Inner Dialogue

It's sad to see those who prefer to pound square pegs into round holes in the name of efficiency instead of allowing assets to be used where they will be most productive. Efficiency over productivity almost never produces either and never compensates for the loss of passion & forward momentum that happens when people are forced into situations for which they are not well suited. Instead, the peg either shatters from the effort or is pounded into something it was never meant to be in the first place. Much better to let good people do what they do well because then they will do more then they are ever asked to do. that takes vision and leadership and a willingness to go against the conventional management wisdom of our day. that doesn't happen too often.

I just finished reading the classic book, Fahrenheit 451. Several parts resonated with me and made me wonder... was this a commentary on the current times Bradbury lived in or a vision of where the future was going (and where we might be now)? He had some things to say about the subject in an interview reported on by TechDirt. In any case, there are certainly some disturbing parallels to the world we find ourselves in now and the school environments our children all to often find themselves in. What will it take for us (for you, for me) to break rank and go to the other side of the tracks? Where will we be when the inevitable collapse happens? Armed with the tools needed for rebuilding? Or gone in the rubble of a soon to be forgotten empire? I wonder... 

In reference to Clarisse McClellan, Beatty said:

"She was a time bomb. The family had been feeding her subconscious, I'm sure, from what I saw of her school record. She didn't want to know how a thing was done, but why. That can be embarrassing. You ask why a lot of things and you wind up very unhappy indeed, if you keep at it. The poor girl's better off dead...

Luckily, queer ones like her don't happen often. We know how to nip most of them in the bud, early. You can't build a house without nails and wood. If you don't want a house built, hide the nails and wood. If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing as war. If the government is inefficient, top-heavy, and tax-mad, better it be all those than that people worry over it. Peace, Montag. Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs or the names of state capitals or how much corn Iowa grew last year. Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damn full of 'facts' they feel stuffed, but absolutely 'brilliant' with information. Then they'll feel they're thinking, and they'll get a sense of motion without moving. And they'll be happy, because facts of that sort don't change. Don't give them slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies melancholy. Any man who can take a TV wall apart and put it back together again, and most men can, nowadays, is happier than any man who tries to slide-rule, measure, and equate the universe, which just won't be measured or equated without making man feel bestial and lonely. I know, I've tried it; to hell with it. So bring your clubs and parties, your acrobatics and magicians, your daredevils, jet cars, motorcycle helicopters, your sex and heroin, more of everything to do with automatic reflex. If the drama is bad, if the film says nothing, if the play is hallow, sting me with the theremin, loudly. I'll think I'm responding to the play, when it's only a tactile reaction to vibration. But I don't care. I just like solid entertainment."

~ Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, 1953

What's wrong with 20th Century Business:

1. Management - Implicit Slavery
2. Accounting - Implicit Scarcity
3. Scheduling - Implicit Apocalypse
4. Facilities - Implicit Prisons
5. Differentiation - Implicit Moralizing
6. Procedures - Implicit Stereotyping

~ Grant Morgan Czerepak

I'd like to say that there's never been a time in my life when the conflict between what I value and what I am faced with dealing with has been greater than it is right now. I'd like to say that the distraction, anger, level of anxiety, and mental space this is taking up has never been higher than it is right now. Because that would mean this is a first and I haven't had to deal with it before. That would not be so bad then, right? Unfortunately, I just made a connection between where I am right now and where I was six years ago at almost this very same time of the year. Six years? Has it really been that long since the long term assault on my value system finally tipped the scales over from anger to indifference? Has it been that long since my mind, which had so long been wrapped up in problem solving mode to try and fix something that was beyond repair, finally just said, enough is enough. By that time, I had dealt with years and years of distraction that kept me from feeling like I could realize my full potential as a mother, as a woman, as a teacher... seemingly endless hurdles to jump over before being able to spread my wings and fly. And yet, here I am once again, at the very same juxtaposition of feelings between responsibility and reality, between anger and indifference, between feeling pulled down by the past and excited about the future. I remember specifically the feeling of being "done", of it just being about logistics now, and of the great relief I felt once the decision to move forward was made. In reality, I had been done for a while but it took some time and introspection to convince myself that what I felt in my heart was not just some rash reaction to stress, that I wasn't just running away to avoid a fight. Now here I stand, at a similar place, feeling fully "done" and having to justify why the fight isn't worth the cost to those who mean well but don't understand the full impact such a battle would have in terms of a continued assault to my values. But look at all you will lose, they say, without understanding all that has already been lost.

