It's spot on, by my reckoning.
Here's a sample:
"Nothing epitomises the Tory mind-set more completely than its attitude to learning. The essence of conservatism is its love of boundaries. People are supposed to stay where they are put: the rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate. Workers, Maori, women, children: each must remain in their allotted social space. The only legitimate vector of social mobility is wealth. Work, by itself, will not set you free: but work attached to bundles of cash just might. Of course, money is not the only source of freedom. The human mind, liberated from ignorance, prejudice and superstition, bestows upon its owner a very different sort of wealth. Education has the power to dissolve boundaries – which is why conservatives hate it with such passion.
Why else would National have withdrawn the funding that allowed schools and polytechnics to offer night classes? Why else would they, against the advice of their own experts, have introduced “National Standards”? Why else are they underfunding our universities and attempting to turn them into purely vocational degree factories? What else could explain their extraordinary contempt for public service broadcasting? Their enthusiasm for dumbed-down, commercially-driven programming? The free life of the mind is anathema to the National Party, and everything which contributes to that freedom must be destroyed."
Crikey!
32 comments:
It's just garbage though Robert. Trotter is an old fool that isn't that old.
The problems with National are not the way he sees it, they are far more subtle and very few of these left wing types ever really "get" what is going on.
While Trotter is on the trot the truth is disappearing over the horizon behind him.
Being "conservative" is not the problem, being an economic liberal is.
You yourself are a "conservative" on many issues Robert, it isn't and shouldn't be a dirty word.
I do agree with you Shunda about labeling and putting people into categories ...I personally find it annoying.
I am a socialist on issues of well being to humans I am environmentalist on issues which concern the environment BUT on social issues I am what some label as been conservative.
I just say I believe what I believe, and I don't like been put into any camp that people categorize you into. I follow social and environment issues as I care for my country and thus care about its future direction.
Nah, Trotters hit the button with this piece. His reasoning around the various 'cuts' National has made is the best explanation for their seemly odd behaviour. It all makes sense when you realise that arrogance and elitism rules the Tory roost. Recent revelations from within the Tory camp show clearly that this is true.
Ms Pullar, anyone?
Arrogance and elitism also rule the lefty roost, I just see that as a given in politics on both sides.
Putting that aside, I have also seen the appalling nature of some of these "programs" that are being axed.
Do we really have to have state funded stained glass courses and introductions to digital photography??
Trotter is not your guy Robert, most people think he is an idiot. I will never forget his "good corruption" piece (it's good only if you're on the left of course).
There is a longer path that few want to take, spending time entertaining the Chris Trotters of the world is only wasting valuable time.
That guy will never move mountains.
Shunda, education is not just literacy and numeracy and when you narrow what is taught you narrow potential and possibilities. National think the only worthwhile subjects are those that have a direct vocational outcome yet the likes of Bob Jones has claimed he would rather employ those with Art degrees than commerce because the former think creatively and add more to his business. Tell a budding Peter Jackson that digital photography has no value or a future Robert Oddy there is no future in stained glass art and you will deny the world things of real value.
not so bsprout, that is what you value, but who is to say its what I value.
Bob Jones made those comments after he had made his millions with the help of those commerce trained people.
Chris Trotter misses one point, National want all to stay in their place he says, yet their own leader rose from the state house life to one of monetry success.
Chris Trotter is in the same camp as Micheal Laws, blinded by his own stupidity
bsprout, your analogy is only true if it is actually true!
And the truth is this. Great art and great accomplishments come out of great effort.
Stained glass is still being made, and digital photography increasing at a rapid rate.
I am artistic and I have never been to a formal art class or program.
What the world needs is people of passion, not watered down "I fancy myself this or that" classes that breed mediocrity and superficiality.
Animal and Shunda- The best education system is one that has an inclusive and holistic approach to curriculum and it has been this approach that took NZ into our current top 5 ranking. This is despite our appalling disparity of income and the multicultural nature of our country. All countries ranked above us have less income disparities and are generally monocultural like Finland.
When the US embarked on their "No Child Left behind" scheme and Britain introduced their National Standards it narrowed their curriculum focus and their academic achievement levels stagnated and dropped. Britain is now ranked about 15th and the US is below 30 in primary education.
The end result of the teaching and learning process should be the creation of independent learners who can think critically and creatively. Narrowing the curriculum removes potential contexts that may really captivate some children.
I recently travelled on a plane next to a guy who had a degree in philosophy, he is now a highly regarded graphic designer and website designer. His degree made him into a disciplined learner and shaped his thinking to become an original designer.
My own son is an able student who did achieved excellences in Maths and Science but his passion is art. Although he is only 18 he has won numerous awards for his artwork which has included considerable monetary prizes. His Art also enabled him to win more than one scholarship and he is now studying industrial design at Victoria. If we had discouraged art as a course of study he would not have achieved the same success, earned as much money or retained his passion for learning.
