Inspiring: Bunker Roy: Learning from a barefoot movement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a TED talk by Bunker Roy, focusing on his approach to education and community empowerment through the Barefoot College initiative. Participants reflect on the implications of his methods, the role of traditional education, and the cultural context of learning in rural settings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Bunker Roy's spirit and the practical education model he promotes, suggesting it could benefit students and educators worldwide.
  • Others share personal anecdotes related to community roles in traditional practices, highlighting the importance of experiential learning.
  • A few participants question the effectiveness of Roy's methods, arguing that they may glorify ignorance and overlook the value of formal education, suggesting that literacy should be prioritized.
  • There are calls for broader audiences, including political leaders, to engage with Roy's ideas to foster dialogue on education and resilience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants show a mix of appreciation for Bunker Roy's approach and skepticism regarding its implications for traditional education. There is no consensus on whether his methods are beneficial or if they undermine the importance of literacy and formal education.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express emotional responses to the video, indicating its potential impact on viewers, while others raise concerns about the assumptions underlying Roy's educational philosophy.

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Love it! When I was a kid, the men made a big deal of slaughtering the hogs, steers, etc, but the women actually coordinated the activities and timed them. Little kids got to see this first-hand. Bring in the large intestines, bring in the small intestines, bring in the blood and the scraps... you get the idea. The women coordinated the whole show. The men stayed outside and took care of the heavy stuff and perhaps nipped on bourbon a bit, while the women made sure that the family was well-provisioned. Every family had little oak casks that were charged up with salt and pork-bellies every fall. We needed that stuff to get through the winters. It's one thing to be rich enough to afford butter all winter, and another thing entirely to be able to send a kid to the cellar to spear a piece of salt-pork to cook their breakfast.
 
That was a wonderful video rhody, and a great reply turbo.
 
edward said:
That was a wonderful video rhody, and a great reply turbo.
I wish every high school and college student, teacher, and administrator in the US, and around the world for that matter could see this video, I love Bunker's dry can do spirit, his sense of humor, something this country sorely needs, IMHO.

Rhody... :biggrin:
 
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Even though I posted this over two months ago, I wish every US member of Congress and the Senate could be MADE to watch it, and after doing so, address their constituents on what it means to them.

I am sure this would make a wonderful senior project for a political science and economics major, and could act as a catalyst that may help open a dialog to address important life lessons and courage in the face of adversity.

Rhody... :-p
 
I don't get what he's trying to do... he's glorifying ignorance and illiteracy?

He says he teaches them things the village thinks is important and seems to look down on traditional style of education, but the only reason he's so enlightened is because he went through that system.

Why not teach people to read and write and maybe one day they won't have to live off animals and solar panels?
 
pergradus said:
I don't get what he's trying to do... he's glorifying ignorance and illiteracy?

He says he teaches them things the village thinks is important and seems to look down on traditional style of education, but the only reason he's so enlightened is because he went through that system.

Why not teach people to read and write and maybe one day they won't have to live off animals and solar panels?
Little steps to improve life, with your attitude I am sure you would inspire them just as he did.

Rhody...
 

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