[Critique Me] Hey, I sort of got Published!

[aliothsan]

Well, not really. It was just an essay contest. But the results did arrive in the form of a relatively shiny book full of essays.

Comments

[candrodor]

"are attempting to pound English's square peg into Latin's round hole."

Hmmmm~

[lightflake]

I think linguistics would be a useful addition to high school curricula, but I think that a basic life skills course would be even better. Students are graduating and entering the workforce without being able to fix a car (or know what to look for in a used car), balance a budget, cook a simple meal, fix the simplest of computer problems, fill out an application or tax forms, conduct an interview, etc. Many of them don't have the support of anyone, parents included--a lot of them are kicked out the day they turn 18, or earlier.

I actually think this should be a mandatory part of the curriculum in 8th grade--before they're allowed to drop out, and before most get kicked out of home. Those who complete high school may not remember the more difficult skills, but at least it's a start.

Anyways, that was a tangent. Congrats on the publication.

[aliothsan]

Most of the other essays on this prompt advocated for (1) physical education, (2) environmental science, or (3) current events.

I don't *actually* think linguistics should be mandatory -- it should be a popular elective. What I *do* think should be mandatory is exactly what you suggested. I would just love to take a class in elementary car-fixing, computer maintenance, money management, etc. But I figured I could argue the case for Linguistics 101 better than the case for Basic Life Skills.

[saizai]

I would argue for a course on how to think - logic and meditation.

[aliothsan]

I've heard you argue for teaching about formal debate and how to avoid all those fallacies people were shouting about on the Randi forums a while back.

But...meditation? In what sense, for what purpose? Convince me.

[saizai]

Another aspect of the same thing. Meditation (sans dogma, obviously) would help people think and act calmly, have more empathy, etc.

[aliothsan]

So, a sort of Intro to Light Self-Hacking?