Dumbing Us Down, by John Taylor Gatto (1 of 2)

[totaoflow]

cropperb,You are a perfect example of how dumb we are being dumbed down.

[buffboynick]

The government is purposely "dumbing us ALL down", not just the kids in school.

They do it with chemicals in our food, water, and air.

They also use mainstream media and a network of disinfo shills to feed us all DISinformation.

I am the Antidote. My channel will deprogram those that wish to take the red pill. The Matrix has you.....

[MidKnightBlaze]

@buffboynick well said. Keep Awareness Flowing.

[llHyRaXll]

80% of the crap we learn in school is pointless facts that is completely useless for us. the books we read are a waste of time and dont benefit us in any way. school is so messed up, we need to focus on learning more important things, the teachers need to teach us usefull stuff, not give us a book and make us answer stupid fucking questions

[YeahWhyNot100]

Although I am glad to be able to send my kids to a private school and knowing it secures my children's position to be bosses, business leaders, etc. and it's not wrong for us to do so. It still saddens me that most American kids do not have that opportunity and that our tax $ was actually used to benefit the public. All children could and should be doing better, if only politics (the union) was not so HIGHLY involved in our school system which IS actually Dumbing Us Down. Wake up America!

[YeahWhyNot100]

I agree with John Taylor Gatto - I just watched "Waiting For Superman." I was in tears at the end. I am fortunate to send my kids to a private schools. The problem with our school system is the Teachers Union. Our school system designed to produce a few leaders and many workers- like in an ant colony. The elites send their kids to the best private schools or they are homeschooled by tutors. This secures their position as the ones who rule the working class. Very few escape this system :/

[Stevil3113]

You miss the point dude... sound like you are more of a product of what Gatto talks about then you know. School is a waste of time... the best way to be educated is through family and community ... not so elitist or "expert" douchebag who says ... "you should know this..."

[llHyRaXll]

@Stevil3113 why are teachers so specific about what we need to learn and focus on in school..doesnt most of it seem pointless, boring, a d ot beneficial to us?? i dont get why our world is like this.

[Stevil3113]

@llHyRaXll As Gatto points out in his book its not really about what they teach you ... its how they teach you. Everything in the education system is set up to produce slaves that wait to be told what to do ... not how to think for themselves and be creative, free thinkers. Reject the teachings learn for yourself and from others who are enlightened.

[rmjon23]

This guy SMELLS like a Randroid. I don't have any proof, but his overall style reminds me of every Ayn Rand lover I've ever met.

[ESP1EMG]

being an intellectual in a moron's society does nothing for you. so who cares?! send them to public school and COMMUNITY college. because knowledge isnt enlightenment, its perception of your shackles, which you can't break nor do anything about!

[kildekin]

@ESP1EMG I hate it but you are absolutely correct. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

[kdills]

My 2 sons were ran out of Texas highschool. Both had ADHD, behavior, emotional problems and in special ed. I finally had to homeschool one and another son's doctor deamed him "unstable" and the district had to send a teacher to our home so he could get a diploma. Teachers aren't teaching anymore-just issuing tests.

Where is the outrage? Why aren't parents revolting? Scrap the current system and start over again. Mr. Gatto did a superb job laying out the current system faults and it's huge.

[kdills]

This is a wonderful book by Mr. Gatto. I read it cover to cover. Texas school districts ran my 2 sons out of school. both of my kids had ADHD, learning disabilities and social anxiety disorder,. One son read and comprehended at the 5th grade level in 9th grade, yet all they would do is give him "modifications". You might as well give him Greek, because he couldn't understand. I finally had to pull him out and homeschool him.

Were is the ANGER? Why aren't parents revolting?

[spystyle]

John Taylor Gatto is a hero

[treborolyat]

Mr. Cropper is a victim of the what the book is about. The fact that he can't see the evil in having a numbered seat and position in class and having to move at the ringing of the bell misses the most salient points. As John Taylor Gatto states, compulsory education is about being put in your place, learning to find your assigned seat in life much like the caste system in India. Learning Obedience and productive usefullness to the state while losing your individuality as a cog in the machine.

