This week, I continued to read Seth Godin’s book Stop Stealing Dreams: What is School for? for my Learning and Technology Class. This week’s reflection is about sections 24 through 45. Similar to last week’s reflection, while I am still enjoying the thought provoking ideas and opinions, I am finding myself agreeing less and questioning more.
Overall, I feel like Godin is reaching for a school system that educates CEOs, business owners and independent contractors. This could once again be my corporate background influencing my opinions, but I am starting to feel that he wants every student to grow up capable of being one of those things, and negating the importance of a mid level worker (every one know an Administrative Assistant has one of the most important jobs in a company). What I am having a hard time understanding, is why he thinks it is not acceptable for students to have middle class working jobs, such as factory worker, janitor or McDonalds fry cook.
I am definitely taking his opinions to an extreme, and admire and agree that every student should feel capable of making all of their dreams come true, but if we have 30 high school seniors graduating with the dream of becoming a superstar, and zero thinking it is ok to be the agent, stage production cast or band member, then we have a whole additional problem which is now mixed with crushed dreams and hurt pride.
While the book still brings up great ideas and thoughts, I am having a harder time reading it without cringing and questioning, which means Godin probably did a good job writing it. I still like the idea of quick sections and short, separated ideas, because I can pick it up at any time and read.