This may also help explain my point of view: http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/education-at-its-best.html
"What the world needs is people of passion, not watered down "I fancy myself this or that" classes that breed mediocrity and superficiality."
I'm thinking of the person who takes a stained-glass-window making course and the benefits they might gain from such a course. Someone perhaps who wasn't able to try such a craft when they were younger, becuse no such course existed, someone who only now has time to learn glass-craft because raising a family consumed their spare time, someone who only recently discovered their abilities with colour and shape, someone who has found that such courses help them to meet interesting people and gets them out of their lonely house, someone who has out-grown the pressures they felt for most of their life to 'stick to their knitting', someone who only now discovered stained glass through watching a programme on television, someone who always yearned to work with clean colours, tried paint but found it disappointing then saw an advertisement for stained-glass classes and signed up; seems to me there are a great number of people who would find great benefit from such a course, many of whom might not have the money or the wherewithal to instigate the learning themselves (fly to Britain to see old churches, apprentice to a stained-glass-window maker, buy the book and materials etc...)
It seems to me, Animal and Shunda, that you are being selfish, ungenerous, judgemental and tight-arsed about something your fellow men and women would love to be involved in. Animal, surely you've noticed that those who are involved in the arts develop a more liberal world-view that allows them to consider a wider range of possibilities than those who have never drawn a pencil across a blank page, cut a sail from a sheet of steel, cobbled-together a moose from driftwood - the 'faecal point' on the edge of Riverton's estuary is the classic example of something conceived and condoned by people who have never fitted together coloured glass and lead to make something beautiful - oh that they had, animal. Oh that they had!
faecal point! too funny
I cant argue with either of your worldviews, Im also an artist who has won prizes and had successful exhibitions, I'm involved in education, currently on a board of trustee and have worked for two PTE's in Inv, and I'm not trained in either point, however you have totally missed the essence of the discussion - why should I pay for the person that RG is talking about who has suddenly discovered stainedglass making, to have lessons. I said in an earlier blog, my taxes are too high now, lower my taxes and let me pay my own way.
bsprout - are you suggesting that NZ should drop our mix of cultures and become one only - I cant see that working here in NZ.
And RG ' selfish, ungenerous, judgemental and tight-arsed' - calm down man!
"Calm" - I'll give you calm!!!
(Never been calmer...)
" why should I pay for the person that RG is talking about who has suddenly discovered stainedglass making, to have lessons"
Because there is great public good to be had from nightclasses. That's why.
It's an investment in the wellbeing of society. That's why.
Animal, I definitely don't support a monocultural society, however assessments tend to be monocultural and therefore harder for children who have different cultural perspectives to do well in them. Our supposed tail of under achievement largely consists of Maori or Pasifika children and there could be cultural or poverty issues behind their attainment levels.
It is interesting to note that Maori students attending full immersion kura do far better in NCEA than in "mainstream" schools.
And RG ' selfish, ungenerous, judgemental and tight-arsed' - calm down man!
Exactly animal! doesn't he get nasty when people criticise 'left wing royalty' like Chris Trotter.
My objection to these things is not based on the intent of such classes or even a disagreement of the benefit of such, but on the appalling way such things have been implemented.
I have seen the disgraceful management, waste, and downright nasty behaviour of some of these classes and community "services" that several groups offer.
Night classes aren't such a bad thing, but some of these little left wing outposts masquerading as beneficial "learning institutions" are just a blight on society. I have had one of the worst experiences in my adult life with one of these organisations, and have seen first hand the nastiness and unprofessional behaviour that is all too common.
If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right and a good number of these government funded organisations are not even close to doing anything right.
"doesn't he get nasty"
Nah, Shunda - your 'flippancy' radar's malfunctioning.
Education has the power to dissolve boundaries – which is why conservatives hate it with such passion.
If you really believe that crap Robert then I am concerned for you, I really am.
Conservatives throughout history have produced some of the best art, best music and invented the modern education system
But don't let the truth stand in the way of enjoying Trotter firing his RPG at half the country.
Tories massage society to protect their own advantage, Shunda. There's no doubt about that.
one could easily argue that the Tweenies want to manage society to protect their own advantage, esp now that they have hired worn out Laila Harre - she is about as tweenie as my gumboot (red band of course Bill ;) she is seriously into society manipualation and seriously not into things green.
And mr bsprout - maybe you need to check out Aparima Colleges recent academic results - we are mainstream and our Maori students do better than the Euros.
I stand by my argument, having the governments fund night classes is the same as having Environment Southland fund my vege garden.
And I still dont feel that I'm selfish, ungenerous, judgemental and tight-arsed in saying that. Actually I feel quite smug.....