[PrissyPris3000]

I hate his voice.

[batista777]

Videos like this don't really help the "pro-school" case... The man here seems pretty "dumbed down" if you ask me.

[rhastaman1960]

Dude, I thinking they may have dumbed you down.

[Shehasnomorals]

I attended college but dropped out before actually "completing" my degree. Its like my instincts simply took over and said "Why the hell are you doing this?"

I saw just how dumb college-educated people were, and are. One of my old associates is a 50-year old man that considers himself "successful." He buys every new iPhone that comes out, plays roleplaying games where he pretends to be an elf, and buys his food with credit cards.

Uh thanks, but no thanks "educational" system.

[lopytube]

@Shehasnomorals

I hear ya man.Im in training camp@$#%# I mean school now and let alone I dont see how there trying to kick me out for a questionable absence but also if a person pays tution why the hell should I get less tardy days paying for school then when I went 4 free??

Sometimes I wonder if ne of my classmates are near the same page as me.As far as asking themselves the teacher isnt really teaching shit.Last yr we had an instructor,John who taught what the others dont teach..hes gone

[Shehasnomorals]

@lopytube

Her/His (i.e. The teacher's) purpose is to dumb you down. That's what school is for..

[AlphaDelta500]

We are also stupid compared to Europe. I want to live in Italy when I grow up because the people there aren't as rude and as stupid as America is.

[Tritonium2k7]

@AlphaDelta500

Education became a problem here in Europe as well.

You may just look out for a open minded society.

Education is expensive. They want you to get into a corporation

and create wealth\ be productive. We don't celebrate our technological achieved freedom and prosperity. and use it for long term education, this is so sad...

[AlphaDelta500]

I went to a private school before i went to a public school. I am actually learning the same things i did in private school [I am in middle school right now; I used to go to a private school up until to 5th grade]. Guess What! There is a transfer student from Brazil in my school and she is probably smarter than me. Remember, I went to a private school here in America. I think she went to a public school in Brazil. Does this make sense? America is also the most rudest country in the world.

[bubburubb]

I have to agree with many of the comments here. You are taking the work of a man who research this subject intesely for over 15 years. Someone who did his homework, taught in the educational system, and then gave you his thoughts. A few of his conclusions were that kids can't stay focused and concentrate on one task for long (like not reading an entire short book before reviewing it) which is enforced by breaking up the subjects in to hour long sessions. The irony of this review is amazing!

[krillsinmakup]

"gitto" "gitto"?? are you really suposed to say gatto that way??

[jdbrown371]

You're reviewing a book you haven't completely read even though it's short. Morons always have an inflated sense of their intelligence and competence especially in matters where they lack firsthand experience. Talk about dumbing down.

[MrSelidor7]

Some good points but you need to read the full book before doing something like this. Take the bible for example. The first people to read the bible skipped to foreword and the dedication and the page saying "This story is fiction. Any resemblance of the events, names, personalities, places, or organizations in this story to actual names or events is coincidence." Years later they noticed and just removed it, too embarrassed to cancel the whole church thing.

[stanktodd]

So, why is it that anyone should take you seriously when you cannot make it through a 100-page book? Oi. Let me guess, you went to public school? You confirm the point he makes quite well.

[stanktodd]

So, why is it that anyone should take you seriously when you cannot make it through a 100-page book? Oi. Let me guess, you went to public school?

[Hegemonia20]

I am so pissed off that I had to sit through twelve years of trivial pursuit. Our bodies are atrophied from sitting in desks all day.

[chromiumk1d]

I think this is funny. He is applying the title of the book. Get it?

[azkeyz]

The problem will NOT go away untill amerigo pulls it's head out of it's posterior and gets a ligitimate hebrew education.

Otherwise it will still be fraud.

[clairediab]

Once you said you hadn't read the whole thing, that was enou-

[sirsaint88]

I have this book on my reading list. I must admit I am weary because Gatto is really a proponent of "unschooling" something I view as a horrible idea.

