Very few people stop to really think about living versus existing. Many seem content to just exist. Sadly, when one questions this sort of thing, they usually end up standing alone. Most folks won’t buck the system, and this is how governments and people in power are able to do what they do. Control the people thru fear and you can get them to go along with anything, no matter how ridiculous. The idea of spending my whole life just working a 9 to 5, day in and day out, making somebody else rich is…disheartening. But what’s the alternative? Be homeless??

Like I said, most of us will not buck the system…well, not forever anyway. :/

However, it is still up to the child to go beyond the expectations of school and get the most out of it. Just like anything else. There is a path if you can find it.

One thing I like about America is that you can follow the norms and be a machine, true. Or, you can step out of the matrix—if you try hard enough—and really climb the “social ladder” and be whatever you want. No other country has allowed this in the past (that I am aware of). Places like the Middle East would kill you before that. Same with Europe 200+ years ago. India, Africa, etc.

But yes, I really do believe regular education is part of the whole “mass production” phenomena.

Great post.
Who knows what would solve the education issue. I think most people are content with being part of the machine. I work at a huge company right now and there are guys who totally love it there. Go them!