6. We written and a lot of it has come to be.
Let’s write and create societies for good.
1/intro
7. 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, noted at
the 2013 Skoll World Summit that much of science fiction
has now become reality.
He then suggested that if we start writing social fiction,
the society we crave/imagine/dream of,
might also become reality.
We have been experimenting with and dreaming of,
a vision for 100% of humanity.
We’re penning/sharing/modeling it.
for you.
for us.
here.
now.
17. I don’t feel resentment over the
years I was on speed because I know
I’m in good company.
I’m a statistic in America’s drug problem.
1 in 5 high school boys are diagnosed with ADHD
57 million anti-psychotic prescriptions filled (2011)
400 percent spike in antidepressant use (1990-now)
1 in 5 American women currently on an antidepressant
Peter Moskowitz
20. We live in a world that ends most sentences with..
and they did/didn’t do well on the test.
Because the (assumed) belief is that some common/basic knowledge/skills will bridge some
(given) achievement gap, in order to gain an (apparently) accepted definition of success -
economic growth - health.
15/ch1
21. Everyone appears happy. They must think this is ok.
I must be the
only one not
comfortable
with this.
22. I must be the
only one not
comfortable
with this.
I must be the
only one not
comfortable
with this.
I must be
the only
one not
comfortabl
e with this.
I must be the
only one not
comfortable
with this.
I must be
the only
one not
comfortabl
e with this.
I must be
the only
one not
comfortabl
e with this.
I must be
the only
one not
comfortabl
e with this.
17/ch1
23.
24. contents
1 a problem (sinkhole)
2 a solution (loophole)
3 a framework (syncwhole)
4 a people (thumbhole)
5 a public (holistic)
25. 2 a solution (loophole)
Perhaps public education as a vehicle
to social change.
Redefine success/profit/proof/health.
Restore authenticity & attachment
via trust.
28. If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there
to hear it, does it make a sound?
If there is no fixed standard of educational success…
23/ch2
32. Imagine…in the life of a day.. you would
meet up for one hour (or 30 min – whatever
people decide) with a group of maybe 8
people. Five days a week. You could have a
set place [in redesigned school buildings,
public libraries, coffee houses, parks ...] or
change it up each time, up to you. You just
would need to come together. No agenda
for the time spent, just sharing space, with a
goal of eventually getting to know each
other.
Imagine everyone –
being known by
someone.
27/ch2 [1 of 2 – redefinition of public education]
Imagine …we believed it was legal to talk
to ourselves.
Perhaps ... we awaken indispensable
people, change the world for good, with
the simple act of 7 billion people talking to
themselves everyday.
is as
So imagine, everyone talking themselves
everyday as a playing out of
#2 in the
redefinition
of public ed.
Imagine everyone –
being themselves.
33. Currently, public education is defined/financed/played-out/victimized via 500+ policies per district.
If all i’s are dotted and all t’s crossed, according to those policies, the government/powers that be
– grant you funding. (That comes from public taxes.)
34. If all i’s are not dotted and all t’s are not crossed, (a ginormous) part of potential funding/resources
are spent on investigation of unmet policies.
So we have inspectors of inspectors and people making instruments for inspectors to
inspect inspectors. - Buckminster Fuller
29/ch2
35. Perhaps, we are focusing too much time/energy/people/resources on these policies/inspectors and
the breaking/surveilling/maintaining of these policies.
36. Two policies in particular, feed into most other policies, because they
initiate/perpetuate the system’s foundational idea/concept/policy of
control.
Perhaps, in order to simplify the redefinition, we focus on just these two
ideas (policies if you must).
[Rather than the current mode of redefinition/reform/re-whatever, as
seen when ie: a charter school seeks to break away from the 500+
policies. They are told/believed/forced to replace any policy they don't
want to abide by. Cementing the ridiculous number of policies. Which,
perhaps, is the thing that keeps getting in the way, the mounds of policy
itself.]
31/ch2
37. We propose, rather than drowning in the (often in-humane) data of
seat time, and in the (often non-legit) data of test scores, we focus
on two simple things that could turn our world upside down:
1. attachment – everyone is
meeting with a small group – everyday for 30-60 min
2. authenticity – everyone is talking
to themselves – everyday
Now/then, public education would/will be defined/financed/played out
via 2 policies per district.
42. contents
1 a problem (sinkhole)
2 a solution (loophole)
3 a framework (syncwhole)
4 a people (thumbhole)
5 a public (holistic)
43. 3 a framework (syncwhole)
Imagine a framework that relies/feeds
on the synchronicity of enough -
people,
resources/spaces, and
technology,
in the city (optimal ecosystem),
as the day (optimal 24/7).
52. people. face to face. eye to eye. heart to heart. love.
47/ch3
53. 700 million
one
How are the people around you doing?
