First, I’d like to correct a misimpression you may have inadvertently fostered in describing me as wanting “a return to basics and traditional teaching methods”. I don’t recommend “traditional” methods out of respect for tradition per se. I would be happy to support the kind of sleeping-with-a-book-under-the-pillow techniques that your readership favors were there significant evidence that they work. Sadly, such evidence has not been forthcoming.
I read a few chapters of Seth Godin’s manifesto. I’d never heard of the guy, but Yitzchak Jacobs’ naming him a “pop-culture guru” seems to fit. It was like a cholent of EST literature and Marxism with a dash of Tom Robbins thrown in. It’s not worth pointing out all the missing links in his chains of reasoning, but Heaven help him if he gets his wish and we start turning out critical thinkers.
To be fair, he said one passably true thing, that even kids who learn to love making music “trudge” through years of work before the magical moment hits. Of course he then goes on as if one can produce the magic without the trudging, but that’s to be expected.
Michael
