I strongly agree w/ Zvi’s post, but also think there is some good pushback in the comments so far. Particularly from Said about his experience at the same school Zvi went to. I know a few people who recently graduated from that school, and what I hear from them suggests it is better in several important ways than even the very good high school I went to.
I’m interested in a discussion about what to do. What are better designs for institutions of primary education? How do we instill an essential curiosity early on?
I think this discussion can go in two directions. The first is just an ideal model of education. Without political constraints, how do you teach someone about the world and get them to care? The second is what can be done, starting at the current system. There are so many rules and regulations in place, from state to federal level (specifically in the US). What are some possible approaches to nudge us in one of the right directions?
I think the first sentence in paragraph four should have the words “is doomed” appended to the end. I did not understand what Paul is offering his specific prize for until I read his post at https://www.lesserwrong.com/posts/SqcPWvvJJwwgZb6aH/prize-for-probable-problems.