[flippyflappy1]

This guy doing the review was a product of the dumbed down. He can't even finish the book, so I am not going to finish this youtube review either.

[moolilpie]

I find your "review" condecending, judgemental, and sacastic. I can't believe anyone would "review" a book they haven't finished reading. You are so the reason I homeschool my child!

[miketangoromeo]

An educator who doesn't get it.

[DeschoolingSociety]

seems more like a polemic

[Pjaynes781]

Reading half a book and then doing a review on it seems quite DUMB. You must be an Illuminati plant sent to deceive and mislead people. Your so smart your like a white Buddha. You are so smart, SMRT. Go back to grass your just a sheep.

[Irisheyes77christy]

Why did you do a book review on a book that you only read half way through?

[lah312]

this is one of the best books i've ever read. hey cropperb, you are incredibly boring!stop taking yourself so serious.

[Sliepnir2006]

Acadamia Acadamia Acadamia, worship the great Godess Acadamia!

I love books, I love literature and I believe in education.

But what I don't believe in is the destruction of individuality and the use of children purely to prop up a clearly failing and outdated system that runs itself into debt.

Education should not be about feeding into the machinations of the state sausage factory controlled by blithering politicians.

Education, should cover all aspects, not just books...

[readmuch]

This is a known Fact and discovered through the anti-American Government sponsored program. But that program was shut down when to many facts were being revealed like the Rockefeller Foundations minutes; Ford Foundation and the like, who admitted to the planned proposal and destruction of this country through the educational system. Look for the interview of Norman Dodd, it's a fact.

[brooksie607]

I have to say that most of this review is so far off...and if you had read the book, or anything else by him you would have a better understanding of what he is saying.

1)class position refers to segregation and conformity.

2) you answered your self when you described the prussian system and WHY the bell was introduced yet you don't have a problem with it? why have a bell? colleges dont have a bell and people do not have issues with getting to class.

[jaymthegenius]

By "Class position" I thought he was going to talk about how a student who went to Exeter (or some other feed into the Ivy) can get into Harvard with a C, but a public school valedictorian might not get in.

[mPuzzlem]

What an Idiot, a short review on a short book he hasn't read! You don't even know how to pronounce his name. Your a product of what Gatto points out as wrong with the system, very funny. Try and be less dumb next time.

[essy111]

Compare Jordan Maxwell and Michael Tsarion

[SSSSTSILYALPRUO]

what were your findings?

[SCLARK2112]

There's an old verse found in the Bible that reads "by their fruits ye shall know them". Just look at the "fruit" produced by America's public schools. When test scores are compared to other developed countries, America is at or near the bottom in all subjects. John Gatto is right and his book is excellent.

[moonbeare]

So, let me get this straight...he read half the book and is prepared to give a dissertation?

Mr...whoever you are...you are clueless. Read the whole book in its entirety, and again, if need be, and come back to me tomorrow. You have obviously missed the point completely.

[orbiggie]

Mr. Cropper is an NWO wannabee. What a loser. He is obviously trying to cherry pick through some of the more significant internet resources to stop international bankers from destroying our society, and by putting his annoying posts in front of the real videos, he manages to obfuscate the truth. His annoying schtick is part of the plan. He is a disinformer. If he's not being paid for this, or brown nosing some organization for favors, then he is simply a young elitist swine. Cropper: eat me.

[gosciu555]

This guy is an arrogant, cowardly, ignorant, know it all wanna-be. He's the type of person who would turn his back on the most fucked up shit just to maintain his position. These ayn rand freaks should be deported to some island of pure ayn rand freakdom and lets see how they do. All these stupids know how to do is to parasitize off others.

[mld0702]

I am currently reading "Dumbing Us Down" and came across this "review"As a student of education, I have not yet fully developed my own educational ideals. However, I think this "review" is uneducated, uninformed, and in bad taste.

Try reading the entire book next time before you attempt to annalyze it for the world, or better yet, try teaching for 30 years in the public school system. I'm sure it's a real eye-opener.

