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Weapons of Mass Instruction

A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling

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Weapons of Mass Instruction

By: John Taylor Gatto
Narrated by: Michael Puttonen
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About this listen

John Taylor Gatto's Weapons of Mass Instruction focuses on mechanisms of traditional education which cripple imagination, discourage critical thinking, and create a false view of learning as a byproduct of rote-memorization drills. Gatto's earlier book, Dumbing Us Down, introduced the now-famous expression of the title into the common vernacular. Weapons of Mass Instruction adds another chilling metaphor to the brief against conventional schooling.

Gatto demonstrates that the harm school inflicts is rational and deliberate. The real function of pedagogy, he argues, is to render the common population manageable. To that end, young people must be conditioned to rely upon experts, to remain divided from natural alliances and to accept disconnections from their own lived experiences. They must at all costs be discouraged from developing self-reliance and independence.

Escaping this trap requires a strategy Gatto calls "open source learning" which imposes no artificial divisions between learning and life. Through this alternative approach our children can avoid being indoctrinated-only then can they achieve self-knowledge, good judgment, and courage.

©2009 John Taylor Gatto (P)2012 Post Hypnotic Press Inc. Education Elections & Political Process Politics & Government Relationships Social Sciences Thought-Provoking Homeschooling Childhood Education

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Critic reviews

"John Taylor Gatto has been a hero of mine for years. He has the courage to challenge an education system that is obsolete and out of touch with reality. Years ago, he gave me the courage to speak out and write my books. I trust this book will give you the courage to speak out." (Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad)
"For over 20 years John Taylor Gatto has been working tirelessly to teach us the truth about our education system - that compulsory schooling does not work to foster a democratic way of life!" (Mary Leue, Founder of the Albany Free School)
"All of Gatto's words shine. Let's have Gatto as US Secretary of Education and then, this time, he can blow it all up!" (George Meegan, author of The Longest Walk and world record holder, longest unbroken march in human history)
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This book is something that everyone should take the time to read/listen to. Very pleased I did.

everyone should be aware of this.

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loved it... I really appreciate all the honest truths shared thank you great book 5*****

eye and mind opening

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Once you listen to this book you cannot un-know what you then know.

Completely recommend anyone with an interest in ‘schooling’, but more especially education reads this.

You cannot un-know what you then know

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This is one is the best books I've seen ever. I wish I had read it long ago. it's rebel and goes deep into the origins of Schooling. It has potential to change the society.

This is one is the best books I've seen ever.

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Alhough the narnarration isn't encapsulating it's plenty fine. Intelligent, introspective, didiscovered, and disproven through his life experience. as an award winning educator or trainer as most of them are: will you woof, or will you pursue be an auto didactic; your choice.

Telling it how it is.

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I found this book only further supported the research shared by others such as David Icke. I thought David Icke was a crazy man with crazy ideas. And then I read this book and also the work of Aldus Huxley and in the words of Steve Jobs, I can see how the events through history are connecting to bring about a world with people who are easily manipulated. I always wondered why the education system, does not teach about 'Money', it does not teach about 'Investments like a Pension' even though young people are made to remain in education until they are 18.

I was a teacher for 13 years and questioned a number of ways the system did not support the whole child's needs. Then I ask, where is the voice of the parent? - why are parents not included in the decisions about our children's futures and the amount of time they are made to stay in state education? - This book gives the reader the answers to the questions that they feel are not answered or even articulated in the education system.

I listened to the book on Audible and then also bought it because there is much in the book that calls for more opportunities to research and expand on knowledge and understanding.

Educating the future to be childish

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Another amazing insight to the continuous process of dumbing down generations of children, full of facts and backed up with numerous examples. This is a great book for any parent considering homeschool or worried about their child's performance in an ever increasingly tortuous environment in school. School doesn't have to define a child. There's so much more. School unlocks potential of a minority of children.

Essential reading for parents

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I enjoyed it greatly it brings to light the false assumption that schooling is beneficial to our impressionable young kids.

debunks the great myth of compulsory schooling

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So much information that is presented really well, clear and concise. A great read. Very thought provoking.

The hidden truths

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Really interesting, however I would have liked a better explanation of what someone who has been through school and college could do to improve themselves. Its like Gato showed you hole in your education but not the steps needed to fill it. Still it was a thought provoking listen and definitely recommend.

Insightful and thought provoking.

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