The Rhetoric of Learning Loss
Jon and Shaun question the rhetoric of "learning loss" - a phrase that they conclude is meaningless. The two commence in their standard mode, laughing at how difficult education is, especially when they don't believe in it. They once again cast their reputations as educators to the wind, trying to simultaneously be in the system and critique its foundation, like living in a house that one day may drop into a sinkhole.
Shaun makes it almost seven whole minutes without entirely dismissing the premise of the discussion. Jon forces him into another 50 minutes of conversation anyway. Jon gives an anecdote that he claims is not proof, but after delivering his anecdote, both Jon and Shaun treat the anecdote as universal truths. Shaun is suspiciously vague about whether or not he can count.
Jon points out that the reason why we don't see mental education as analogous to physical education is because mental education is the pathway to egalitarianism. This is a welcome point, one of the few. More analogies follow. Then Jon recalls the high-minded Jurassic Park for his next insight using the "Life will find a way" quote to inspire his "Learning will find a way." I guess that's an insight. Michael Crichton probably deserves a shoutout though.
Maybe the most entertaining part of the episode is when Shaun decides to use a basketball analogy without knowing the fundamentals of basketball. He seriously thinks he can make reasonable connections while knowing nothing about the sport! It's funny...and for once I am laughing with Shaun at Shaun...and it's still going on...just stop, please. The simple point is that some players have strengths different from other players. The players come together as a team. Just make the damn analogy to society you ridiculous Platonist!
Anyway, I can't listen anymore.
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / CC BY-SA
Jon points out that the reason why we don't see mental education as analogous to physical education is because mental education is the pathway to egalitarianism. This is a welcome point, one of the few. More analogies follow. Then Jon recalls the high-minded Jurassic Park for his next insight using the "Life will find a way" quote to inspire his "Learning will find a way." I guess that's an insight. Michael Crichton probably deserves a shoutout though.
Maybe the most entertaining part of the episode is when Shaun decides to use a basketball analogy without knowing the fundamentals of basketball. He seriously thinks he can make reasonable connections while knowing nothing about the sport! It's funny...and for once I am laughing with Shaun at Shaun...and it's still going on...just stop, please. The simple point is that some players have strengths different from other players. The players come together as a team. Just make the damn analogy to society you ridiculous Platonist!
Anyway, I can't listen anymore.
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / CC BY-SA