School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation
Summary: We need 150 monthly subscribers! If you are employed and you listen to the show and enjoy the videos, please consider making a commitment of $6.00 per month, or about $.20 per day. When we launch the new site, you have access to a bonus content section that will be updated weekly. Please click here to sign up. $6.00/Month Subscribe! You can help the show grow by committing to one of these monthly subscription levels (demonstrating how inflation affects the price of another source of knowledge). It is greatly appreciated! A New Book!(in 1960) $3/ mo A New Book! (in 1972) $6/mo A New Book! (in 1981) $9/mo A New Book! (in 1995) $15/mo A New Book! (Today) $25/mo Angel Investor $999.99/mo Contact Brett, leave comments and view shows by series: schoolsucksproject.com In my 10+ years of teaching, "school sucks" is perhaps the most common phrase I've heard students use to describe their feelings about public education. But this seemingly bitter and reductive slogan is actually quite clever. When taken literally, "school sucks" is perhaps the most accurate and astute synopsis of the system I've ever heard. Here's why... 1. The twelve-year process of an American public education has a dramatic effect on the mind of a child. When we first enter school at age six, many of our best personal attributes are already in place. We are curious, innovative, unique, creative and hopeful in ways that we will rarely be able to replicate throughout the rest of our lives. But over time, school sucks those essential attributes out of too many of us...and replaces them with predictability, obedience and apathy. 2. The public school system sucks off the productive capacity of hard-working people. The system is coercively funded through taxation. In other words, whether public education succeeds or fails (spoiler alert: it fails) at providing real education to the public, the cost goes up every year. There are no refunds. The END of Public Education? 1. END: It's over, irrelevant, useless, needs to be done away with. Does more harm than good. 2. END: (As in means to an end) We'll also explore the true intentions behind the system, which have very little to do with real education. There is substantial evidence that its failure to educate is no accident. Above all, this is a show about what one might do about these problems...
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Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: Activists Derrick J. Freeman and Michele Seven join us to discuss civil disobedience and the new documentary film, Derrick J's Victimless Crime Spree. We use their stories to examine a quasi-logical fallacy called argumentum ad bacculum (appeal to force). This fallacy is the #1 tool of people calling themselves government. "Of all the fallacies, the Ad Baculum fallacy may be the most difficult to reconcile with some form of legitimate reasoning. The Ad Baculum fallacy does not so much imitate good reasoning as announce that every effort at reasoning has come to an end. Now violence will be used instead. Persuasion is not the point, only compliance." -Antoine Arnauld and Pierre Nicole, L'Art de Penser (The Art of Thinking), 1662 This is an edited version the 9-13-12 live show. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. To watch the full, unedited video show, click here. Co-Hosts: Osborne Bumper Music: "Home" Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros "How Come" Ray Lamontagne Look Closer: Appeal to Force (Ad Baculum) http://courses.csusm.edu/fallacies/force.htm Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Ayn Rand Lexicon http://aynrandlexicon.com/ School Sucks Podcast #017: The State's Facade of Honor and Benevolence http://schoolsucks.podomatic.com/entry/2009-11-22T04_30_34-08_00 http://TragedyandHope.com http://www.tragedyandhope.com/ Trivium http://www.triviumeducation.com/trivium/
Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: Activists Derrick J. Freeman and Michele Seven join us to discuss civil disobedience and the new documentary film, Derrick J's Victimless Crime Spree. We use their stories to examine a quasi-logical fallacy called argumentum ad bacculum (appeal to force). This fallacy is the #1 tool of people calling themselves government. "Of all the fallacies, the Ad Baculum fallacy may be the most difficult to reconcile with some form of legitimate reasoning. The Ad Baculum fallacy does not so much imitate good reasoning as announce that every effort at reasoning has come to an end. Now violence will be used instead. Persuasion is not the point, only compliance." -Antoine Arnauld and Pierre Nicole, L'Art de Penser (The Art of Thinking), 1662 This is an edited version the 9-13-12 live show. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. To watch the full, unedited video show, click here. Co-Hosts: Osborne Bumper Music: "Home" Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros "How Come" Ray Lamontagne Look Closer: Appeal to Force (Ad Baculum) http://courses.csusm.edu/fallacies/force.htm Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Ayn Rand Lexicon http://aynrandlexicon.com/ School Sucks Podcast #017: The State's Facade of Honor and Benevolence http://schoolsucks.podomatic.com/entry/2009-11-22T04_30_34-08_00 http://TragedyandHope.com http://www.tragedyandhope.com/ Trivium http://www.triviumeducation.com/trivium/
