29 September 2011

Here's Why Teachers in the U.S. of A. Have a Problem

Blog post on how power corrupts when the person wielding it is in a low status position (as teachers are in this country)

To elaborate on my point about teachers: Teachers in most traditional schools are given almost complete power over the moment-to-moment lives of children and teenagers and then paid little, blamed for all manner of social problems, and generally disrespected. There are going to be some exemplary human beings who fill the role with honor and grace, but the overwhelming situational forces are constantly working against them. Most will burn out and leave or succumb to the ever present little tiny compromises that eventually lead them into acting in ways they would never have imagined when they first set their heart on helping children to learn.

[Thanks to the Situationist Blog for sharing insights from the research literature!]

17 September 2011

TV as Social Conscience TED Talk

Here's a TV executive revealing some interesting trends from the last 50 years:

04 September 2011

An Encapsulation Of The Human Conditon

Here's a fun look at our current human situation:

02 September 2011

Priceless Politics with Jefferson Smith

Here's a good talk by the founder of the Bus Project and an Oregon Representative, Jefferson Smith: