The Rhetoric of Learning Loss

Shaun makes it almost seven whole minutes without entirely dismissing the premise of the discussion. Jon forces him into another 50 minutes of conversation anyway. Jon gives an anecdote that he claims is not proof, but after delivering his anecdote, both Jon and Shaun treat the anecdote as universal truths. Shaun is suspiciously vague about whether or not he can count.

Jon points out that the reason why we don't see mental education as analogous to physical education is because mental education is the pathway to egalitarianism. This is a welcome point, one of the few. More analogies follow. Then Jon recalls the high-minded Jurassic Park for his next insight using the "Life will find a way" quote to inspire his "Learning will find a way." I guess that's an insight. Michael Crichton probably deserves a shoutout though.

Maybe the most entertaining part of the episode is when Shaun decides to use a basketball analogy without knowing the fundamentals of basketball. He seriously thinks he can make reasonable connections while knowing nothing about the sport! It's funny...and for once I am laughing with Shaun at Shaun...and it's still going on...just stop, please. The simple point is that some players have strengths different from other players. The players come together as a team. Just make the damn analogy to society you ridiculous Platonist!

Anyway, I can't listen anymore.

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / CC BY-SA