I remember a few years ago, my youngest daughter, the one who openly loves and trusts everyone, who believes that the world should love her back just as fully, was assaulted on the playground in a random act of violence. The offender was reprimanded and no lasting physical harm was done, but she cried the heart wrenching sobs of one who's view of the world was forever changed, of lost innocence, of broken trust. It wasn't the physical pain that caused her to shed tears (because that was minimal). It was the emotional pain of not understanding why someone would treat her, anyone, like that. I am reminded of this incident because she is so much like me in that sense... giving all she has first without asking for much in return aside from trust and integrity. I gave everything and I sacrificed much... I was always available when needed and I never said "no" when asked for help. I didn't do it for recognition, I did it because my values told me that people are important and the passion I felt for what I did inspired those around me to want to know more. I did it out of love and excitement and because I believed in the cause. I've shed my tears over the rocks that have been thrown and the greatest distress comes from those who should know better but jump on the bandwagon anyhow. It's already gone... and at this point, it feels fairly final that it won't be coming back. The only question now is about logistics. I guess I really have arrived at the same place. Sad.

"Humans have conveyed short messages, rife with meaning, for over thirty thousand years. Smoke signals have traversed the airways. Expressive quips filled Seinfeld's show. At all stages and ages, we burst forward." ~ Marcia Connor Twitterbursts: It's Not About The Tools; It's All About The Tools

My response: Excellent! i was just having a conversation with someone about the merits of microblogging & the effect it has on language in general. my position has always been that language is not intrinsically good or bad. it is dynamic and contextual. there are modes that are more appropriate for some contexts than others, and that can be learned (indeed, we already do switch modes when talking to elders, friends, subordinates). Speaking "digitally" is no different. Teach kids/adults what mode is appropriate for which context.

You said "improving our mindfulness by encouraging us to ask ourselves consistently, "Is this something I should share?" Excellent! This was also something I talked about recently. Being concise is a fine art and I am intrigued with how I edit my tweets to fit the message I am trying to convey. Learning that just because you can share it doesn't mean you should share it is also an important lesson. Thank you for a thoughtful article!

DK at 6:37am June 25:

The home environment can undo a lot you try to do at school. That's why we've lowered the kindergarten age yr after yr... - Fahrenheit 451

MD at 6:56am June 25:

Yeah...I hear that... so in other words, Parents/families are bad influence, school is a good influence. I'll reserve the foul language I have for that sentiment...

MN at 8:09am June 25:

yep, they're just trying to get our children sooner to indoctrinate them so they think involved parents are a bad thing and run to the state to be their mom and dad. so parents are just supposed to have the children, feed and cloth them and turn them over to someone else to raise them? i don't think so!!

DM at 8:43am June 25:

Have you SEEN some of the "home environments" some of these kids come from? In some cases, prison would be a step up and a nice change... addicted, uninvolved "parents"...

JH at 9:02am June 25:

Some parent do their job. Many don't. School is perhaps the best influence a child can have, and a great introduction into real life.

DM at 9:25am June 25:

Absolutely Joseph!

DK at 9:26am June 25:

Yes, but back up a step and think about where those parents got THEIR education. It's a downward spiral. I love teachers. I know many awesome teachers. I AM a teacher. This isn't about them. It's about a broken system that does what it is designed to do, but doesn't respond to the dynamic world we live in now. If the parents you speak about had learned how to THINK intelligently & solve problems resourcefully so that they could pass that on to their kids, we might not be having this discussion. Upcoming rant on the lack of intelligent decision making capability coming soon!

