h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's rising 2 am here. I guess I'm still awake because of the moon... But I better at least try to get some rest. I'll be back between noon and 1 pm your time.

That would be one good thing about having a flat earth. No time zones.

Well, I should be well into the Land of Nod, by that time.
So you sleep well until then, and I will sleep well during then!

End of another shift. *quick tidy up. Posts sign*

Welcome to the Aroma Cafe.
Unfortunately the Caretakers cannot be here at the moment,
but the IIEM is on and ready for your order.
Enjoy!
~B-17,Assistant Caretaker

*Sees Babel's retreating back as he wanders in for a morning jolt of espresso*

Oh well, thank goodness for the IIEM. double espresso, please.

*Stands by the IIEM waiting for the cc((~~)), which duly arrives. Heads for a convenient table with the paper and a packet of Marlboro and settles down to watch the world go by.*

*runs back in having just listened to DNA interview on Radio Scotland*
Warning, slowdown possible due to potential influx of newbies.
Just had to log back on and tell you.
Just heard interview with DNA. He said he was on draft 37 of the screenplay for The Film, and this should be the last draft. Also heavily promoting h2g2. Pass it on.
Hey Ook, come on. Time to go.
*Ook puts scrabble board away and follows B-17 out the door*

*Looks up from paper*

What's the betting DNA's on draft 42 when they make the film .

(follows link from front page into uncharted territory)
hello, do you sell mineral water?

Morning y'all!

*Comes in carrying Mindspring in her cage and sets cage on far table*

Welcome newcomer Skel! Here's your mineral water. Are you new to h2g2 or is this just a venue you haven't tried yet?

Mornin' BluesSlider. More espresso?

*orders self an A L Special and settles down behind counter with Guardian*
*Ook shambles in from a short walk in the wood*
Hello Ook... *obtains melons and bananas from IIEM* Here's breakfast. You know the drill. *Ook carries his fruit onto the porch*

Skel, Ook is an orangutang. He busses tables and plays a mean game of scrabble.

One more thing: Do to expected heavy traffic, I have moved the conversation at my salon to http://www.h2g2.com/forumframe.cgi?forum=38024&thread=52647 ad ayone who likes to talk about art, music, current events, books or the like is welcome to join us. The studio page is http://www.h2g2.com/A304354 if you need an initial introduction.

Right then. *settles back with paper ad breakfast*

Mornin' Lil Hate to disturb your breakfast, but that offer of more espresso sounded good. The IIEM is fine, but it's nice to get that personal touch.

(sips mineral water)
hello Lil, hello BluesSlider, I'm new here but I saw that the Cafe was a popular place so I thought I'd drop by.
(pulls from pocket)
does Ook like fish?

Hi Skel I'm impressed, took me ages to find out how to do .

I have never seen Ook eat fish, but you could stick it in his ear and see what happens.

-------------> cc((`)) Another double espresso for the Slider.

So, Skel, can I ask where your handle comes from? And what part of the world is home?

*Catching the cc(('))*

Thanks, Lil

*Brews the v/_\3*

*grins* Right on schedule, BB!

Hi Lil, BS, BB, Skel.
Just a quick cappucino for me, only on for about 20 mins.
Ook, wandered off again. He always leaves with me, but seems to appear here before me. Oh well, must miss Vlad or something!

Hi folks. I was away for 2 days and just spent ... um ... well, a long time catching up on the forums. I wanted to comment on loreths problems with the current education system. I just finished reading John Holt's book: Instead of Education. He makes an awful lot of sense. He makes the point that the current education system is dysfunctional, doesn't work and can't be fixed, all for the simple reason that it is mandatory. In short, you can't coerce someone to learn. I think we have all had the experience of "learning" in school where you memorize what you think the teacher wants you to know and regurgitate it on a test, only to forget it the next day. We have also all had the experience where we want to know, say, HTML, and learn it ourselves, one way or another, and will probably remember it till we die (or don't need it anymore ). The difference is in whether we are choosing to learn something for ourself or whether we are being forced to remember what someone else thinks we should know. Learning Karate is another example. It is very strict and regimented, but it is our choice to be there. Anyway, the book is very thought-provoking. I'm just glad that we are home-schooling our daughter and letting her learn about what she is interested in herself.

BTW, Holt suggests that if you do have to go to school, that you learn to play the game. Try to figure out what the teacher likes to see and then produce that. Beyond that, spend as much time out of school as you can, learning about real life and what interests you. You can also "use" the school for your own learning purposes. Use the library to learn about what you want. Use the facilities for your own learning needs. Join the clubs that interest you. You can form an underground club with your friends to play the school learning game and collectively try to figure out what will be on tests, etc. or, if a subject does pique your interest, research it and discuss it in your club.

What is most salient about homeschooling isn't, I think, so much that the child is getting more data, but that the child is getting individual attention so that the learning experience is constantly finessing itself to suit his or her particular needs.

Mike A once complained about another student who kept acting up and talking during history class while he was trying to listen. And I thought then what a difference it would make for all kids to have the benefit of individual tuition, but for there to be seminars or something for them to learn about exchanges of views. Because one of the side-effects of education by rote memorization is an inabilty to cope with difference of opinion. I was handicapped by this background when I entered a British University; I couldn't tell the difference between a discussion and an argument.

Incidentally, I have taken to saving a copy of my post before I hit the submit button, performance is so erratic this week...

Greetings all ....

Thought I would pop in for some tea. Also, Lil if you could make up a couple of scrolls that would be great. I will be opening Courtesy's Zen Garden and Tea House sometime tonight

Already have some great Zen poetry