..doing/being the thing they can’t not do/be.
remarkable
tech connects
everyday
54. How to facilitate/crowdsource curiosities?
Perhaps by hastening the time between
finding what matters to you & finding your people.
closest to now possible
how to shrink/hasten/accelerate this time period. everyday.
49/ch3
55. Rather than thinking that our measuring/managing/competing is proof of success,
what if we question why we feel the need to
measure/manage/compete. [imagine what we could do with all the energy we spend
on defense;]
What if the fact that we feel the need to prove/manage/measure/compete is more
an evidence of distress than success.
56. What if we let tech help us get back to us…
51/ch3
58. An app that would encourage/create/support:
1. People talking to themselves
daily, asking themselves if they
are doing what matters.
1. People connecting to people in
their city/community, a strategic
serendipity.
1. People’s mesh network, their
footprint or trail.
Imagine google glass/siri/everest, et al, via a necklace (or wherever/however you want to
wear it) as accessible to everyone, under the guise/default/commons of public education.53/ch3
62. Whoa.
That’s how
it works?
Could you
have your
band test it
out?
Cool jets. A connection is made in real life. App records it as a trail/node.
57/ch3
63.
64. It is a fact today that 1 in 10,000 of us can make a
technological breakthrough capable of supporting
all the rest. The youth of today are absolutely right
in recognizing this nonsense of earning a living.
We keep inventing jobs because of this false idea
that everybody has to be employed at some kind
of drudgery because, according to Malthusian-
Darwinian theory, he must justify his right to
exist.
– Bucky Fuller
59/ch3
65. So we have inspectors of inspectors and
people making instruments for inspectors to
inspect inspectors.
The true business of people should be to go
back to school and think about whatever it
was they were thinking about before
somebody came along and told them they
had to earn a living.
– Bucky Fuller
66. We’d like to prototype this social fiction into reality in a more timely manner. We believe if people could see it
happening, they’d go, we like that, we can do that. We’re seeking 20 million no-strings-attached in order to model a
synchronicity that matters. [For more of how we see this self-sustaining anywhere, via true grit, and the trillions we
already spend on school, testing, health, et al, perhaps start here: redefineschool.com/about/business-plan/ or click
graphic below ]
8 mill – ish: for places and resources,
buying and/or renting spaces (ie: community-owned spaces) for the crowdsourced gatherings
that matter, also equipment/resources needed in those spaces, & for traveling to and from
those spaces
61/ch3
67. 5 mill – ish: for tech,
while none of the ideas are new, combining them might be, being able to pay experts [to write
code, for an app to hasten the time between finding what matters & finding your
people…] and purchase resources [wifi, devices,..] will
accelerate the ability to make this equitable on a global scale.
68. 7 mill – ish: for people,
people that need income can be supported to play with us, especially tapping into sabbaticals for
teachers in the district, and waivers/scholarships into unis/business for students – so they won’t
worry about the potential of being punished later for playing, or for taking a year (on) off – to
come back & play our/their dream/vision, also parents/community members, wanting to play
63/ch3
69.
70. contents
1 a problem (sinkhole)
2 a solution (loophole)
3 a framework (syncwhole)
4 a people (thumbhole)
5 a public (holistic)
71. 4 a people (thumbhole)
The stories of social fiction….
to a *t
*thumprint
76. what’s your social fiction?
assuming complete freedom
AND
assuming complete accessibility to people and resources you might choose to do/be things with
AND
assuming a timely means to help you connect/find your people on a daily basis.
80. Julia, age 12, uses a donated/recycled laptop and the donated wifi from the wifi bank, to voice record
the following before she goes to bed:
I noticed a lot of my friends’ parents have cancer. They keep talking about early detection. I asked
my mom and she said if you find out early on, the cancer can usually be cured, but that not
enough people find out early. I also watched a video of a 17-year-old that wrote a recipe to cure
cancer and is now working at Stanford. I’m dreaming about finding ways to improve early
detection. I want to connect to people who are experts at this and see what I can learn from
them.
75/ch4
81. Vicki, age 25, uses her iphone and texts while waiting at the doctor’s office:
I just found out my mom has cancer. They told her they didn’t find it soon enough and that it’s
spreading too fast. I’ve got to research myself, find out some other answers for her.
82. Tom, age 7, uses his mom’s ipad and his family’s wifi access, to record the following:
My mom has been doing this healing stuff my whole life. I’ve never believed in it before. But
she started doing it with me, because I have/had asthma, and now I don’t have it anymore. I’m
really interested in seeing if it can help people with cancer.
77/ch4
83. The app connects them.
A mesh network created for each of these could have one small node representing their intense curiosity
and that’s it. Or, it could be the start of an offshoot node, as they advance into the study of health and
medicine. Either way, this cancer node could be detected by the app in a couple weeks by someone else
talking to themselves about the same things and then they all receive notification of another potential
connection.