MM at 10:30am June 25:

the Main event!! Ha, this is the big battle for me! But no matter what I choose being involved is the main key here no matter where my child goes to school!!! I believe that a good start for the child is having active parents in their lives!!

DM at 10:38am June 25:

Thinking intelligently is learned yes, putting it into practice or not is a choice. A terrible cycle of humanity; stupid people breeding more stupid people.

We take a test for a license to drive a car so that we ensure we are safe and responsible. This begs the question then why there is no Parenting License. Shouldn't there be SOME level of expertise displayed before going out and procreating???

KM at 1:20pm June 25:

I think the school environment can undo a lot we try to do at home!

DK at 1:50pm June 25:

Agreed with most of the above. My bff says "stupidity should be painful" lol. I'm not sure however, given the age I was when I started having kids that I would have passed a test! When you are 21 you think you know it all... and then you realize much later how little you really did know!

As I said earlier, my ideas about homeschooling aren't driven by bad teachers. I was blessed to have the best ones in my own education. It's about a system that is so out of control & unstable that it willingly sacrifices the best interests of our children by pink slipping outstanding 2nd grade teachers (hypothetically, of course) so that more kids can be crammed into smaller spaces with less attention to their individual needs because it is more "cost-effective", never mind the long term cost to society in term of the economy, the justice system, the welfare system, etc...

No one knows my kids better than I do (not even the best teachers). I'll do what it takes to make sure they don't turn into factory era drones our system is designed to crank out. If that means teaching them at home, I will. At the very least, it means I will stay closely connected to their classroom experience (hence sub credential, school board & site council service).

Don't get me started! (oh wait, you already did)!

MM at 5:48pm June 25:

Here go for round two!

Upon leaving the Getty Museum:

Preteen girls grossed out by anatomically correct male sculpture. "I saw something I was hoping not 2 see for a very, very, very long time!"

Conversation continued: 8yr old boy said "but the thingy is the most important part!" dad said "thingy? you mean like your eyes or nose?" Boy replied "no! the ULTIMATE thingy!!!" ROFL!!

DK  June 19 at 3:58pm:

Agreed. for preschool also. RT @shareski Home schooling trumps full-day kindergarten. http://bit.ly/tf7AB

KMK at 7:12pm June 19:

not when it comes to social interaction which is a more important developmental task at that age.

DK at 7:26pm June 19:

actually there is all kinds of evidence that the social interaction kids get at school, especially at that age, isn't what would be considered positive for long term emotional or social development. as one of the commenters in the article said:

In the Kolbe Little Home Journal (Fall 2005), there is a brief item called "Homeschooling Family Finds Ways to Adapt to a Public School 'Socialization' Program." Here it is:

"When my wife and I mention we are strongly considering homeschooling our children, we are without fail asked, 'But what about socialization?' Fortunately, we found a way our kids can receive the same socialization that government schools provide. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I will personally corner my son in the bathroom, give him a wedgie and take his lunch money. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my wife will make sure to tease our children for not being in the 'in' crowd, taking special care to poke fun at any physical abnormalities. Fridays will be 'Fad and Peer Pressure Day".

DK at 7:27pm June 19:

this is an old debate filled with fallacies and poorly defended arguments that is always used by proponents entrenched in the traditional (and failing) system of education when they can't come up with anything else reasonable to say about homeschooling. time for a new argument!

KMK at 7:54pm June 19:

the bigger problem is the education system pushing elementary curriculum younger than most kids are ready for. Kindergarten used to be about socialization and learning a basic foundation to succeed in school. Now it is what 1st grade used to be. I'm not against home schooling there just needs to be social activities for complete developmental success. I have had friends in college who were home schooled and finished high school equivalence at age 15, but said they felt like they missed out on the social activities of high school. One friend was a girl from Springville, very smart, was my lab partner for an entire year of majors biology.

