I agree with the reviewer who said that while this book is short, it is not to be read in one sitting. It will make you stop and think.
What's the Big Idea? Reinventions for a Better America is a thought-provoking and timely book. Creative solutions are packed into this small volume. Readers will surely agree, disagree and be amazed at the outside-of-the-box thinking that went into it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
On education, I certainly agree that the most important function of an education is to learn to think critically. There are many great education innovations listed. One criticism: the author gives examples of esoteric content that gets in the way of the mission as follows: "But we're too busy teaching the periodic table of elements, the causes of the War of 1812, the intricacies of Shakespeare, and how to solve quadratic equations." I believe that these subjects can be perfectly good ways to apply critical thinking. In learning about Shakespeare, I began to see his work as a way to learn from the mistakes of the past so as not to repeat them. He is certainly correct that we should not teach less important content without first covering the essentials.
The author notes the idiocy of airport screening practices. On a trip home from New Orleans, my husband almost had to leave behind a bottle of barbeque sauce. Barbeque sauce. Unopened. How does this make us safer?
Much more importantly, we are asked to consider carefully about how we select our leaders. This reminds me of a recent quote from Nassim Taleb: "It's the first time in history in which the people on top have power without courage. First time. You cannot find that in any society." "And of course the President of the United States was supposed to be first in battle. Not someone pushing a button. " Exactly right.
Suggestions in this book vary from the clearly practical to the very radical. Medical system reform is sorely needed. This seems to be widely agreed upon. In more of a departure from the expected, the author suggests dorm-style living welfare recipients. Since welfare recipients are parents, I can only imagine the challenge of living 24/7with other peoples' children. While dorms may be fine for college students, they are not what I think of as kid-friendly.
Readers are encouraged to replace buying "stuff" with buying of services that hold greater promise of improving their quality of life. I absolutely agree. People can use their free time to take dance classes, improvisation and theater classes, get massages, play basketball, volunteer, refurbish cars or any number of other life-enhancing activities.
I found the author's definition of happiness to be narrow. It is proposed that the pursuit of happiness "trivializes life's meaning." The author seems to be referring to pleasurable activities. The current research on happiness shows that it is in using one's strengths in engaging work that serves a purpose larger than oneself that we find true happiness (Martin Seligman.)
I enthusiastically recommend this book. You may find yourself nodding in agreement or asking what?! I can at least guarantee that this book will stimulate your own critical thinking.
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