It's good day for it. Topics: This morning I discovered a new website: www.criticalthinking.org, the homepage of The Critical Thinking Community. There's been a lot of talk on the show lately about the connection between critical thinking and emotional intelligence. And after searching through the site, I discovered the work of an educational psychologist named Linda Elder. I was very intrigued by her paper, Critical Thinking Development: A Stage Theory, so I thought I would turn it into a nice mp3 for you. Woven throughout the theory is a call to understand the roll emotional intelligence plays in effective and rational thinking, so I have also included some audio from an Objectivist writer and lecturer on philosophy named Dr.Diana Hsieh. Dr. Hsieh (Promounced "Shay") also hosts a Q&A webcast called Philosophy In Action. Look Closer: Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence,by Linda Elder http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/cognition-and-affect-critical-thinking-and-emotional-intelligence/485 Philosophy: Who Needs It http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_nonfiction_philosophy_who_needs_it
It's good day for it. Topics: This morning I discovered a new website: www.criticalthinking.org, the homepage of The Critical Thinking Community. There's been a lot of talk on the show lately about the connection between critical thinking and emotional intelligence. And after searching through the site, I discovered the work of an educational psychologist named Linda Elder. I was very intrigued by her paper, Critical Thinking Development: A Stage Theory, so I thought I would turn it into a nice mp3 for you. Woven throughout the theory is a call to understand the roll emotional intelligence plays in effective and rational thinking, so I have also included some audio from an Objectivist writer and lecturer on philosophy named Dr.Diana Hsieh. Dr. Hsieh (Promounced "Shay") also hosts a Q&A webcast called Philosophy In Action. Look Closer: Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence,by Linda Elder http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/cognition-and-affect-critical-thinking-and-emotional-intelligence/485 Philosophy: Who Needs It http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_nonfiction_philosophy_who_needs_it
Topics: An expansion of of the conversation in show #160: Logic Saves Lives Part 3 - The Most Dangerous Superstition (With Larken Rose). Larken joined us to discuss his book, The Most Dangerous Superstition, and the logical fallacy called argumentum ad verecundiam (appeal to authority). This fallacy often lays the groundwork for many additional logical and rhetorical missteps in debate. This is an edited version of the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: The Appeal To Authority (Defined) http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-authority The Appeal To Force (Defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/adbacula.html Genetic Fallacy (defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/genefall.html Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Help John Taylor Gatto: Enter the coupon code: "SCHOOLSUCKS"
Topics: An expansion of of the conversation in show #160: Logic Saves Lives Part 3 - The Most Dangerous Superstition (With Larken Rose). Larken joined us to discuss his book, The Most Dangerous Superstition, and the logical fallacy called argumentum ad verecundiam (appeal to authority). This fallacy often lays the groundwork for many additional logical and rhetorical missteps in debate. This is an edited version of the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: The Appeal To Authority (Defined) http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-authority The Appeal To Force (Defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/adbacula.html Genetic Fallacy (defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/genefall.html Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Help John Taylor Gatto: Enter the coupon code: "SCHOOLSUCKS"
Topics: The authority of the constitution is one of my least favorite subjects, but we decided to give a listener almost 50 minutes to make his case. This show is 2 selected clips from the 9-6-12 live show and the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: Attacking the Sacred, By Larken Rose http://boldvoices.tv/content/attacking-sacred-larken-rose No Treason The Constitution of No Authority, by Lysander Spooner http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig4/spooner1.html
Topics: The authority of the constitution is one of my least favorite subjects, but we decided to give a listener almost 50 minutes to make his case. This show is 2 selected clips from the 9-6-12 live show and the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: Attacking the Sacred, By Larken Rose http://boldvoices.tv/content/attacking-sacred-larken-rose No Treason The Constitution of No Authority, by Lysander Spooner http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig4/spooner1.html
Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: Larken Rose joins us to discuss his book, The Most Dangerous Superstition, and the logical fallacy called argumentum ad verecundiam (appeal to authority). This fallacy often lays the groundwork for many additional logical and rhetorical missteps in debate. This is an edited version the 9-6-12 live show. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Co-Hosts: Cory Bumper Music: "Sing Me Back Home" Merle Haggard Look Closer: The Appeal To Authority (Defined) http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-authority Genetic Fallacy (defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/genefall.html Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Ayn Rand Lexicon http://aynrandlexicon.com/ POLITICAL DEBATE CONTRACT http://edu-lu-tion.com/resources/political_debate_contract http://TragedyandHope.com http://www.tragedyandhope.com/ Trivium http://www.triviumeducation.com/trivium/
Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: Larken Rose joins us to discuss his book, The Most Dangerous Superstition, and the logical fallacy called argumentum ad verecundiam (appeal to authority). This fallacy often lays the groundwork for many additional logical and rhetorical missteps in debate. This is an edited version the 9-6-12 live show. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Co-Hosts: Cory Bumper Music: "Sing Me Back Home" Merle Haggard Look Closer: The Appeal To Authority (Defined) http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-authority Genetic Fallacy (defined) http://www.fallacyfiles.org/genefall.html Logical Fallacies Basics http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htm Ayn Rand Lexicon http://aynrandlexicon.com/ POLITICAL DEBATE CONTRACT http://edu-lu-tion.com/resources/political_debate_contract http://TragedyandHope.com http://www.tragedyandhope.com/ Trivium http://www.triviumeducation.com/trivium/
Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: A discussion about my new idea for advancing the message of liberty, articulating a sound methodology, and removing the irrationality and pacifying the emotional mayhem of the average political argument. 'Tis the season... POLITICAL DEBATE CONTRACT For honest, rational, and meaningful discussions about important issues. TOPIC/QUESTION: _________________________________________________ All Parties Agree to Avoid Red Herrings Clause #1: Clarification of Purpose Before proceeding, all parties must communicate the goals they are trying achieve through this argument/conversation. More importantly, all parties must identify the intellectual or emotional needs they are trying to have met through such an interaction. Clause #2: Ethical and Logical Consistency Because almost all political arguments grow from the need of all parties determine right from wrong, or moral from immoral, each party must articulate a clear foundation of principles or axioms upon which all of their political positions are built. EXAMPLE: “I am a Republican/Democrat/Libertarian, and that political belief system is built upon the impenetrable idea that (insert principles here) . Please avoid abstract language and subjective claims like: “America is the greatest country in the world!” OR “Freedom is the answer.” OR “Obama says...” All your subsequent arguments and statements must not contradict the principles you put forward at this step. All elements of your current political belief system must be consistent with these principles. Clause #3: Avoiding the Box While the discussion must stay on the agreed upon topic, all parties must agree to abstain from the tactic of putting their opponent(s) "in a box." This refers to attempts to control the context of the discussion in a way that is advantageous to you. EXAMPLES: 1. Lifeboat Scenarios 2. Straw-Man Fallacy 3. Loaded Questions (Trap-Setting) 4. Special Pleading Fallacy (The Retreat) Clause #4: Foundation of Facts All parties must be able to demonstrate that their opinion/claim/call-to-action is built upon a foundation of facts with which their opponent agrees. This is often the most challenging part of any debate because each party will have different strengths and deficits in his or her knowledge-base. Both parties will agree to fact-checking in real time (internet) if necessary. Clause #5: Ideological Flexibility You agree that if your opponent can clearly demonstrate that your argument contains numerous inconsistencies, contradictions or other general errors in reasoning, you will follow up by doing all of the following: 1. avoid launching into an emotion-driven invective against your opponent, including ad hominem attacks (aka FIGHT) 2. avoid the “taking my ball and going home” tactic, where you say something like, “I've had it with this! There's no talking to you! And everyone is entitled to their own opinion anyway. Goodbye.” (aka FLIGHT) 3. admit that your position needs additional research and consideration 4. agree to consume two (2) pieces of educational media chosen for you by your opponent (articles, book excerpts, videos, podcasts, etc...) SOME EXAMPLES of common reasoning errors to avoid: Appeal to Emotion/Fear, Appeal to Authority, Appeal to Popularity, Circular Reasoning, Ambiguity, Equivocation, the Genetic Fallacy, Fallacy of Composition/Division, Fallacy of the Excluded Middle, and Appeal to Tradition Signatures: PARTY 1 ______________________________ PARTY 2 ______________________________ WITNESS ______________________________ This is an edited version the 8-30-12 live show and the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Co-Hosts: Cory and Osborne(continued)
Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are. Metaphysical Laws 1.Identity 2.Causality 3.Non-Contradiction Topic: A discussion about my new idea for advancing the message of liberty, articulating a sound methodology, and removing the irrationality and pacifying the emotional mayhem of the average political argument. 'Tis the season... POLITICAL DEBATE CONTRACT For honest, rational, and meaningful discussions about important issues. TOPIC/QUESTION: _________________________________________________ All Parties Agree to Avoid Red Herrings Clause #1: Clarification of Purpose Before proceeding, all parties must communicate the goals they are trying achieve through this argument/conversation. More importantly, all parties must identify the intellectual or emotional needs they are trying to have met through such an interaction. Clause #2: Ethical and Logical Consistency Because almost all political arguments grow from the need of all parties determine right from wrong, or moral from immoral, each party must articulate a clear foundation of principles or axioms upon which all of their political positions are built. EXAMPLE: “I am a Republican/Democrat/Libertarian, and that political belief system is built upon the impenetrable idea that (insert principles here) . Please avoid abstract language and subjective claims like: “America is the greatest country in the world!” OR “Freedom is the answer.” OR “Obama says...” All your subsequent arguments and statements must not contradict the principles you put forward at this step. All elements of your current political belief system must be consistent with these principles. Clause #3: Avoiding the Box While the discussion must stay on the agreed upon topic, all parties must agree to abstain from the tactic of putting their opponent(s) "in a box." This refers to attempts to control the context of the discussion in a way that is advantageous to you. EXAMPLES: 1. Lifeboat Scenarios 2. Straw-Man Fallacy 3. Loaded Questions (Trap-Setting) 4. Special Pleading Fallacy (The Retreat) Clause #4: Foundation of Facts All parties must be able to demonstrate that their opinion/claim/call-to-action is built upon a foundation of facts with which their opponent agrees. This is often the most challenging part of any debate because each party will have different strengths and deficits in his or her knowledge-base. Both parties will agree to fact-checking in real time (internet) if necessary. Clause #5: Ideological Flexibility You agree that if your opponent can clearly demonstrate that your argument contains numerous inconsistencies, contradictions or other general errors in reasoning, you will follow up by doing all of the following: 1. avoid launching into an emotion-driven invective against your opponent, including ad hominem attacks (aka FIGHT) 2. avoid the “taking my ball and going home” tactic, where you say something like, “I've had it with this! There's no talking to you! And everyone is entitled to their own opinion anyway. Goodbye.” (aka FLIGHT) 3. admit that your position needs additional research and consideration 4. agree to consume two (2) pieces of educational media chosen for you by your opponent (articles, book excerpts, videos, podcasts, etc...) SOME EXAMPLES of common reasoning errors to avoid: Appeal to Emotion/Fear, Appeal to Authority, Appeal to Popularity, Circular Reasoning, Ambiguity, Equivocation, the Genetic Fallacy, Fallacy of Composition/Division, Fallacy of the Excluded Middle, and Appeal to Tradition Signatures: PARTY 1 ______________________________ PARTY 2 ______________________________ WITNESS ______________________________ This is an edited version the 8-30-12 live show and the After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Co-Hosts: Cory and Osborne(continued)
Topics: Economist Robert P. Murphy joins Osborne and me to discuss the philosophy and misconceptions of Austrian economics, the future of scholarly pursuits and credibility, and his advice for young people. This is an edited version the 8-16-12 show After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: Robert Murphy Bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_P._Murphy My Advice to Young People http://mises.org/daily/5637/My-Advice-to-Young-People My Debate Challenge to Paul Krugman http://mises.org/daily/4807 Help John Taylor Gatto: Enter the coupon code: "SCHOOLSUCKS"
Topics: Economist Robert P. Murphy joins Osborne and me to discuss the philosophy and misconceptions of Austrian economics, the future of scholarly pursuits and credibility, and his advice for young people. This is an edited version the 8-16-12 show After School (Sucks) Special. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: Robert Murphy Bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_P._Murphy My Advice to Young People http://mises.org/daily/5637/My-Advice-to-Young-People My Debate Challenge to Paul Krugman http://mises.org/daily/4807 Help John Taylor Gatto: Enter the coupon code: "SCHOOLSUCKS"
Topics: John, a former public school teacher, calls in to discuss his feelings about the distortions in memories of future public school graduates...and teachers. This is an edited version of 8-9-12 show. School Sucks is live on the Liberty Radio Network and UStream Thursdays at 10pm EST. Look Closer: Informal University http://informalu.org/ The Underground History of American Education: A Schoolteacher's Intimate Investigation Into The Problem Of Modern Schooling http://johntaylorgatto.com/underground/ Help School Sucks, Tragedy and Hope and John Taylor Gatto: Enter the coupon code: "SCHOOLSUCKS"
