Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

How much schooling is because some politician or philanthropist thought it was essential that everyone get the same education they did 40 years ago.

I’ve been at a community college for 4+ years after 32 years in schools (lots of them in various roles). No school really cared about me as a professional. They hired a critical and creative educator, but that’s not what they wanted.

We have had a cool start to August where I live. The “if there is global warming, how do you explain this?” folks are back out.

“Everyone knows that…” always ends with quackery.

“Hallucinations” as the term we apply to information AI creates. OK… can we apply it to ideas like “learning styles” and the other stuff made up be educational consultants?

“Focusing on the basics,” ostensibly a non-politician stance towards curriculum, is probably the *most* politically motivated and indoctrinating of the options.

“We are starting a conversation” is leader speak for “I’m going to make a terrible decision in 6 months and claim everyone had input.”

One thing I learned during 30+ years in the classroom: students appreciate conversation and natural dialogue more than polished presentation.

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool. - Richard Feynman

How an intelligent man can subscribe to a party I find a complete mystery. -Albert Einstein

Finding a reference to support a poorly cited paper written by AI seems a whole lot less fun (and more time consuming) that writing the paper myself.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein

I was asked to interview for a job in a school district recently. The superintendent was audibly reacting to messages on her phone and responding during the interview. At the end of the interview, I caught her eye and said, "My phone has been blowing up in my pocket for the last hour, I wonder what needs my attention next."

The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question. - Stephen Jay Gould

I had a conversation with some folks about returning to k-12 education. Sorry, but I just can’t see it ever happening.

On Student Autonomy – https://hackscience.education/ https://hackscience.net/2023/07/31/on-student-autonomy/

Those leaders who fear free and critical thought among the masses are to be feared… well not so much feared as removed… no on third thought… don’t let them be leaders in the first place.

“Better” is a meaningless word unless you include for whom, for what, when, in what circumstances?

Keep paying attention when a “ground breaking” discovery is made. The findings are usually not replicated. That’s just how science (and media) works.

“Natural selection favors AI over humans.” Can we stop with this silly take? Seriously stop. In a time when science is so misunderstood, such statements make it worse.