[beejusbeejus]

Amen. Did you also notice his sarcastic expressions while reading quotes from the book? Ridiculous.

[tangel476]

@mld0702

I have not read the book also but came across excerpts of it in numerous articles.

Relating it to my early school years experience, the book is on target.

[Hashishin13]

@mld0702 What is your comment even trying to say? Are you defending the current system? Are you a teacher of 30 years or a student? You seem to have two comments from two seperate people mashed into one, schizophrenic maybe?

[nancyl2]

@mld0702 I do agree the man should have READ THE WHOLE Book; BUT I find it interesting that the words the teacher writes + he is "READING FROM THE BOOK" says a whole lot. My mother-in-law was a special-child teacher in the N.J. School system until her late 70's they did not want to lose her.--> In her 1983 diary ( N. J). she says what the new math did to the students + even the teachers. She wrote, "The children on this new math come away not knowing how to Divide 100 by 10." :-( Wake up

[glopur0]

The real implications of this are the psychological aftershock of the battered individuals, and the way that they project these ideas into "society" and justify a violent central authority.

[glopur0]

freedomainradio

psychohistory

All rational thinkers need to google these now!!! Educate yourselves!

[ednshell]

I'm the same way when I find a must read book, I tell everyone while I'm reading it not after I'm done. It's so exciting. I loved his book, 'The Underground History of American Education'!

Dumbing us down is great too!

[yahags]

books are gay

[Leq001]

He doesn't want his own precious kids to mix up with poor idiots like us, does he?

[mellowtribe]

The government is doing a great job destroying Detroit and its school system. But hey they love Obabma so maybe he will help them out. Maybe Obama can explain why he spends 30,000 a year for his kids private schooling.

[apologiamixer]

Gatto admits being libertarian (pg 101), claims "It was our own trust in our own potential that helped lay down good foundations back in the colonial period"(pg. 94). He fails to point out that it was actually trust in God. He blames the "institution" for everything and suggests that intimate community is the solution. A corrupt community however is no better than a corrupt institution. Though Gatto has made some good observations I think he lives in a bit of an anarchist fantasy world.

[pigeatinginfidel]

There is no such thing as anarchy. You can either organize society via government or some other central authority, or people can organize themselves. But organization happens, not anarchy. It's just a question of which kind you want. Government organizes society using force or the threat of it. People organize themselves using free choice and mutual benefit and cooperation.

[SSSSTSILYALPRUO]

No. Anarchy is simply the absense archy.. heirarchy.

[mcdozer7]

I think it would have been better you had finished reading the book before wasting our time with this video. "He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Proverbs18:13).

[911insidejo8]

I agree, he says the book isn't particularly long and then stupidly admits he hasn't read it as if such a stupid admission helps his already questionable credibility.

[p717]

My experience with public education involved pabulum mixed with an emphasis on industrial productivity. That's about the only thing I think I gleaned from public education. That's why I kept quitting school as a kid, was advanced grades twice when tested as a "re-integrated drop out" and finally quit after 10th grade, got a GED and went to vocational, then to technical college.

[Vega88beats]

when you cut down the last tree and poisen the last river, you will know!

that you cannot eat money.

this is what my grandfather said, when I asked him why he become a farmer instead of a banker.

one love

[beejusbeejus]

A book review without completing the book? Moronic.

[neothomist1275]

"The industrial revolution stripped away many of the functions from the traditional family. Education went to the schools, care of the elderly went to the state, work was tranfrerred to the factory, and so forth...The family did not disappear after the industrial revolution. But if became smaller, took on more limited responsibilty, and lost much of its power vis-a-vis other institutions in society." -- Alvin Toffler

[SoulxSpectre]

John taylor Gatto is an amazing man, with amazing ideas and an amazing mind, his book is amazing.

You can tell I am somewhat amazed.

[MaxLibertas]

I know how you feel. I just happened to stumble upon one of his videos and it blew me away. I've been aware of him now for about two hours and I can't believe he's not a household name. I can't wait to read his book. I'm sending his youtube vids to everyone I know.

