Reading The End of Education was an experience I will never forget. Neil
Postman was able to question almost every work attitude I have towards school
in a matter of 200 pages. Postman brought up what I believe is the main reason
students work hard and go to school, which is to earn a well-paying job. What
he calls the god of Economic Utility, I call my motivation. The god of Economic
Utility states, “If you will pay attention in school, and do your homework, and
score well on tests, and behave yourself, you will be rewarded with a
well-paying job when you are done,”(Postman 27), which is what I, and many
more, do. I had always believed that my hopes and dreams would come true if I
did as Postman described. However, after reading The End of Education, all of my work ethics were questioned.
Why should I be working so hard if there
is no guaranteed reward? What is the importance of all this work, if I cannot
be guaranteed the job to feed myself? Questions like these came to me
throughout the book, and although they are quite difficult to answer, I found
them to be enjoying. Neil Postman helped me realize why education is so
important, and why I need to go to school. I went to school solely because I was
motivated to go to college and after get a job that would allow me to do most
of the things I wanted. I can remember when I was in 7th grade, and
wished I had and Audi to drive when I was older. For that entire year, I went
to school and completed my homework without complaints knowing that slowly but
surely, I would be able to work my way to my goal. Now that a well-paying job
is not certain, my motivation is gone. Postman, however, was able to enlighten
me with a reason to go to school. The reason is the most important thing, not
the motivation. Whatever reason you choose, it helps keep you going and
working, even when you are not motivated. The reason helps show what kind of
person you are, and what you are going to be. From this book, I have revised my
work ethics, and changed my goals in life to better fit reality. Even though a
well-paying job is not going to be waiting at the end of the rainbow right when
I get there, Postman showed me how there will be more in the long run if I
educate myself.
Works Cited:
Postman, Neil. The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School. New York: Vintage Books, 1996. Print.
(This is Casey)
ReplyDeleteBryan, you had an amazing post. I really enjoyed reading your analysis of Postman since you really demonstrated the impact the book had on you and your own motivations. Not only is this effective in communicating the goal of The End of Education, but it also gives a unique aura to your argument that makes me want to read more. Furthermore, for readers who also connect to Postman’s work on a personal level, like me, your post resonates with their ideas and creates a perfect fusion of ideas from the new perspective in your post. Although I found Amusing Ourselves to Death much more compelling and revolutionary than The End of Education, I enjoy hearing a new perspective that makes me rethink the way I view The End of Education and its goals. Overall, you wrote a fantastic post Bryan.
Your final sentence resonated with me--about educating yourself. I will say that the skills and ideas I understand best, I taught myself, at least to some degree. And of course, by teaching these topics I learn even more!
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