Environment Southland fund assistance with riparian planting on farms, animal. Guess you find that annoying, private parties benefiting from public money etc. As well, we assist schools with their Enviroschools programmes, again, public money, private gain... it's irritating, eh. I suppose ES believes that investment at those points result in gains for all. A bit like Labour's night-classes improving society by engaging isolated people,creating supportive networks withing communities...why, I recall the dismay and anger that was shown by the principal of a college near you, when the night classes, some of which were held at the college, were cut. Colleges like Aparima have a community-building function outside of school hours and night classes were part of that programme.
Tories massage society to protect their own advantage, Shunda. There's no doubt about that.
No, there isn't.
There is also no doubt that people have abused valuable institutions in society and run rough shod over some once great ideals.
Trotter is nothing but a rabble rousing fool, he is a media gimmick and a cliché, if you want to be taken seriously and even 'convert' people to your side you need to drop the Trotter.
Labours experiment has failed Robert, but don't worry, you and I and anyone else can rise to the challenge and help our communities in an honest way.
Hell, we can even teach an introductory to digital photography together if you want.
sign me up
Trotter like RG and sprout seem to want total state control over what people learn, yet can't see the irony in what they are saying.
The problem we have is the current system is failing both the slow learners and the brightest. As long as you want mediocrity stick with what we currently have.
The big problem we have is hidebound educationalists who believe our one size fits all education system is the best. Well the results speak for themselves.
Sorry sprout - literacy and numeracy ARE the most important things. That is the basic we are failing our youth on. With those basics individuals can learn for themselves - is that what you are so afraid of? Loss of state control over what people can learn?
Take a closer look at yourselves before this crap slinging you and the fool Trotter seem to enjoy. Your prejudices are showing.
Paranormal
"Trotter like RG and sprout seem to want total state control over what people learn, yet can't see the irony in what they are saying."
Nonsense. I'm the last to believe all learning happens at school or that all school learning is curriculum generated.
The last.
Mr Barunda, I sense you have the foundations of a good idea, yet again.
Trotter espouses the use of force which as first principle cannot be tolerated and is incompatible with civil life.
We, as the smallest minority - the individual - can make a difference in our world - every day.
And must.
Furthermore, we ought be supportive of any move by any government which increases the freedom of the individual & protects those first principles.
Everything else is force, and as civilised human beings we cannot allow tyranny to flourish.
How will we explain that to our children?
What bunkum about education establishments roles, Robert.
Have you ever - even for a second - considered that government (of any hue) is NOT the answer?
I know you to be a nice guy.
Have you no faith in your fellow man?
If that's the case RG why are you parrotting Comrade Trotters bile?
Paranormal
"How will we explain that to our children?"
You don't employ 'force' with the management of your children, Shane?
How do you manage?
Is it a free-for-all in your household?
From Trotters' 'comments' section:
"Brendan said...
Chris
If we go back to first principals, it is parents who are primarily responsible for their children's education. This is a role that they can legitimately delegate to others in terms of its functional outworking, but not when it comes to ensuring appropriate outcomes for their child.
The problem with 'State delivered everything' is that far too many parents now believe that it is teachers who are responsible for their children's education, and all they have to do is send them off to school and all will be well.
Of course, if we outsource everything to the State, including our education, healthcare, accident insurance, unemployment insurance, and retirement planning, then there are no 'adult' decisions left for anyone to make as they are all made for us.
This is where we have arrived in New Zealand, from a nation of self reliant pioneers, to a people of perpetual adolescence, in the space of 150 years.
And you seem to want more of it?
April 13, 2012 10:53 AM
Chris Trotter said...
What an extraordinary, and dangerous, attitude to child-rearing, Brendan.
Of course parents play a crucial role in child-rearing - especially in the first few years of life. But, unless they are willing to then expose their child to the wider world in which he or she will one day have to live without the benefit of parental guidance and support, they risk stunting their child's intellectual and social development.
Most parents understand this - which is why, from the beginning of civilised living, human-beings have sent their children to schools. The more civilised the society, the more care was taken to spread the remit of education beyond the home.
It is only in rapidly regressing societies, like the United States, that parents are actively preventing their children from freely interacting with the wider world. The move to home-schooling in the US is a certain sign of its weakness - not its strength.
The USA once led the world in its support for public education, and its tragic to see that historic commitment undermined by political and religious bigotry
April 13, 2012 11:39 AM
"The USA once led the world in its support for public education, and its tragic to see that historic commitment undermined by political and religious bigotry"
And there it is, Trotter has a problem with the United States of America, not NZ.
What we are seeing here is a manifestation of irrational fear by Trotter and some of those on the left.
We are not and never have been like the USA, we are fundamentally different people.
Like we so often hear in NZ, the left are simply projecting their hatred (and misunderstanding) of the USA onto our circumstances.
This must be strongly resisted otherwise a whole new genre of bigotry will emerge from extremist rabble rousers like Chris Trotter.
Poor, Robert. Very poor, and you know it.
too right Shunda, trotter like many left ijits spend too much time fixated on the states and believing that NZ and the Nats are their lapdogs, there is one one thing I believe will fix his ramblings, time.
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