coberst wrote:Learning is an inductive process.
It's nice to see we agree. I eagerly await the day when you live up to these words in deed rather than in speech.
Coberst-I wasn't trying to negate what you're attempting to do here-I hope you didn't think that, and I hope I didn't sound like another dissenting voice-I wasn't trying to be. If this is the arena in which you've chosen to work, more power (and admiration from me) to you- and please don't read that with even a hint of sarcasm-because there's none intended. I guess I was just thinking that it's not an easy audience or crowd to reach and you might more easily see the fruits of your labors elsewhere. But if that's not your purpose-it's not- and I admire your fortitude and continued effort in the face of what seems a somewhat negatively overwhelming task (at least to me).
In terms of the make-up of other forums, I certainly believe you, because I know I have a bad habit of shutting some things out, like the fact that all those pornographic forums, etc exist and are impacting our kids so negatively, just because I don't know what to do about it.
I know that's a cop out, but to me it just feels like it's been a tidal wave that has swept in and engulfed our culture and our children. I find it so appalling and so threatening- to the point that everytime I allow my daughter to use the computer, I feel like I'm saying ,"Yes, put yourself at risk-here why don't you play with these knives and matches while you're at it." So I rarely let her go on-even when she tells me she has to do homework- I hate to do it-I feel like I'm allowing her to be exposed to cancer causing chemicals or something. And though I do try to monitor her exposure and set rules, kids are kids, and I know that as well as anyone, having been a pretty mischievous and curious kid myself and having always found a way to do what I wanted to do-so why should I expect her (or any other kid) to be any different?
So my modus operandi or reaction is always to try to concentrate on the positive-because honestly, that's the only way I can make it through the day without giving into complete hopelessness, fear and despair over what's happening in our world-but I can see that we need people to face this stuff head on.
So yeah, going into these forums, where your message is not the normal material, is definitely a way to at least expose these young people to something different and enriching and maybe it will be seen as such a novelty and that might spark some curiousity and motivation in some young person to steer him or herself in another direction. There's always hope, especially if people are still trying, as you are.
Aidan
I see no where else that young people might come into contact with rich ideas. Hopefully some will stick to some individuals. It is a dirty job but who else if not I? I think that the task is a numbers task as opposed to an individual teacher/pupil task.
Self-reliance is part of my message, weaning from the teacher/pupil mold is necessary.
