#14.1 School Sucks Project Podcasts 0 thru 20 & Introduction

[9-5-13: links corrected]
Introduction: A Focus On Education

During our sojourn through the Peace Revolution podcasts, we encountered the School Sucks Project podcasts produced by New Hampshire educator, Brett Veinotte, an associate of Richard Grove. While a page does exist on the internet listing all these podcasts, the inclusion of the podcast initiators makes that page virtually impossible for most people's computers to load. That being the case, and a need for a complete list with links being necessary for everyone's continuing education, and while those involved in the project really do need to continue their work unhampered by having to do these kinds of librarian things, it falls to someone who can (me) to make these podcasts easier to access so that more people can easily find and run them on their ordinary computers, without all the extra memory such tremendously long webpages, with all their audiovisual initiators, would require. Was there another list of these podcasts? There was one of all podcasts up to #60 but none of links worked. This page shall encompass the first 60 of these podcasts. Each successive page will be part of the same numbered series, as was the case with the Peace Revolution podcasts. We are featuring these podcast series here because they provide an essential piece of the puzzle of how (an or the) VEN can emerge in quite literally an alternative reality based economic system, rather than a debt based one.

Each episode in this series seems to be much shorter than the Peace Revolution podcasts, and those episodes which have anything directly related to (the or an) VEN, or in such cases as they provide primary information, will be shown in red. However any association with E. C. Riegel's ideas may be, you should notice that each podcast has something that is at least indirectly related to the main subjects of this blog; if one would describe an alternative trading system, one is dealing with all factors in life. As with the Peace Revolution podcasts, this series will be broken into sections concluded with an INTERMISSION and as usual the remarks which accompany this list of podcasts are mine.

David Burton

Points of contact for the origination of this material are:

http://schoolsucks.podomatic.com
(This is the page that will challenge the memory etc. of the average computer; your machine may lock up on you, requiring a restart, etc.)

or

http://edu-lu-tion.com (schoolsucksproject.com)

and

http://www.tragedyandhope.com

2009-8-5: #0 An Introduction to School Sucks Podcast

An introduction to the subject matter. In process, Brett Veinotte explains the origin of the American public education system, a model for many other school systems around the world. He points out exactly what public school “sucks” out of each and every student who experiences it. This series is not about “reforming” or compromising with others involved with or enmeshed in the system. It's about leaving something that sucks, largely by walking out and away from it, and beginning the process to acquire a real education. Veinotte authenticates himself as a one time classroom private school teacher, who claims there's no real differences in terms of oversight and curriculum from a public school. He describes his experience as a conscience driven trajectory away from the system. My guess is that there are presently tens of thousands of dedicated people out there; people just like Brett, who still want to make a contribution to society by teaching students who are really interested in learning.

You'll notice two things that recur from time to time during these podcast episodes; first Brett always calls John Taylor Gatto, Jonathan Taylor Gatto and secondly, he makes many references to Ayn Rand. Probably John Gatto wouldn't mind, but there are many out there who have plenty of what they consider good reasons for sidelining Rand. These considerations may be the topic of another paper on this blog, but what we want to encourage is to learn from everyone, no matter their faults, taking from them what is valuable and discarding the rest. The result will not be blind acceptance of Rand or Objectivism, but the recovery of a rational basis for a personal philosophy, based on the principles of personal liberty.

2009-12-28: #1 The "Business" Plan

Let's get right back to the beginning; the illegitimate use of FORCE in order to compel a forced sale (theft), for “the public good,” etc. I consider the subject matter of this episode basic to understand acceptable business practices under (the or an) VEN.

 

2009-8-17: #2 Pavement on the Road to Hell.

Focus on government intervention. The road to Hell is paved with centralized planning, which never works according to its stated goals but rather has other consequences which may or may not be foreseen as they benefit some at the expense of others. This episode also reiterates the fallacy of idealism, a perennial lesson that far too many people do not understand, as how could they since they are never encouraged to examine them? Idealism to most seems a sentimental thing or a matter of the emotions, but it lies at the core of ideology and divides people into those with the vision and those who oppose it. Under idealism of one kind or another, taught or encouraged in the public schools as ideals of reality, not reality itself, are floated many scams for blind public acceptance. Most people are not even aware of the appeal and affect of idealism, as if they were, they would never fall for these scams. This particular scam, American public education, is revealed in some of its lurid details. Brett's closing contention, easily proved, is that all centralized systems are essentially immoral. This is something that needs to be appreciated in cold hard logical terms rather than something emotional; ethical right and wrong from which much naturally proceeds accordingly.

