From: John Atkinson <johnmatkinson@y...>
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 18:30:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [OT] Colonial educational and justice systems, with rant.
> --- Brian Bilderback <bbilderback@hotmail.com> wrote: > >Roads are incredibly expensive to build and Also expense and ease of maintinence. Oh, and fuel costs. > Not to mention that not ALL the kids will need a NRE's educational opinions are colored by the fact that I'm young enough to remember high school and cynical enough to consider it 4 years of imprisionment for the crime of puberty. A more seamless and primarily computer- and datanet-driven education that cuts out the mindless makework and actually teaches something useful (the only high school course that taught anything I didn't know prior to walking in the door and that I still use on a regular basis was a typing course. That will be a mandatory part of elementary school.) It'll be neither mandatory nor expensive to take any course listed on the planetary datanets. Here's the kicker--both the parent(s) and the student have to agree on a course schedule. The "educational system" consisting of underqualified idiots feeding at the public trough[1] will be stripped down to a handful of advisors who will function more like counsellors--providing information on what is available, what is required for employment in certain fields, and making reccomendations for modification of study programs based on performance. Human tutors are available--but before you can legally charge money for educational services in the NRE, you have to actually have a degree in the subject in question (no such thing as an "Education" major trying to teach physics) _and_ have demonstrated proficiency in the field by at least 5 years employment in the private sector. The function of preventing juvenile delinquiency is assumed by the police and courts, where it belongs. The NRE doesn't have a juvenile justice system--it nails child offenders to the wall[2]. And the fact that the parents/guardians of a juvenile who commits a crime more serious than speeding are considered guilty of child neglect. But then, I'm pretty torqued at the modern American method of child raising--depend on television and movies and school teachers[1] to do everything while spending less than an hour a week (you think I'm joking, check the statistics) actually communicating with their progeny. I'm assuming that the datanet will be one of the first pieces of infrastructure put into place in a colony, just after the food distribution networks. and if we > assume/PHB our way into the setting where large Yeah, but those large farms/ranches are going to have to deal with a lot of issues not faced by modern farmers/ranchers. Genemodding crops, robot maintinence and programming, etc. Xenoagricultural Studies bachelor degrees may be required for supervisory positions, and running a farm may require a PhD. John [1]I had maybe half a dozen teachers in high school that were bright enough to hold a conversation with. The rest epitomized the adage that those who can't do, teach. [2]Figuratively. Crucifiction is not permitted under NRE law. Beheading is the preferred method of execution except for particularly heinous offenses (treason[3], espionage, being a member of Amnesty International, etc). Those we impale. [3]Defined as "Making War against the Roman People or interfering with the legitemate sucession of the Emperor of the Romans."