THE GREAT SCAM. Opinion Section by David Cerdá

Ridiculing Ignorance

License Creative Commons

David Cerdá

Due to a certain modesty that is, in itself, ignorant, secondary schools are not dedicating the necessary effort to ridicule the ignorant influencers from whom many adolescents nourish. It is an undeniable responsibility of education to show the younger generation, with dialectical criteria rather than ideological ones, what rubbish smells like.

I am unsure whether this stems from a misunderstood desire for plurality, ignorance, or the unhealthy tendency of today’s schools to want to “adapt” too well to the times. The reality is that we are not safeguarding the intellectual diet of minors. While we take books from their hands, so they don’t get overwhelmed, claiming (“they will learn to appreciate them when they are older”), a sentiment echoed by other ignorant individuals, we avoid getting into a necessary mess: critically evaluating those platforms they engage with instead of reading the good material—namely, their Instagrammers, YouTubers, and Tik-Tokers.

It is not beneficial to denigrate these new channels as a whole. Firstly, because, although they are difficult to find, there are some informative gems among them (depth is lacking because it can’t be done); secondly, because there is nothing inherently wrong with them, apart from the proportion of time they occupy; and finally, because taking a total stand against what, although it may be uncomfortable for us, is their natural medium only results in them not listening to us in reaction. However, it is indeed the obligation of educational institutions, as the supposed forge of critical thought for young people, to condemn the ignorance to which they are exposed, at least as long as there is a single teacher—of which there are several—who believes (and knows) that school is the temple of knowledge and, consequently, the scourge of ignorance.

Ignorance does not exist in the abstract: there are ignorant individuals. Some of them are star role models for our youth, who do not hear a word of our warnings simply because we have ceased to issue them. No one is alerting them to the cryptobros, the neo-misogynist pseudo-entrepreneurs who pontificate about “high-value” men and women, or the fashionists who dictate clothing trends and shape the bodies of young girls. We do not analyse with them, in any subject that touches on ethics or critical thinking (is there any left?), how this band of scoundrels is robbing them of their money and infecting their minds—not with airs of freedom, as with punk or rock, but with modes of slavery—and to what extent they are allowing themselves to be guided by those who know nothing. I would like to think that this is not because some educators are also shopping in the same rubbish dumps; whatever the case, it is our duty to teach them the way out of their Platonic cave.

Not only do we not present them with these mirrors; some even sigh for the day when charlatans step into classrooms and entertain them with tales. It is not surprising, then, that a notorious presenter of infamous tabloid television products was summoned to none other than the Congreso months ago to provide lessons on education in diversity. Why do we abandon our duty to open their eyes, leaving them at the mercy of the Llados of this world, compulsive eaters like Nikocado Avocado, or girls who barely weigh over thirty kilos, like Eugenia Cooney? And since we are discussing how to make lessons enjoyable, what could be more entertaining than dissecting, with reason and elegant irony, their clay idols, and then guiding them towards true wisdom and what is genuinely good?

Ignorance is the natural enemy of the school: let us fight this battle. We cannot realise the number of young people who reach adulthood immersed in an intellectual and emotional muddle that harms them. Part of this is due to our failure to ridicule with arguments the Pied Pipers of Hamelin who have crossed their paths, so numerous that they appear more like a large brass band. Instead of courses on entrepreneurship (let’s end that absurdity as soon as possible), they need composite images of the pyramid scheme scammers to whom they pay fees; instead of a misleading digitalisation, they need to learn that only clarity will help them build strong lives. While physical exercise is commendable, we must insist that, barring exceptional cases, it is their minds that they will rely on to thrive.

Given that education is a collective endeavour of society, there is no reason why new content creators should not be allies in the effort to lead young people towards the best. However, those who play for the team of ignorance must be confronted. This can also be appealing: it is infinitely condescending to think that young people should not be challenged in their current and tacky tastes. Once they turn the corner and reach eighteen, we say they must be treated as adults; let us contribute to their maturity by telling them that the emperors they applaud has no clothes.

Source: educational EVIDENCE

Rights: Creative Commons