 

2009-8-24: #3 The Myth of Democracy & The Illusion of Freedom

Subtitled, A Young Person's Guide to the American Political System. This episode sets down some guidelines for the rest of the podcasts, succinctly that this series will never advocate anything having to do with “repairing” the present public education system; using the system to change the system, itself irrational. Rather than cut down an evil tree, these people, those who may honestly believe in compromise, who accomplish nothing, would have us continue to believe that the present evil tree can be saved simply by pruning a few branches, etc. No thanks. We shan't be any takers. We'll continue to observe E. C. Riegel's dictum that political activism of all kinds is worse than useless. It's a waste of time and energy. Veinotte explains the dangers of the voucher system advocated by some. It's time we throw that idea out too. It's nothing but a political solution.

We don't want anything that prevents anyone from taking a truly independent stance from which to evaluate anything and everything and most importantly to arrive at one's own conclusions, especially concerning things such as state power and politics. Truth being truth, when two or more people recognize the same thing as truth and arrive at it through real objective logical processes (those who claim such do not exist are liars), then real solutions to real human problems are possible despite what some uninformed and personally disinterested parties may claim otherwise as justification to FORCE their ideas on others. Brett makes many points concerning government that deserve further elucidation. He indicates that once the evil tree of public education is revealed for what it is, the mainstream media will be next. We say good riddance to both. It would have been one thing to accept continuing something for the sheer joy of doing so, but neither of these social institutions is so deserving. Both “systems” are already showing signs of stress. It's only a matter of time. I predicted now at least 20 years ago that there would tend to be a natural confluence of education, entertainment and computing across the internet. It is the trend.

2009-9-1: #4 Politics is Force

 
In this blog, if you have been following along, you have become aware of the idea that law = FORCE (Bastiat) and now by implication politics = FORCE. This episode subtitled, A Young Person's Guide to the American Political System, Part Two.

Homework:

Wes Bertrand- Complete Liberty Podcasts: http://completeliberty.libsyn.com

War Is Immoral: http://warisimmoral.com

Michael Franzese- I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse

2009-9-6: #5 Authoritarian Absurdities vs. The Philosophy of Liberty

A Young Person's Guide to the American Political System, Part Three. The magic soap metaphor. The philosophy of liberty is based on self-ownership and extends to the ends of your life. The product of your time, energy and talents is your private property. Voluntary exchanges of property for mutual benefit is exactly where we want to go with (the or an) VEN. Violations of life, liberty and property are murder, slavery and theft, no matter who does it; governments are chief practitioners of all three. Since no one has these as rights, giving them over to any third party (government) is invalid and irrational.

2009-9-17: #6 Conformity & Compliance

 
Embedded lessons in public education: reflexive obedience and fixed responses, make children conform into groups, encourage relinquishment of individuality. The society we live in today is the result. The story of civilization is as a repeating looping story. Meanwhile we have a lack of real education. The goal of public education is public management 101; preparation for the social matrix.

 

2009-9-26: #7 (Hidden Lesson One) Obedience is a Virtue?

This is a basic component of the course. It is not about accepting anything contrary to what you already think you believe or understand. But in order to become aware of the full really obvious and rational / logical connections, you may need to play this one more than once.

We have encountered Ayn Rand before this. I want to point out, as all those who have put these courses together have done already, that they regard Rand and her philosophy, Objectivism, as a worthwhile field for selective investigation. Rand's faults and Objectivism's failure as well, are tied up with arguments from authority and a kind of self-imposed obedience to authority, even consisting of one's imagined peers, as strict as any military code. Strip that, plus her casual misanthropy away, and you have a modernized Aristotelian rationality from which to build a solid personal philosophy of liberty.

2009-9-26: #8 Conformity & Compliance vs. Conscience & Consistency

 

Continues directly from the last episode.

2009-10-3: #9 (Supplemental) Brett on Freedomain Radio

 
Brett Veinotte and Stefan Molyneux. Minarchism is mentioned. This is a philosophical approximation of a minimal government Minarchists supposedly argue that the state has no authority to use its monopoly on FORCE to interfere with free transactions between people, and that the state's sole responsibility is ensuring that contracts between private individuals and property are protected through a system of law courts and enforcement. Minarchists generally believe a laissez-faire approach to the economy is most likely to lead to economic prosperity. Even Molyneux would reject this form of government as prone to corruption. They discuss the predations of the minorities who tend to form governments and the reasons they work on controlling the productive majorities. Relativism and ethics are both discussed. Power disparities based on relative ethics is discussed. Ethical relativism favours elitism. They also talk about how people avoid thinking if they can and how people use categories to dismiss difficult ideas. Veinotte describes his escape from Minarchism and his entry into the podcast market in connection with Wes Bertrand. All arguments against the idea that government always operates from FORCE are invalid, sophistic or spurious.