DK at 7:56pm June 19:

agree... they do need social activities. I know lots and lots of homeschooling families however and i would say your friend was the exception rather than the rule. around here there is a very strong homeschool community and they do a prom, graduation, and many of the other traditional social things you find in high school... without all of the negative crap. i get lots of them in my college classes and they are generally better adjusted and prepared than the kids coming from the local high school. it's all a matter of balance.

KMK at 8:00pm June 19:

it is cool that there is a large enough community of like minded parents who are providing for ALL of their children's needs. That is not true everywhere, though public school most places doesn't come close at all.

A Porterville friend, Jenny, posted this to her flickr account recently. It definitely made me smile. She was one of my earliest LDS friends and always an awesome influence. One of my earliest memories of her is when she started a relief society lesson with her back to the group. When she turned around she had tissues sticking out of her nose. It was an object lesson of some sort... I don't remember what... but I do remember her sunny personality and willingness to go the extra mile. What a great role model!

I have known Debby for many years, she has since moved from the San Joaquin Valley and is enjoying teaching, (she is a computer genius), and managing a large and beautiful family. I love seeing her kids when they are here and pics in their new home.

My fondest memory is "assisting" Debby with delivering twin goatlets (I know that's not what they are really called, but it's cuter than kids) from a young and seemingly frightened goat. I love that memory and Debby.

Best wishes to you, Debby and the entire gang.

I tried to enhance, with the aid of my computer, this Guatemalan flower, (previous uploaded photo), to reflect how I see Debby, extremely bright, uplifting, fun, intelligent and a delight to be around.

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."

~ William Shakespere

I always wanted a happy ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.

Gilda Radner (1946 - 1989)

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

Student comment from spring 2009 term:

"Once again I am feeling that I am able to understand the technology by playing, tinkering, and testing with technology rather than being confined to just implementing technology. This is what I feel are the most valuable parts of this course." ~aw

I got this email yesterday from a student in one of my classes this semester:

Hello Debby,

I am sorry to have done a disappearing act on you.  It started innocently enough.  I was blessed to find my long-lost brother after 24 years!  And it was all thanks to you!  :)  Because of your assignment to check out Facebook, which I had personally been bucking doing, I signed up and within a few days someone who knew both of us found me and hooked us up!  I will be forever grateful for that; thank you SO very much!  Anyway, he lives in Guatemala, where we were both born and raised.  The day after we found each other he went to work and found out his boss needed him to go to Texas that weekend!  He talked to his wife, scraped up the money and flew out to CA for a couple of days after his work in Texas was done.  It was such an incredible reunion.  All of my 6 kids manages to converge in CA for that time.  We were truly blessed!

AA

Very cool!

"No matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve."

~ Barack Obama

from http://linked2leadership.com/2009/05/12/a-mother-of-a-leader/

Mothers and leaders add value by serving others.

As stated by John Maxwell in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership... "the bottom line in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others."

Mothers and leaders must be able to connect emotionally to others.

Primal Leadership: "Even if they get everything else just right, if a leader fails in this primal task of driving emotions in the right direction, nothing they do will work as well as it could or should." 

Mothers and leaders must know when to lead and when to let go.

John Maxwell writes "Good leaders recognize that when to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.  Timing is often the difference between success and failure in an endeavor."

The wise person possesses humility. He knows that his small island of knowledge is surrounded by a vast sea of the unknown.

~ Harold C. Chase

Sometimes a journey is not distance and time...

~ Micheal Swank

This is probably one of my favorite journal comments from this past week:

Another area that I can comment on is that based on your style of teaching (constructivist?), in this course I feel as though I am learning how to go back and "play, learn, and discover" with technology as opposed to "work and fix" technology as required in my job.  I am not certain why I may not have done this in the past (have always been a "tech-geek" at heart); but I am finding some novelty in some of our projects when applied outside of the everyday context of my job and this class.  Granted I did not feel too comfortable with the outcome of my podcast, but the experience in using the technology generated some ideas for me on to use this technology in other ways such as sending audio letters to friends and families (and of course in the office environment).

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." 

~ Lao Tzu