Re: [libreplanet-discuss] libreplanet-discuss Digest, Vol 67, Issue 16

[Terry]

> > It is not prescriptive, so there is no way on earth we would criticize any
> > kid for their choices.
> Then you'll make a poor teacher. It's prescriptive in a direction you don't
> like and can't articulate other than to claim it would be inconvenient to
> you. Proper teaching comes with a point of view and honest education
> acknowledges and justifies that point of view. Accepting whatever a student
> comes in with, whether their views on the subject matter, or the devices
> they use, is bad teaching. Correction, critique, and advice are all proper
> corrective measures any good teacher employs.
>
> No matter what one specifies one teaches values. So as always it remains a
> question of what values should be taught. You've made it quite clear that
> you defer to proprietors and convenience. I hope the questioner's students
> find teachers who have the necessary backbone to stand up for what's
> humane, ethical, and a practical means of addressing real-world problems
> that have been headline news for the past few years (thanks to Edward
> Snowden's brave choices!).

I believe you should explain your views on Free Software then lead by 
example. Explain that propriety solutions are about creating a one-sided 
power dynamic. I think it would be great to follow that with having them 
read The Halloween Document II Key Quotes  and ask them to guess who 
wrote that. They probably won't guess Vinod Valloppillil Program Manager 
at Microsoft. I think the last thing you should do would be any 
corrections that would push them to dig-in in opposition or discourage 
them, that abandon interest or enthusiasm. Plant the seeds and let them 
grow. Mental shifts take time.

The FSF has incredible geniuses who understand code, technologies, 
future directions and social implications. Their philosophies are 
incredible, however some lack of people skills contributes to remaining 
exclusionary through alienating many by not understanding and embracing 
people, varying intellects, marketing and rates of comprehensive shifts 
to new philosophical adoptions.

By using criticism rather than following my own advice above I have 
probably already put some on the offensive. Now I'm sure they are 
already taking an adversarial position and preparing an oppositional 
rebuttal instead of self examination to check if there is any merit to 
my remarks.

Sincerely,
Terry