Rhetoric: Harmful or Helpful

The "Art" of reading and writing persuasively is called rhetoric. It may seem a bit odd that fiery rhetoric, we often hear in political debates or on the daily news shows, is very similar to the Greeks and their goal of persuasion. However just because it's old doesn't mean it's good, you may note the major failure in the Greek world ( think Alexander the Great).

Rhetoric hopes to fashion an argument that is persuasive, not always honest. If we tell a story and cover a single perspective, we get a flat image that lacks depth. It is very difficult to make worthy decisions based on this type of information. More over, rhetorical discussions often ignore scientific evidence and speak more deeply to the soul of man. These are discussions of passion.

One may ask if rhetorical arguments are even worth while these days. The answer would be a resounding yes! Just remember to listen to more than one side of an argument. This will add the depth that a single view blurs. Check out Cicero and The Murder Trials. Great examples of a superior orator and rhetorician.

Education and the Company Store

Here's the thing.  Many educators are just too caught up in regurgitating subject matter as it was regurgitated to them.  This continues a long line of regurgitation which, by now, you probably have realized is as unattractive in words as it is in practice.   How many thing in today's society begin this way?  I mean, we as a culture have to learn by those who come before us... you know the "Standing on the shoulders of giants"  sort of thing.  But hold the phone.  What if those who came before us  weren't as "Giant" as we thought?

What I mean to say is perhaps they were on the cutting edge of their day but...well they couldn't see far enough into the future to recognize the affect technology would have on learning, teaching and subjective knowledge.  Forget the possibility that they would predict the speed of change in the digital age.

In a relatively short period we have split the atom, discovered the genome and created a wireless highway of information.  So what does this have to do with the "Company Store?"  Well let me share.  The "company store" made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford, explained the struggles of the American coal miner who couldn't leave the company because he could never get out of debt to the company.  Well, that's where we are if we fail to discover the new trends in education.  It is particularly troubling to see the adherence to age old ideas that worked with less tech savvy children.  If we feel we are indebted to those who taught us and for that reason we cling to their techniques, methods and curriculum we are preparing children for failure.

There is nothing wrong with content in many cases, but it must be presented with greater vigor and excitement.

I hope I have made the connection here.  The bottom line is originality and excitement must be infused into the teaching environment.  This is the Youtube, MTV, X-Box generation.  They are highly entertained...so why not step up the teaching methods?