Brava, Angela….I completely agree with you. It always makes me laugh when I hear high schools and colleges talk about developing “critical thinking” in their students. Sadly, the evidence is rarely there to back that up. Maybe we need educationalists to accept the same lesson that I wish politicians/government would: that their purpose should be “to facilitate the growth of talent, and protect everybody’s freedom to participate and venture” in the learning process rather than treat students like empty vessels into which one (somehow, miraculously!) pours knowledge.

I was speaking with Joel Barker (the “father” of paradigm thinking) just yesterday and hearing him describe the wonderful achievements brought about by the EFG curriculum in places like Chattanooga decades ago. The results were remarkable, among the kind of students for which few expect anything much at all. Yet Joel remarked that the curriculum was “killed.” I couldn’t believe it. By what or whom? His response: By the No Child Left Behind Act. Brilliant! Let’s give up developing systems thinkers for yet more human robots. But then, you nailed why the powers-that-be would not want more superior thinkers in the population:

• We would not put up anymore with the lack of intelligence that permeates the way politics and businesses are run today;

Truly, the sooner the “experts” get out of the way and let us all develop small successes that, added together, result in large wins, the better for the individuals concerned, the country, and the world!

I look forward to learning more about your work.