Planet Be

I saw an Anthony Bourdain episode in Colombia that (to the best of my memory) linked improvement in Medellin to increased education, and further said that the youth now turn to art and music instead of joining gangs. At some point it occurred to me to transform schooling into a lifelong endeavor. There's a stark disconnect currently between childhood and adulthood, more than needs to be or is healthy. In my own case as example all support structures ceased upon entering adulthood, including health care, social organization, instruction, easy access to athletics and leisure activities, discussion of the betterment of society, and more. There is never an age at which such resources cease to be a benefit. This moment in a new idea is when someone counters with examples of community colleges, gyms, fellowship groups, clubs, churches, libraries, and the like. None of those currently existing structures seamlessly progress from childhood; and there are financial barriers as well. What I envision is a transformation of the learning model entirely. The concept of school as something that children are forced to attend up to a certain age to absorb basic minimum information and prove it by passing tests would cease to exist. These are the types of large scale cultural changes that I wish to explore in Planet Be.

On Planet Be there would be a division between pre-school and school [1] that would demarcate a progression from a time of pure play & baby-sitting to self-directed learning. Yes self-directed. A portion of learning at every age is to be self-directed. Pre-school would be close to home, walking distance, as shared pantries, repair centers, and libraries of things are. There would be frequent interaction between and among these home centers and surrounding learning centers. Pre-school aged children will accompany a parent, sibling, or community member to schools as introduction. Until they are ready to learn they will return to pre-school. [2] In schools there would always be physical activities and games going on, as well as independent reading — and yes computers and videos — as alternatives to / in addition to structured classes. The logistical structures and extent of school staff are to be considered. By having schools be community centers open to all ages there is a blending of staff and other adults. [3] I don't even know how much I want to go into schooling! or children! The purpose for bringing this subject up was to discuss the learning resources available to adults. As often happens while writing I got off track!

I may try to sleep so quick bits: benefits to adults of lifelong learning centers are obvious. there is never a time when one isn't intersted in learning something. our system creates a dislike of shcool and learning. but like we are all always learning. sports stats is learning. how to build and repair is learning. film appreciation is learning. (music, entertainment, art). on planet be learning would dovetail with trades [1b]. life on Be isn't work focused on making money; it's life focused. changing trades is natural. things get done because ppl want to do them and need to do them. like, on Earth practical financial planning could be a popular adult course. but by the time Be enacts all their good changes I don't know if the topic will be relevant. Resource management will be. Self improvement, literacy, psychology, faith, community, healthy lifestyle activities, family dynamics are ALL behaviors appropriate for school.

more later

oh dang! i got so into the school thing I forgot to embed the video on Camus' The Rebel. It's important. I'll do it soon. it's here: https://youtu.be/giVO7wKlMcw

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[1] [a] Retain the name school? It has nice bones, particularly in bold:

From Middle English scole, from Old English scōl (“place of education”), from Late Latin schola, scola (“learned discussion or dissertation, lecture, school”), from Ancient Greek σχολή (skholḗ, “spare time, leisure”), from Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ- (“to hold, have, possess”). [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/school]

[b] Also see trade:

From Middle English trade (“path, course of conduct”), introduced into English by Hanseatic merchants, from Middle Low German trade (“track, course”), from Old Saxon trada (“spoor, track”), from Proto-Germanic *tradō (“track, way”), and cognate with Old English tredan (“to tread”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dreh₂- (“to tread, walk, step, run”). [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/trade]

[2] Introducing pre-school aged children to school could be loose, or formal, say every Monday morning. It could be part of a morning walk to a learning facility up until the child's choosing to stay and take part. I really do not have to figure *all this out, but I could construct scenes involving a young child choosing to learn; and I am interested in the back-and-forth between learning & home centers. (I realize a term like home center may sound dystopian! I'm at the early stages of world building. For now I'll simply add that within walking distance of nearly every dwelling will be child-care; basic health clinics; recycling, repair, and waste collection; shared food stores; and libraries of things like tools and recreational equipment.) While I do intend to emphasize autonomy and consent in all things there may be a cultural norm or expectation for children to begin structured learning by a certain age. If I choose I may research self-directed educational theories. Behavior and attention are key factors to consider in differentiating between those suitable for school and pre-school. Yet even as I typed that it didn't feel right. I am not imagining a “perfect” society but I want to create the best one that I can. Better learning will accommodate wandering attention and play. As I say I could do research. I could have a young character wander before committing to learning, perhaps because zir friends are learning.

[3] As a member of a sick society my alarm bells naturally go off at the thought of children with “random” adults. A factor in the health of Planet Be is that everything is in the open. There is safety in numbers and there should be nearly zero moments when a child is alone with an unknown adult. Of course we know that most abuse is committed by a person who is known. These are not topics that I am eager to cover in my stories except insofar as I do want to contrast our sick society with what a better one might be. I think that we make sex and the human body into something that is secret, shameful, and dirty; and in so doing we as society are largely to blame for creating the problems of abuse. I cannot know what rates of various problems my invented society will suffer but I have to imagine that enlightened, open, honest attitudes without shame will produce much better results than we see here on Earth. This is a tricky subject and if I can avoid it it's probably best. If I can find a clear explanation for child safety I will include it. I don't even know how much I want to go into schooling! or children!