I recommend a video interview with Thomas Sowell concerning his book, Intellectuals and Society. Dr. Sowell comments on many things including the disasters intellectuals have visited upon society and the arrogance and determination of the practically ineffective, but theoretically perfect.
Sowell points out that the Global Warming Mistake is a perfect example of “Intellectuals”, a) Predicting a catastrophe without understanding it, b) Providing a solution only they are wise enough to implement, c) Suggesting a solution which requires more control over the proles, and, d) Requiring a solution that will cost a lot of money because guidance from the Elite never comes cheap, it would be unseemly if it did.
Perhaps these will be my last comments on Central Falls High School in Rhode Island where, after years of failing to improve, the entire staff was fired. I’m still convinced that this is political posturing of the most predictable sort with backroom understanding determining the outcome which will be almost every person working for the same school board next year. There are; however, many twists.
The first is that it happened at all in a strongly Democratic state. Obama is on record, by word and deed, as a strong union supporter. More puzzling is that he and his Secretary of Education are both supportive of the firings.
Although student skills can be improved after eight years of learning little, it is more difficult to teach K to 8 grade skills in high school along with the high school curriculum. The children probably reached the high school with skills well below Grade 8.
Although some people believe you can get the lid off the olive jar by setting your mouth right, the lid is more likely to be removed by a tool which increases grip and leverage. Doing a little bit more of the same with a better attitude won’t work.
There are undoubtedly at least a dozen things which should be done to fix the situation, but changing the incentives would take care of them all. I boldly predict the incentives won’t be touched.
Cheerio and ttfn,
Grant Coulson
Cui Bono–Cherchez les Contingencies