[kasia4450]

i agree with everything but the gymnasium part, kids only play video games at home so it's good if school exposes them to physical activity.

[SoulxSpectre]

What makes you think that kids only play video games at home? Do you know every single child? There is life outside of school.

[aarontheguitar]

I CANNOT AGREE MORE, with this video

[gunsandbullhorns]

"The Ominous Parallels" by Dr. Leonard Peikoff?

Thankyou for the recommendation, sir. I will definitely read it. ;)

I recommend Gatto's 'Underground History of American Education'.

[RogerHoare]

J.T. Gatto has had 30 years experience of teaching, which matters not to a shiny, new Randroid. A newly-minted Randroid doesn't have to read a whole (short) book to tell us with's wrong with it. The Randroid is never wrong. The Randroid has read Atlas Shrugged. As we know, Auntie Ayn is never wrong. A Randroid does not care about education, only the correct programming. [Metallic voice:] "We... are... Ob-jek-tiv-ists! We... have... the... Onlyyy Trrrue Wayyyy . . ."

[teewillis1981]

LOL

[Tekka]

LOL, I'm going to have to steal that Randroid bit.

[DrRonPaul]

Please read Charlotte Iserbyt's book sir.

[fayik123]

do you realize the amount of suicides this government is responsible for? i realize now that terrorism has many forms. were all humans and all the same but this bloodline of villains who gained control of the people which would be the royal family terrorised people in the early ages which is how they gained there positions of today. royal family are the biggest terrorists on the planet through out history. they have killed many

[fayik123]

its blatent fascism. THe thing that puzzles me is why would somebody impose strict rules upon a race of people to such a serious degree. I can understand people not wanting to be murdered or attacked e.t.c but why are school kids dictated to as though they are trash in lesson and not allowed to relax. It sclearly obvious that this system is gonna colapse.  AN empire of destruction usually ends up crashing down on top of the people who constructed it. people have no freedom of choice.

[fayik123]

whats the best way to deal with these weirdos on public transport who give you the evil stare when gravity causes ur suitcase to bang which is normality in the uk and they stare at you. this is why i dont think all people crammed in one tiny area is a good plan. I have thought about killing a few when my nearly up. people who r like this dont deserve to live as they make it hard for you to relax the way they stare. I sya kill em all. but only the bad ones.

[fayik123]

LEts topple these people once and for all. I'm tired of living by rules and regulations. MAybe its just shit in the uk. IF you even slam something down in public as gravity does when you place something heavy down thee weirdos stair at you as though you have done something strange. THey dont realize placing objects down makes noise due to gravity and relaxation. I don't even leave my house in the uk its so bad. its full of these weirdo who constantly look at wot ur doing.

[eventide925]

If one questions authority, and practices critical thinking the authorities will find it very heard to dumb one down.

[fayik123]

but that is when the true nature of the fascist system comes into play and really starts to show. you aren't allowed to question authority. This is modern day national socialism after all but just with excepting every race, well at least for the sake of their system. International fucked up day is one way of describing it. anybody who has a kid is automaticaly made to enslave there kid to this machine. they have no say in the matter and must obey. wheres the right in any of this. attack them now

[gosciu555]

what kind of family do you come from buddy? are you a rich kid or just a regular guy? where did you go to school, mind sharing?

[fayik123]

Well it is scary to see the kind of people that hold positions of power in the united kingdom. THe amount of mistakes being made in the uk lately is beyond belief by all kinds of people. The uk is like a giant reject bin

[fntime]

This is the NWO fayik, they are going back

to feudalism, where the people will be 'mentally jailed' and at the same time,

will be their own jailers.

Look at the Bildbergers, International bankers

(ie Rothchilds), aristocrats, ex-Nazi's,

the old rich.

[fayik123]

Why should the government decide our fate?

