Comments on: Evading Responsibility by Making Science the Solution

By: Bob Rottenberg

Bob Rottenberg — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 03:15:26 +0000

…and just when you thought it might be safe to write a blog post like this, along comes the Texas GOP, proudly and publicly proclaiming, in their party platform, their opposition to the teaching of “critical thinking” in all Texas public schools. It says, in part:
“We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.” (page 20, Republican Party of Texas, 2012).” Got that? Don’t challenge authority. Sad to say, this is not a joke — it’s a real document issued by a real political party in the largest state in the US (oh — sorry Sarah…) See the July 7 piece by Danny Weil in Truthout.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:34:48 +0000

Thank you for reminding me of the richness of Susan Wendell’s book. I was looking at a different section of it last night but your point (and her’s) about our society’s strong desire for control is very interesting. I have been despairing a little lately because I see a lot of the world’s problem with disability being related to capitalism and I feel quite powerless to change that. I am probably just as powerless to change the minority world’s focus on science and the “cure” for everything. But I some how feel empowered to sometimes question “the given” that looking for a cure is a good idea. Thanks again. I love reading your thoughtful posts.

By: chavisory

chavisory — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:28:47 +0000

Rachel, my amazement never ceases at your ability to completely, devastatingly, take apart cultural myths and assumptions like this that most people never get around to even noticing, let alone questioning.