apcampbell

In his 1968 book Education and Ecstasy, George Leonard argues that those who carry the true torch of learning operate outside of the strictures of Civilization:

These people are varied. They are the rogue. The common criminal is not among them. Most criminals, after their initial break with the pattern, fall into repetitive, stereotyped behavior that apes society itself. Criminologists look for the “MO” (modus operandi) by which the criminal gives himself away. The true rogue has no obvious MO. Whether fictional or historical, he is the man of many devices, constantly exploring, probing the environment - learning. (p90)

If the rogue is none other than a lifelong learner, then it is the traditional educational institution which squashed such ‘errant behavior’ in its task of shaping youth for the social machine, one of mass consumption, competition, and aggression. If the joyful pursuit of learning is what drives the rogue, then Leonard urges us to celebrate the rogue and work to overthrow the social system which deprives us of our birthright: joy. It is necessary, however, not to directly attack existing educational environments, but rather build new ones. Otherwise, just as in any bloody revolution, we just replace one form of aggression and power with another.

I’m not the run of the mill, ‘cuz for the mill I don’t run. KRS-One

It is bloggers who are now taking advantage of the growing pool of human resources and knowledge artifacts made available on the internet. They are building their own social networks and learning communities and using technology to track and archive the resulting conversations, ideas, and insights. They are able to organize relevant knowledge with growing ease and are able develop apprentice-master relationships with one antother. These bloggers are rogues.

Can’t we introduce these tools to the young minds of our educational system, show them what is possible, and then give them the freedom to use it as they wish?