I’m teaching a course on radical politics this semester, and today we’re going to be discussing “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific.” I am the specter haunting public education. 
I’ll update later on with how well it’s received.
Update: it went well! They were critical–they’re critical of everything, which is part of the fun of the job–but also very sympathetic to the critique. They had a lot of excellent examples of, in particular, digital technology playing out the problems in capitalism that Engels identified.
Be prepared
You will probably get at least one angry letter from a parent
I got one for teaching the kids I worked with gaga-ball
I made them all take home a permission slip and get it signed by parents last week. A couple of them had to drop, but it should shield me from at least some of the blowback.
I’m sorry but that’s so funny. Permission slips are for field trips and violent movies, not pamphlets!
It was about 1/2 actually covering my ass and 1/2 marketing. Telling them that the class was going to be so controversial that it required parent permission did wonders for sign ups.
Ahahaha you know the kids well.
Do it again, but with Washington Bullets and Jakarta Method since people actually die in it
Was definitely thinking about throwing in some of Jakarta Method.
Jakarta Method might be a little heavy in terms of the level of violence described
angry letter
Put it up on the board as an example of reaction.
It was a while back, but the basic gist of it was that I should be encouraging more friendly games (which, I did, we frequently played games that were more about cooperation than competition) and that someone could get hurt playing such a violent game
The kids wanted to play regular dodgeball and I gave them gaga-ball as a suitable replacement, I also didn’t make anyone play who didn’t want to or didn’t feel comfortable doing it
The worst that could have happened was someone tripping over the ball, which could happen in any game that’s played with a ball
best not embarassing the kid who’s parents sent the letter would suck for them
I got one for teaching the kids I worked with gaga-ball
What? The pit based dodgeball game I played at summer camp as a child?
Yep, apparently a step too far for one particular parent
Parents are far and away the worst part of teaching.
Have them read Blackshirts and Reds too
That’s the plan. Probably also “An Appeal to the Young.”
Dope
youre so fucking cool. peak cool.
If any parent complains, say you’ll only be able to discuss if they’re open to reading the source material and being quizzed on it first to ensure they actually have a legitimate complaint.
Doing a college freshman course on Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs myself, hoping to radicalize at least a few
Is this in high school?
Yeah. I teach at a university-affiliated public school for super gifted kids. It’s a pretty rad gig.
Rich kids
Some, but not overwhelmingly. It’s free to any who qualify.
Oh … yeah… can’t wait to do some reading…
Let’s fucking go!Sick.
The most radical thing we ever read in high school was Letter From Birmingham Jail.
