If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If your fellow citizen is a moron, hold the teachers and their feckless unions responsible.
It's no secret that the teacher unions are out destroy education in this country. Mission accomplished.
I'll also thank my parents who bought me lots of books and encouraged learning outside of the classroom.
I have yet to see a "moron" who's parents were interested in learning. I've seen plenty of folks who had scholarly parents, but poor teachers who maintained a life of self-education.
I don't dispute that there's a problem with the education system, but education starts at home. Otherwise, we're wasting our time with our 3yo. Maybe we should spend our time watching American Idol instead...
Chris
Go in most people's houses. You won't find classics, or engineering texts, or art books, or literature of any sort around for the kids to discover as they start reading.
You'll find a couple issues of celebrity rags, maybe a dumbed-down "suspense thriller" or two and some atrociously written scandal/romance/angst novels.
Is it any wonder what sort of kids come out of those homes?
One of the first "grownup" books I found at about age 3 or 4 was one called "How Does It Work? : a Practical and Entertaining Guide to the Workings of Everyday Things From Air Conditioners to Zippers" ...and therein learned how the fireplace flue worked and drew, how an air conditioner worked, what a cam was, and many other things.
Even before I could understand all the words, I was fascinated by it. Then later, I found everything from Shakespeare to Larry Niven around on shelves and such, and read them all.
Makes quite a difference.