Saturday, August 17

Individuality is an "optical delusion of consciousness"

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

- Albert Einstein

Wednesday, August 14

Do increases in federal spending on student financial aid drive up college tuitions?

Some evidence the answer is yes.
In a complex system a clear answer will be elusive but there are good reasons to think more money is not the answer to all higher education schooling problems.
Some schools have interests in things other than learning, too.

Thursday, August 8

Before my teacher came to me, I did not know that I am.

From 'The World I Live In' by Hellen Keller, Page 37
Before my teacher came to me, I did not know that I am. I lived in a world that was a no-world. I cannot hope to describe adequately that unconscious, yet conscious time of nothingness. I did not know that I knew aught, or that I lived or acted or desired. I had neither will nor intellect. I was carried along to objects and acts by a certain blind natural impetus. I had a mind which caused me to feel anger, satisfaction, desire...
When I wanted anything I liked,--ice-cream, for instance, of which I was very fond,--I had a delicious taste on my tongue (which, by the way, I never have now), and in my hand I felt the turning of the freezer. I made the sign, and my mother knew I wanted ice-cream. I "thought" and desired in my fingers.