Steering the Future to Education by Don Limuti

James,

I agree with you completely. However, I think you missed my intent. I want to turn Social Security into education, but not in a burdensome way. Let's say that right now you are collecting Social Security and using it to pay for food and shelter, nothing changes with my plan except now the recipient of "Social Security" has the opportunity to enroll in classes of their choosing. They are not forced to take classes, it is their choice. They collect a check just as before, but now they have the option of enriching their lives. To boot, they can say they are receiving a scholarship instead of collecting Social Security. The result may be the same, but the context is much better (IMHO).

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Don Limuti

Hi Rick and James,

I singled out Ronald Reagan, because of his actions regarding education in the state of California. Personally I do not think he had much of a choice in the matter, the voters twisted his arm.

When it comes to Politics, I think it is best to make evaluations based on "unselfish motives". From my viewpoint both parties have a good deal of posturing and selfishness.

Perhaps the next essay contest should be "The Physics of Politics"

Thanks for visiting,

Don Limuti

Hi Edwin and Marc,

Edwin: I think we are closer in approach than you think. I would like to replace social security, welfare, and unemployment with an education mandate.

Marc: I see the education mandate as similar to the military mandate. The military in the US always has funding support, but how it is spent is up for debate. I would like to see education in the US as always having funding support, but how it is spent is up for debate. With a super literate, super technical, and super philosophical (spiritual/religious if you like) the military role may evolve in ways that are less warlike.

Thanks for visiting,

Don Limuti

Hi Wilhelmus,

Education for youth is a priority. I would like to make education for everybody a priority.

I am going to enroll in your course of Consciousness 101, but first I need to read your essay.

Good to see you in another contest,

Don Limuti

Hi Georgina,

GOOD TO SEE YOU IN ANOTHER CONTEST. THANKS FOR VISITING MY BLOG. I AM WRITING IN CAPS TO CONTRAST WITH YOUR COMMENTS. SEE BELOW.

Sensible suggestions though I wonder about whether all unemployed would want more education.

MY INTENT IS THAT TAKING COURSES IS VOLUNTARY, AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT WORKING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR YOU CAN RECEIVE THE EDUCATION STIPEND IF YOU ARE ENROLLED IN A SCHOOL.

There may well be school drop outs and those that did badly in the education system.

SCHOOL DROPOUTS AND FAILURE IS A CRIME PERPETRATED BY THE CURRENT EDUCATION SYSTEM!

The type of schooling would have to be very different.

YES, INDEED!

I'm not sure the Apple model could be scaled up.

I'M NOT SURE EITHER, BUT IT IS WORTH SERIOUS THOUGHT

Though it sounds very good. There really has to be motivation to learn and minimum wage jobs still need doing.

IF THE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS ARE APPROPRIATE, THERE WILL BE MOTIVATION. MINIMUM WAGE JOBS WILL GO AWAY...AND GOOD RIDDANCE. THE JOBS WILL GET DONE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT THEY WILL PAY MORE.

Also more education does not necessarily create more suitable jobs and then there are graduates who can't find suitable work and end up unemployed or in minimum wage jobs anyway.

THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION IS NOT TO CREATE JOBS, IT IS TO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE JOBS CAN EMERGE.

The advantage of your proposition is that they don't also have a large debt to repay from receiving a student loan.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF MANY ADVANTAGES.

GOOD TO SEE YOU IN ANOTHER CONTEST, LOOK FORWARD READING YOUR ESSAY,

DON LIMUTI

Dear KoGuan,

Thank you, thank you, and thank you! You have the spirit.

I look forward to reading your essay.

Don Limuti

Hi Turil,

The weblogic that controls this blog is very strange. It seems that many people cannot rate my essay, and the logoff times vary enough to make author posts iffy. Here is the post again.

Your concept of: open-ended work~play~education spaces that welcome all ages, types, and interests of humans (and others!) is certainly worthwhile. I would like to see it as part of what is supported by an education mandate along with more formal education structures. Perhaps you intend that the open ended system should not be supported by any formal organization in that this would stifle the creative process. There is always this option, at least in an open society. What form of education is better or more productive... I do not know. We should be scientists and investigate many alternatives.

I assume "others" means elephants and donkeys :)

Thanks for visiting,

Don Limuti

Hi again Joe,

I wanted to add that I too am frustrated with the current education system. I was considering graduate school to get a degree in physics. I decided against this because it would put me in a position of having to agree to concepts about quantum mechanics that I knew to be incorrect.

Lying propaganda may be a little strong, but not far from the mark. I would like that you could keep your morals and not fear that school would destroy them.

Peer review is basically a good idea, but it has its limits that are best described by Mark Twain. What we know for sure that just ain't so is what gets us into trouble.

Thanks for visiting and best of luck,

Don Limuti

Hi Hoang,

Yes, that is what I am after.... maximum profit for the future. My frustration is that I cannot make it an ironclad argument that is obvious to all.

Thank you, and I look forward to reading your essay.

Don Limuti

Hi Tommy,

You caught me! I did my best but logically cannot nail down to everyones satisfaction the importance of education. All my logic and intuition says that the continuing education of all people should be top priority. The elitist school systems of the UK are second rate to the more inclusive university systems of the US. Unfortunately the US is trying more and more to imitate the UK.

Here is my response to your web links:

1. Where has all the education gone?

YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THE SEVERAL IMPORTANT CAVEATS THAT PRITCHETT LISTS

2. Does Education Matter:

The conclusion of this devastating book is that a large proportion of the billions poured into vocational training and university provision might be better spent on teaching the basics at primary school.

YES, EDUCATION DOES MATTER.

3. Going Broke by Degree:

THIS LOGICAL ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT THE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN A COLLEGE DEGREE IS NOT WORTH IT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC VIEWPOINT. YES, SPENDING $400,000 ON A DEGREE IN ART DURING THE JURASSIC PERIOD MAY NOT GIVE A MONETARY RETURN. STATISTICS CAN BE STUPID.

Perhaps we are both making a case for what we intuitively believe is the truth. I like mine better.

Thanks for visiting and best of luck,

Don Limuti

Hi Jim,

Good to see you in the contest. What I mean by market driven when it comes to what is offered in education, is that the government does not have a monopoly on deciding what is important. What is educationally offered is what is desired by individuals.... if enough individuals want a course of study it will be offered. Many will make choices that they believe will enhance their economic potential and give them credentials. Others many take courses to improve their health. Others may want to improve their gaming and collaboration skills. Still others may want to organize against corporation dominance in election politics. Others will work on making the earth a sustainable place to live. Others may want to study consciousness, philosophy, religion, physics etc, etc.

Market driven is not necessarily a negative concept. People driven may be a better nomenclature.

Look forward to reading your essay,

Don Limuti

Marc, the logout demon caught me again, Don Limuti

Hi Michael,

Thanks for visiting and your support. I look forward to reading your essay.

Don Limuti