[Dboy66]

You mean why should idiots like BLIPOT (posting below) decide your fate? Good question! Notice he claims to be in the Dept of Education at SMU but has not even mastered BASIC spelling! Need anyone say more! One look at BLIPOT proves everything Gatto is saying. The wrong people are in charge! Idiots can thrive in Education Departments at SMU....what does THAT tell you?

dboy

[fayik123]

YOu still have no choice in the education you choose and you have to obey what ever country you are born in. YOu have no say and are forced to obey authority. I don't like the way schools don't allow students to chill and relax while working like drinking coffeee and eating to help them relax. THis is breach of human rights. Having authority just causes bad psychology and creates fear in the mind. NO school teacher has the right to say somebody cannot drink a cup of coffee in lesson

[BLIPOT]

My opinions about John Taylor Gato's work and carrer will be posted later. But, a critque of the review is critical. This young man obviously lacks minimal training in literary and historical pedagogy His inability to clearly articulate a relevant and systematic arguement, (and not reading the Gato's book) is an extrodinary example of what John Tayor Gato describes as "inept educational bravado". At Southern Methodist University's Ed Dept, you've earned a D+. Bob Gowing D Ed.

[Dboy66]

Ah, is that the same SMU that plans on building a monument to the great intellectual George W. Bush? Don't make me laugh. SMU is a joke school created for the benefit of Highland Park twits. Your wannabe school certainly doesn't give you any station to be making fun of the poor idiot in this video. Crap schools like SMU are part of the PROBLEM, not the solution. In fact, this guy REMINDS me of your typical SMU student. And by the way BLIPOT, ebonics is NOT English, so learn how to spell.

dboy

[fntime]

You are an 'ass'. The thought of you, interacting with children, is quite frightening. And you have earned an F, for

failure.

"Now go home and get your fuckin' shoe shine

box".

[laetrille]

I dont know why people dont like to learn, most people in my high schoo have their head stuck in their ass. Learning is a passion for me, primarily medecine, knowledge is a cocaine for me. I think so much I literaly have trouble sleeping. Oxycodone helps me with that. Knowledge is power, very true.

[SlaveStorm]

Have you seen Ricardo Semler and his new school system in Brazil?

[portiapettigrew]

One day instead of going to math and reading we had to watch the girls basketball team play for two hours. And I'm barley passing math! I asked my teacher what Basketball had to do with learning and she said that a lot of kids didn't get see the games!

[eversincealways]

"One day instead of going to math and reading we had to watch the girls basketball team play for two hours. And I'm barley passing math!"

The math curriculum is being re-written so that you will not be able to understand it. What grade are you in? When was your math book published?

If I were you I'd go to a used book store or library and pick up some old math books from the 60s or 70s.

[perkele0079]

Teaching them confusion is a key point. It conditions them to compartmentalize their minds.

[perkele0079]

If I have kids, I'm going to school them at home using the Socratic method.

[talks2dead]

What is your IQ? What place on high do you reside in that gives you the right to criticize a true teacher...all you wanna be's just serve to confuse the real truth

[bodhidarma1]

Inhibiting independent practices from k-12 and throughout undergrad is a waste of human potential and, if you want, human resources.

There should be a gradual shifting from curriculum to mentorship. Gatto is not completely off base when he says that students should be able continue to focus on a subject of interest after the bell rings.

Gatto is talking about a consciousness shift. It is hard to conceive dramatically different alternatives. You can't see a world without bells.

[bodhidarma1]

Question: Did Gatto specify the age at which he felt children should gain the independence you deem unrealistic in the classroom? You criticize him for this, but mention no specifics. And not having read his book in its entirety, you claim that he poses no solution.

Children should be slowly weened from assessment and unbending curriculum starting at some specified age or display of academic maturity, preferably in the middle school to late elementary school years. That's what he's saying.

[4GodinVA]

Thanks for an enlightening review of Gatto's book and philosophy. Unfortunately, some of the comments below come from philosophically deprive public school grads. I believe that if the philosophy of a school is correct --

the education and training of human beings to become morally upright and thinking adults -- then even a few flaws in the system won't have a lasting impact on the lives of the students.

