Noam Chomsky

Charles Lindbergh

Today is an anniversary of the daring flight 

 by pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh

across the Atlantic ocean in 1927 

to become the first human to stand 

in New York and Paris on the same day--

a feat which is duplicated in comfort daily 

by thousands now.

Lindbergh said:

"What civilization was not founded on adventure."

and

"We live today in the dreams of yesterday 

and, living those dreams,

dream again.

...

B.B. King Memorial

Blues music's king.

"The song has ended

but the melody lingers on."

...

Aaron Schwartz

"Everything you've learned is only provisional."

Aaron Schwartz, computer expert, hounded by government to suicide.
R.I.P.

...

Some Times

Some times following

Some times leading

Some times learning

Some times teaching

...

Life Surfing

Surfers may have it right:

 Get ready. 

Enter the element in the best place.

Wait until conditions are right, 

then with a few powerful strokes

get up to speed.

Stand up. 

Balance, moving on the board.

Stay just ahead of the break

and ride it out

...

Curriculum

Most high school students here in California carry cell telephones

equipped with camera, calculator, GPS and flashlight. 

At present they are far more interested in these devices 

and skilled in their use than in traditional computers 

or traditional classroom activities.

 If they can read, send simple messages and understand simple arithmetic,

by using their cell phones, they can function successfully in today's society.

Athletic endeavors, operating appropriate machines, driving cars, 

getting along with others and feeling good about themselves 

are also very important features of contemporary education

 and schools, as they exist, are good places to learn and practice these skills.

Deeper learning, the sciences and humanities, of classical education, 

while enriching to human society and individuals,

are perhaps not so necessary for all and could be

undertaken as desired only by such persons 

who wish to follow such pursuits.

Deeper education could be understood as a lifelong process

not necessarily finished

in a specific four or five year make-or-break curriculum.

Unfortunately, cellphones transmit huge doses of radiation into the bodies of users
and will probably be the main cause of illness in the near future
as popular cigarette smoking was to an earlier generation..

...