Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Book Review: EDUCATION AGAINST EXTREMISM

'EDUCATION AGAINST EXTREMISM'  by Lynn Davies is about another solution to the question of extremism. "There are political and military solutions to extremism – sometimes more extremism, or extremism disguised as liberation", the book says, " but I want to look at educational strategies".  It begins with two questions. One, How do you prevent individuals joining extremist or violent movements? and two, How do you enable people to make challenges to extremist or violent movements or to extremist or violent governments?   The book identifies the link between religion and terrorism is a complex one, with the state sponsorship of extremism being the core issue.
The book analyzes how, education can act as an expedient. It can produce three significant effects. One, to give children a secure, but hybrid sense of identity, so that they are less likely to be drawn to membership? of single identity, single-issue, ends-justify-the-means groups;  
Two, to demonstrate and act out fair and non-violent ways of achieving justice; and 
Three to give skills in critical appraisal, critical values and critical action.
The book ends by telling us of a likely news report, which tells us why, politicians and religious leaders cannot be taken seriously.
"Math Teacher arrested at airport 
New York: a public school teacher was arrested today at JFK international airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and a calculator.  At a morning press conference, Attorney Alberto Gonazales said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-gebra movement.  He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.   "Al-gebra is a problem to us" Gonzales said. "They desire solutions by means and extremes and sometimes go off at tangents in search of absolute values.  They use secret code names like x and y and refer to themselves as unknowns, but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval, with coordinates in every country."   
When asked to comment on their arrest, President Bush said "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes."  White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent and profound statement by the President."

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A Thought

Governance by Default, till Democratically Removed