The gov't schools operate on a philosophy straight out of hell! Poor kids.

[docmoriarti]

I am gonna have to disagree with the short lessons being a problem. Specialization is useful for adults because their brains are less agile... this is not an empty statement. I can back it up scientifically. Children can switch context much more easily and need to learn a wide breadth of information. Adults are better served by educating themselves more narrowly but to greater depth. One easy way to show this is how children can learn multiple languages and effortlessly switch between them.

[bill0756]

You've picked out ONE Gatto point, but Ill address it. Where is it proven that 45 minutes(or however long a school session is) is the ideal length for learning?? I think one of Gatto's points is that the sessions are not tailored per student. Children's breadth of learning relates to thier ability to tie unrelated subjects together,...are they allowed to bring one subject into another?...I'd say Gatto is right and they aren't. Children now are strictly forced into performance on demand.

[bigsloe]

WHAT A DOUCHE

[polyzygote]

you have no idea what you are talking about so i won't even bother with criticism. finish the book and do some additional research and then come back and try again. i.e. go do your homework :)

[jimdext]

As Bugs Bunny would say, "What a Maroon!"

[turbidbitch1]

This guy = asshole

[monkeypayson]

Oh the humanity! He can't even pronounce Gatto's name.

It's the end of times my friends.

[gatekeeper96740]

Educating for the New World Order This is the story of how Anita Hoge investigated and uncovered how the state of Pennsylvania was implementing a psychological test to measure the students' beliefs, yet calling it "educational testing" to unsuspecting students and parents. Those with the "wrong" opinion receive extra "treatment". charlotte iserbyt video is also Great.

[hetoame]

Wow. Why would you put your ignorance on display like this? He probably went to public school. Way to validate the book you 'didn't' read!

[aBookADay]

The only thing this guy does well is read Gatto's 7 points. THis guy is even a light year from the caliber of Gatto.I have read this book and it is right on. After listening a few minutes to this guy I had to stop because I felt he was watering down and severely warping Gatto's message, maybe on purpose.

Read Gatto's book he spent 10years writing free/online at his website.

johntaylorgatto dot com slash index slash chapters.htm

[aBookADay]

I have followed Gatto for a few years now.

He is extremely well read and intelligent.

The guy on this video detracts and distracts from what John Gatto says. I had to quit listening at the children being numbered stage because I think it is a HUGE deal, not like this nimwit says, its not a big deal. And I dont like this guys tone of voice. He makes himself sound like he is intelligent & important. I did not see either.

[marsgary]

We've ended up with Nazis too my friend.

[neverbeenfree]

This book reporter is stupid. He is dumbed down beyond belief. He fails to grasp the lessons of Gatto, whose name he cannot even pronounce.

[churchesbasement]

but none the less I understand your wanting of which to tell others of mans inhumanity to man and not to mention that you yourself look like a school teacher and in my mind if your not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem and hopefully people in America and Canada will stick together for the sake of intelligence ( that doesn't include being smart enough to count pocket change in the grocery stores you all are so dependent on)

[churchesbasement]

the only real way your going to get people to listen about the government monoply schooling istitutions and how the government segregates the flow of information to only those who can afford it will be getting them to read the book on their own dont read it for me i have 2 copies and allready know how to read

[Derekanttil]

Also, good job of referencing and applying individual critical thinking on the subject. I think innovation is vastly necessary. Being an antisocial person for a while, actually improved my awareness of purpose and structure, so I do understand the seperate identities of both principles.

[Derekanttil]

Its amazing how history repeats itself, and how palpable life is in a sort of humanistic cycle. Knowledge is what keeps life challenging. I think you have some valid points, because consciousness is about proaction. But it must be realized first, in earlier stages, where development is encouraged.

[NecrosisOfLight]

On some of your points I would seriously argue come from ignorance of Gatto's entire arguement. His disagreement about placement of children, for instance, comes from his believe we have traded a fake sense of security and order for our freedom, outlined fully in some of his online essasies!