85. A space where there are many people
doing things they love to do
painting, reading, tinkering with Chemistry, building electrical circuits, cooking,
gardening etc.
Others are encouraged to come along side them and learn from them or work on
their own projects and be able to ask questions of someone who knows.
If a young person arrives who wants to understand math so he can get into a certain
college course, someone is available to help – and perhaps there are 6 other young
people who want to join them.
87. The benefits of this model include engaged students
who are learning when they are the very most
motivated to learn.
just-in-time learning
Teachers who get to teach without the stress of classroom management and
forcing a curriculum that doesn’t resonate with his students.
It would provide a positive alternative to those who are disenfranchised with
the current system – they will continue to learn and teach – their talents won’t
be wasted or lost – they won’t turn to destructive behaviors because they will
have a voice and a real opportunity to be productive and do something that
matters.
89. They won’t get ulcers, become depressed, or hurt themselves or others
because they are so stressed from being force through a system that
doesn’t meet their needs.
Other benefits –
building of relationships,
the ability for young people to see many different pursuits and have
the ability to try out many different things which would improve their
chances of finding their talents earlier –
The more people in our communities doing what they are really good
at will make our communities happier, healthier and absolutely
outstanding.
90. visions of such spaces:
• free access to spaces:
maker/hacker; recording studios; dance studios; art studios; garden
spaces; animals and animal spaces; research labs; robotics space;...
• free access to people:
mentors/players - all ages; district teachers; community members;
business people; university students/professors; anyone you want to
learn from or work/be with;...
• free access to resources:
wifi; devices; travel; stuff to make stuff with; ….
91. Certified teachers in the district (supported by sabbatical status in
experimental phase) gather daily in different hubs around the city.
This group frequents the coffee/book store. Working with their
people on their passion/art. One is working on her masters. One is
designing a city dark room. One is writing a novel.
Youth access them here if they like, but also are connected via cell/fb.
[Parents and community members are freed up in same way.]
Youth working on a
city art project stop by
to get some resources
and information they
are seeking.
In experimental phase: every (k-12 person) in the city has been placed in
or chosen a group of 7-10 people. This small group meets daily for 30
min to an hour – with no specific agenda.
This is to satisfice #1 of redefinition of public ed – everyone is known by
someone.
To satisfy #2 – everyone has access to a
device and wifi – in order to talk to
themselves everyday – via the curiosity app.
The app suggests a local connection daily and
creates an ongoing mind map of
curiosities/findings/connections.
Perhaps..
93. Potential benefits for city/district people:
Having such spaces in the city – the ability to go there – as a leaving to learn – to
whatever degree desired. These spaces are now packed full of what we are missing
most – people. free people.
It’s like we are hiring self-directed learners to hang out in these spaces, so that when
we want to and/or can go to these spaces ourselves, it is already an alive place.. That
models/breathes informal, self-directed learning. [gardens, streets, walls - art]
It’s like we are creating organic safe havens in the city.. if we can bring more
homeschooler/unschoolers/drop out/ins back into the open, into the city, to play, we
have a safer/happier/healthier community. Perhaps the more people we have – in the
city, interacting, looking each other in the eye, the less we need false securities/fixes.
94. the money we’d save:
via a global/nationwide social bill we keep supporting (health, et al,
would be in the trillions):
I want you to consider the frightening possibility that we are
spending far too much money on schooling, not too little. I
want you to consider that we have too many people employed
in interfering with the way children grow up – and that all this
money and all these people, all the time we take out of
children’s lives and away from their homes and families and
neighborhoods and private explorations gets in the way of
education. - John Taylor Gatto
89/ch4
95. The reason Swedes have wiped out what would be 1st and 2nd
grades, is that they don’t want to pay the large social bill that
quickly comes due when boys and girls are ripped away from their
best teachers at home too early.
It isn’t worth the price, say the Swedes, to provide jobs for teachers
and therapists if the result is sick, incomplete kids who can’t be put
back together again very easily. The entire Swedish school
sequence isn’t 12 years, it’s 9.
The direct savings of such a step in the U.S. would be $75-100
billion.
$75-100 billion.
_____________
97. Today, people are learning online, on boats, in buses, in classrooms, in schools of all
sorts, in other countries, at home, in the city, … this is great. What we are suggesting
is that we no longer pigeon-hole learners to any of these spaces. You want to learn
on a boat. Great. But let’s not say now, that you are a boat learner only. Maybe
tomorrow another space will behoove you. Change is good. .
Once we understand that learning can and should occur outside the classroom, it will become
commonplace to see students engaged in learning activities throughout the community.
