3 Comments
Mar 29Liked by Brandon Hendrickson

They’re not exactly speeches (for Science is WEIRD classes). More like idea-generation to continue the lesson at somewhat controlled points.

Expand full comment
author

I suppose that might be a better way of putting it. I think there’s something, though, about having to hit “unmute” and being the only one to speak that’s public-speaking adjacent enough to draw the parallel, at least when taking about making compromises for shy students.

Expand full comment

This makes me wonder about exempting kids permanently from certain subjects that are essentially optional in real life. I wonder if there's an Egan answer for this. If certain kids want to avoid public speaking for all time and don't want to be taught the somewhat particular skills of public speaking as we understand it (standing in front of a group of people who are giving you their attention because of some social contract), then could they just be exempted? I guess what I'm wondering about is if there is such a thing as an elective and maybe more broadly speaking, maybe there's good to be found in not forcing a kid to learn something that they don't want to learn.

Expand full comment