As for bells, again, consider his alternative option about community. In his idealized system, children would spend days learning math, fulling gorging themselves on it.

[Horagalles]

If one looks at your spelling, it becomes obvious that one isn't better of with compulsory schooling then without it.

Most of my knowledge I obtained via my parents and through studying the subject myself. Compulsory schooling is clearly an instrument for indoctrination and social control.

[NecrosisOfLight]

Not to be a mud stick, but thats what I've been contending

[Derekanttil]

Gatto is someone important. He is certainly a great influence on me now.

[tf8252]

You need to read the whole book before you attempt a review. the WHO and thy WHY behind our government school system is what's important.  For example, he explains that American industrialists and utopian socialists took their lead from Prussians like Hegel.

[cropperb]

"American industrialists and utopian socialists took their lead from Prussians like Hegel."

This is not exhaustive reading of the text. Somethings, of course, will not be mentioned. That's why I admonish everyone to read the books I review if they are interested in learning more.

[FatherWarhol]

Funny you should mention Hegel given the Iraq War. Condoleeza Rice said that "America had a long road to Democracy as well". She thinks she is manipulating 'socio-historical forces'. You know, Geist.. Perhaps. I'm not sure if this can be traced back entirely to German philosophy (though many neo-cons are former communists). But could it be possible? That kind of historicist thinking that characterised Bolshevism has led America back to the same place? (Mass delusion and tyranny?)

[FatherWarhol]

George Bush also believes that freedom (to be mandated by the universal state - America - disturbingly enough) is a gift from God by Christ (the universal spirit/Geist of freedom).

Maybe this is why Bush thinks he is all things to all men and expected the Iraqis to greet the Americans with flowers? I certainly think it is.

[NecrosisOfLight]

Yes, but isn't it a fair deal to try to keep an open mind before one finishs listening to another's arguement or opinion? You freely admit during the time of review you had only read half the book. Isn't it disengenious to the work itself, and indeed to your audience, to base your critique on a half-finished reading?

[MrCropper]

"You freely admit during the time of review you had only read half the book. Isn't it disengenious to the work itself, and indeed to your audience, to base your critique on a half-finished reading?"

Is that your only criticism of my analysis? Or perhaps you think that what I say about the first half would be totally invalidated if I read the second half?

[NecrosisOfLight]

No, it is simply the most prominent of them. I can hardly launch into a detailed critique using 500-limit commentboxs so I simply said the part that I disapproved of the most.

His arguement comes from decades of experience, so whatever our opinions are, they should be formed using the breadth of the material he provided. I believe he has earned that much.

[NecrosisOfLight]

Remember, it is a very unsound practice to critique from partial ignorance [I know many creationists who could learn this lesson :)]

[homeschoolmom42]

I own not only Dumbing Us Down, but also A Different Kind of Teacher and The Underground History of American Education. He is a great writer. I love his books. They are awesome.

[SunscreenAndVitamins]

I read the longer version of this book, 'The Underground History of American Education'. Brilliant.

I'd never send my child to public school...

[AlexAnCapAdvocate]

You've often talked about implementing Greek philosphy. Are you still planning on implemening that, or is that unworkable with 6 year olds.

Instead of making it a seperate subject unto itself, would you try to work it into the 4 subjects you mentioned: Math, Science, English, and Literature.

[cropperb]

Math, science, history and literature will ALL begin with a study of the Greek acheivments in those fields. With 6 yo's Greek science, for example, is the perfect place to start because all the questions the Greeks dealt with were on the immidiately perceivable level - throwing rocks and inertia, for example.

[neothomist1275]

Alas, Hellas had no schools.

[cropperb]

No schools?

[FatherWarhol]

Well said sir, reading 'The Trial of Socrates', for instance, was a life changing experience.

[willey1984]

It sounds like Gatto is obviously writting in satire, setting up exactly what he implicitly opposes (why else would he point it out so dramatically?).

[sonata1992]

I do think it's a problem to schedule things in the 'bell' way...

I agree. THe public school system is ridiculous...they have no desire to actually educate anyone... it's about submission