 

Homework:

Wes Bertrand- Complete Liberty, The Demise of the State and The Rise of Voluntary America

2009-10-10: #10 (Hidden Lesson Two) The Silencing of the Self

He calls this episode 8. The question is why uniformity? Conformity built on obedience is considered desirable as a requirement for rulers of all ages who regard people as inherently dangerous to their power. Autocratic sociopaths and court intellectual elitist central planners are linked up as both not wanting to be confronted by non-conformists, therefore mass training in conformity. Complexities aside, the purposes are the same.

Homework:

Murry Rothbard- For A New Liberty

2009-10-18: #11 First Person Plural Pronouns and YOU

He calls this episode 8 part 2 and later says this is the first part of a two part series on this subject; Wes Bertrand and Brett Veinotte discuss Ayn Rand and collectivism. Rationality, morality and justice are sacrificed to conformity to standards, expectations and groups. Psychological payoffs for conforming to would-be authority constitute an inversion regarding learning; one is learning to obey not to learn anything about reality so as to become independent. Collectivism is subjugation to the group therefore conformity is required. Statism is the religion of the age, not to be questioned because it would defy “the common good” which none but the privileged leaders could decide.

Homework:

Ayn Rand- Anthem
Coronet Instructional Films on YouTube (late 1940's - 1950's)

2009-10-22: #12 Why The Future Will Not Be Like 1984

 
After some preliminary remarks, Wes Bertrand and Brett Veinotte continue their discussion. This episode closes with some hopeful remarks from various news sources. And some unmasking of current conditions brought about through collectivism and governments.

Homework:

Ayn Rand and others- Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal
Grace Llewellyn- Teenage Liberation Handbook, How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education

2009-10-15: #13 (Supplemental) Brett Vienotte with Peter McCandless – The Peter Mac Show

2009-10-15: #14 (Supplemental) Expansion & Activation

2009-11-11: #15 (The Third Hidden Lesson) The Installation of Indifference

This train of thought started with obedience, then silencing the self, now installing indifference (apathy), which is a natural outcome from the other two. But apathy is not natural. What happened to why? In another blog post, I made mention of the attack on asking why. The example came from a religious source, but both organized religion and government are definitely opposed to individual people asking why. Brett Veinotte really gets into it in all the lurid details, including what “the system” really thinks of those who don't or wont comply.

Homework:

John Caldwell Holt-

How Children Learn
Learning All the Time

How Children Fail

Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling
Instead of Education: Ways to Help People do Things Better

Never Too Late: My Musical Life Story

What Do I Do Monday?

Freedom and Beyond

Teach Your Own: A Hopeful Path to Education

Escape from Childhood

Instead of Education

The Underachieving School

Silverfire

2009-11-17: #16 Working Against Apathy

Brett Veinotte asks a question, “how good am I at what I do?” leading eventually to “what am I supposed to do?” He discusses imbedding a real education into a regular curriculum, conflict between doing the school thing vs. getting a real education by taking an active part in the process. What is the role of an educator?

2009-11-22: #17 The State's Facade of Honour and Benevolence

Crimes are listed, but they are excused when perpetrated by the state, confirming once again how often most people separate the state from its use of FORCE. This is a key podcast because of the sources it lists (not included here). The focus is on New Hampshire, where Brett lives, and what was going on there at the time. Brett and Kath Hanning? are discussing police harassment of persons associated with the Free State Project. http://freestateproject.org/ The audio could have been better, it's difficult to hear the person Brett is interviewing (you can make the adjustment by using headphones as Brett is on one side and Kath? is on the other). I wish they had been clearer about the various cases they were discussing, but apparently there are many harassment and imprisonment cases involving acts of civil disobedience. None of these stories ever make the news! Why not? It's pretty easy to figure out.

 

2009-12-3: #18 (Supplemental): Caribbean Holiday Spectacular!

2009-12-3: #19 (Supplemental) The Civil Disobedience Onion (Peeling Layer One)

This discussion is if anything more important than the previous episode.

2009-12-18: #20 The Hidden Lesson of School (Conclusion)

Yes, you heard right, Brett calls this episode 10 though it's listed as #20. Brett visits a few public schools, his reviews, how the teaching job drains energy out of its practitioners.

INTERMISSION