Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner
wrote Teaching As A Subversive Activity,
but it could have been entitled,
"Living As A Subversive Activity,"
because it is up to all of us
to "subvert attitudes, beliefs and assumptions
that foster chaos and uselessness"
(Their words in their book).
They say, "(Students) are almost never required
to make observations, formulate definitions,
or perform any intellectual operations
that go beyond repeating what someone else says is true."
That is everywhere we go.
The "church," for instance,
is grounded on "what someone else says is true."
They say, "Knowledge is produced in response to questions.
And new knowledge results from the asking of new questions,
quite often new questions about old questions."
They say, Once you have learned how to ask questions--
relevant and appropriate and substantial questions--
you have learned how to learn,
and no one can keep you from learning
what you need to know."
And, "The most important intellectual ability
we have yet developed--the art and science
of asking questions--is not taught in school!"
And, "What's worth knowing?" More than how to find out
what you need to know when you need to know it?
And, "The art and science of asking questions
is the source of all knowledge."
Where are questions encouraged in your life,
particularly the right kind of questions?
The kind of questions that question the validity
of "final answers" across the board?
How many questions do you ask in a day?
Particularly questions like,
"Who says so?"
"How do they know?"
"What is it good for?"
"What/how does that help us do that needs to be done?"
The more questions we ask--
and the better our questions become--
the better our life gets,
and the better our future becomes.
Start every day with, "What makes you think so?"
And see where it goes.
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Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 