Marie Curie Got Her Start at a Secret University for Women

Post by tezzer » Tue, Aug 09, 2016, 11:32 PM UTC

winter_blue wrote: post #10

ben_jones wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anthropologically speaking their was a lot of free time in ancient agrarian societies. I wouldn't be surprised if their is in fact a fair chunk of time that could be diverted to education if the resources were both available and accessible. From a study of modern Asian and Pacific "free time" [1]: "People in Cambodia (note the caveat of age – the sample is of those 5 years and older) and Pakistan have the largest amo…

> their was a lot of free time in ancient agrarian societies Isn't it disappointing that with all the automation and advanced technology we have today, people on average have less free time ? I changed jobs recently, and at my new company, my team consistently works from 9 am to around 7pm. I feel pressured to stay as I don't want to be the only one walking out the door at 5:15pm (and since that'd be frowned upon). M…

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Aug 09, 2016, 11:35 PM UTC

lumberjack wrote: post #4

inputcoffee wrote: post #3

I cannot imagine doing this today, although there are still places that need a secret university. However, I wonder if we have the solution, at much less risk. I wonder if, 30 years from now when a whole new generation has grown up, we will discuss poor countries (or, say, people under the Taliban, or in North Korea) learning from the Khan Academy, Coursera and the like in the same way. "What was it like, mom?" "Well…

Unlikely. Those people don't have the luxury of time needed to put any serious efforts towards their education.

Post by Myrmornis » Tue, Aug 09, 2016, 11:39 PM UTC

benbreen wrote: post #8

lumberjack wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlikely. Those people don't have the luxury of time needed to put any serious efforts towards their education.

You'd be surprised. A good friend of mine is an Afghan who grew up sleeping on a dirt floor alongside his 5 siblings. When he was 15, his parents sent him off to their family village in order to fight the Taliban. I first met him at our PhD program orientation in the US. He speaks four languages and and is one of the most well educated people I've ever met. Granted, he's an exceptional person but by no means of a uni…

Post by hueving » Tue, Aug 09, 2016, 11:55 PM UTC

tezzer wrote: post #11

winter_blue wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> their was a lot of free time in ancient agrarian societies Isn't it disappointing that with all the automation and advanced technology we have today, people on average have less free time ? I changed jobs recently, and at my new company, my team consistently works from 9 am to around 7pm. I feel pressured to stay as I don't want to be the only one walking out the door at 5:15pm (and since that'd be frowned upon). M…

An expectation of 10 hour days? Ridiculous. You might be the only one walking out at 5:15 the first few days, but you might get followers, and improve the culture at your workplace in the process. If you're meeting your tasks and deliverables, your hours as a butt in a seat shouldn't matter. Alternatively, start working from home 2 days a week. Approach your boss with the idea you're more productive without the commu…

Post by roywiggins » Wed, Aug 10, 2016, 1:09 AM UTC

calibraxis wrote: post #6

inputcoffee wrote: post #3

I cannot imagine doing this today, although there are still places that need a secret university. However, I wonder if we have the solution, at much less risk. I wonder if, 30 years from now when a whole new generation has grown up, we will discuss poor countries (or, say, people under the Taliban, or in North Korea) learning from the Khan Academy, Coursera and the like in the same way. "What was it like, mom?" "Well…

These "clandestine courses" certainly exist in rich nations, and are secretly held during lunch and in private homes. For example, to avoid bosses knowing. Skilled human tutors, free from school/university bureaucracy, can get into your head and figure out effective ways to inspire learning. Leads to faster and surer learning, for those lucky enough to have it.