98. Perhaps we recapture play
of a child,
in the city,
in the country,
in the wild.
Perhaps we invite wilderness
back into
our spaces, our people.
Perhaps we create
spaces of permission,
where people have
nothing to prove.
Spaces where we have
no raised eyebrows,
because we believe/realize,
there is never
nothing going on.
93/ch 4 http://redefineschool.com/632/neocortex-not-threatened/
101. If youare so inclined, share/read/create/do/be/believe in more here:
http://redefineschool.com/632/social-non-fiction/
as seen in the link above – the stories/dreams are happening, all over. no way to record them all.
and yet.
the huge desire we have is …to hasten the day that everyone gets to play at this.
… to hasten equity - everyone getting a go - today.
102. contents
1 a problem (sinkhole)
2 a solution (loophole)
3 a framework (syncwhole)
4 a people (thumbhole)
5 a public (holistic)
103. 5 a public (holistic)
What if the secret to sustainability,
is true grit.
105. Perhaps redefining school in this manner could be the root of all problems/solutions/life.
Perhaps if people can see it played out, they will believe enough, to take charge of the day, as the day,
in their own cities.
106. Perhaps we start credentialing per our community. How are the people around us doing?
Ie:
imagine you come to me a year from now.
Loveland no longer has 400+ charitable organizations, but rather, one kitchen table. They have
connected. They engage in ongoing conversations, conversations that matter. They’ve freed people
who were homeless up to take care of their own situation. Because they question how we spend our
days, health has improved, people start to believe they matter, the suicide rate has gone down….
And now, now I say to you, … yes, Peter. Peter is perfect. Whether or not he helped to change our
community for good, he has been living in it. He’s associated and with people that are free and are
practicing their art. Peter is gold. Peter is indispensable.
imagine a community such as mine, Loveland, CO.
You, a university, or a CEO of a company, come to
me today, asking if Peter is a good fit, if he’s worth
consideration at your establishment.
I say, most likely not. I explain to you, that currently, Loveland has 400+ charitable organizations, so one
would think we wouldn’t be dealing with homelessness, our county wouldn’t be 6th in the nation in
suicide rate, etc.
I say, I wonder what the heck has Peter been doing, letting that happen in his community
107. Perhaps we’ll start to realize, genius isn’t (doesn’t need to be ) rare.
Perhaps when we facilitate authenticity…
finding all the geniuses inside.. waiting to be seen/heard/loved.
Perhaps we call facilitating curiosity/authenticity – school.
Perhaps we carry that out - in the city – as the day.
Imagine 7 billion such researchers/entrepreneurs/happy people.. no?
101/ch5
ie: Angela, Jack, Brittany, Ruchi, Jacob, Eesha,
Boyan, Adora, Ash, Nikhil, (Socrates at 9), Caine M,
Logan, Birke, Oscar, Piper, Xiuhtezcatl, Caine S,
Sylvia, Lucas, Albert (et al), 4 yr old pianist, Chase,
Satori, Everett, …. you..
109. What we have… What we need…
1. people who
want their days to
1. people (perhaps you) who believe they own the mattering of
their days [most don’t believe it’s legal/possible to think for
themselves]
2. tech that can
aggregate/organiz
e large amounts of
data, et al
2. a means (perhaps tech) to connect people in a more
timely/serendipitous manner [ie: to ground chaos & hasten
connections if everyone is thinking for themselves]
3. space - where
we are now
3. an ecosystem (perhaps a city) full of eclectic spaces/people/
resources [and very few rules - a huge sandbox]
4. time – now 4. time (perhaps the day), not tacked on to the already busy day,
this can’t be after hours [well it can, but not if we’re seeking #1]
111. • how to ensure the focus doesn't go toward the sync, and like agriculture, we lose site of the why,
and focus only on some pre-determined efficiency. perhaps we keep the focus on curiosity - the
natural whimsy of a person. becoming more and more natural, the more free the person truly feels.
ie: the more they feel they have nothing to prove.
• how to create a device (some small chip you can add to your necklace, bracelet, bobby pin, glasses,
headband, shoe, cell phone, laptop, earring, ..?) that you determine when to take it off, put it on.
• how to be the least intrusive to people - worldwide - who are doing/being - wearable?
• how to create/sustain an accessible/abundant data base - via redefinition of public ed - the only ask
is that you put it on for minimum of 10 seconds a day... to talk to yourself. so then we have a
ginormous data base.. from every person, for at least 10 seconds a day, to draw on.. to see what we
have been missing in regard to the interconnectedness in our own city.
119. ok. so perhaps a crazy book title…
say it fast enough.. you hear – bs.
but perhaps not so crazy…
if it reminds us, that without you (u), this is bs.
more on needing you… to be you.
a be you book.
http://redefineschool.com/about/story/a-be-you-book/
