone’s ideas! Cookies for everyone!

P.S. I’m glad to see tutors are allowing students to be more critical thinkers. It’s so wonderful to see naturally curious minds at work!

This is a tangent but personally I like good vs. evil. I mean, obviously that's not how real life works but sometimes a nice, plain good vs. evil story helps take your mind off things. These days we all seem to think that every villain has to be nuanced. That's not true. I mean, look at Maleficent. You don't like her because of her backstory (in fact, her backstory movie was wholly unnecessary) you like her because she's fun and hammy.

In my opinion they ruined Thanos by making him nuanced. I think he'd be a whole lot scarier if they stuck with his comics motivation of trying to literally bone the personification of death.

This is where we veer off perspective paths, friend. I can understand where you’re coming from though. Sometimes simple characterization is good. It’s easy.

But I’m honestly a sucker for more realistic, gritty portrayals of characters. I like fleshed out and deep rather than easily digestible and shallow.

No harm in simple characters though. They are really effective in certain scenarios, like comedic ones or like you said terrifying ones. Sometimes, they epitomize a genre or a trope. It makes the art form more accessible to the audience.

Also, I love talking to people who like discussing things even if it’s off tangent! People are really interesting once you get to know them.

You'll love me, then. I couldn't stay on topic to save my life.

Pshh! Random people are my kinda people!

Just gonna casually follow you, then. Poyo.

Ha ha. Thanks for the follow! I can’t gurantee that I’ll be entertaining, but I’ll always find ways to entertain myself

Thanks for the follow back.

I might be entertaining. I've been told that I'm funny before, though I think it's mostly just courtesy laughs.

Aww, don’t say that now. I’m sure it’s true. Whether it’s in this universe/time-line or in another.