by Redemption
"Professor Johnson gave me momentary hope in that direction. But unfortunately in practical terms something very new is, by definition, unproven. As for doing an hour a week, the challenge in this type of learning is that a certain threshold must be crossed. A concentrated course is necessary; small steps are useless.
"Professor Hagger has been direct and I will return the favour. He has elucidated a typical defensive reaction - it's unfamiliar, it's too difficult, we would have to change (which might mean that we, the experts, were wrong) and, hey, there's personal risk in there."
~
T: Johnson:
"There it goes. He's lost it. He mentioned the word risk."
~
"As for my qualifications, they are at ordinary degree level, so they are overshadowed totally in today's august gathering. But I have a different perspective. I have been an employer of your graduates and the recipient of their shortcomings - not compared to other graduates but relative to what I know they can be.
"Since I graduated, my learned friends, and unfortunately not before my children completed university, I discovered that I like most others had much more potential than I was using and that there are ways of accessing that potential. Human abilities are not scarce, they are just under-developed. The methods are relatively simple and can easily apply to students and, dare I say, to the occupants of this room. I have actively been involved in helping people achieve more of their potential and know it is both feasible and practical. And, unlike a new mine site for Mr Buchanan, there aren't huge capital and infrastructure costs required.
"Regarding qualifications, although mine are not academically exalted, they are apposite to the task of improving graduates' ability to achieve successful careers and lives. As a taxpayer and parent I hoped that would also be one of the goals of tertiary education." As he finished his gaze was directed at Professor Scriptus.
"Yes, well education is our business and we believe we can make judgements appropriate to the best interests of our students and the community," said the President stiffly, avoiding the implied question. "Certainly we aim to continue the grand tradition of universities through the contributions our graduates can make to a civilised society. Are there any other comments?"
"And if we could please make them brief as I have important work to attend to," said Professor Hagger.
~
T: Hagger:
"I really must try to lower my golf handicap this afternoon."
~
Rick Standish commented. "I understand universities are under pressure to lift their performance at the same time as receiving reduced funding. 'Do-more-with-less' sort of thing. What we are offering gives better results with greater efficiency and lower cost. Right up your alley I would have thought."
The silent reply was scornful looks.
~
T: Standish:
"What I would like to say, but won't in the circumstances, is that if these people are the 'experts' responsible for the current state of the nation's education, the so-called forward thinkers and leaders of the free world, then God help us. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Their grandchildren certainly will be, for reasons they are incapable of seeing.
"Here they are being offered a potential lifeline that could have a major input to solving their problems, catapulting their students to better things and their organisation and society to new levels - and they are timidly, defensively shying away from what could be a tremendous opportunity. And the tragedy is not in their rejection, but in not even giving it a proper look. Just rationalising their way back into their zone of comfort and privilege."
~
"Yes," added Kent who pre-accident would have come to verbal blows with the other side of the table by now, "I know you reject current criticisms of academic performance, and that the present size and complexity of the education system hobbles change. But I have been told a quarter to a third of students entering the system do not complete it. That's a huge waste of a national asset that in future years will not be tolerated by the public, your paymasters…
"I understand you say it is because the students aren't good enough - for various reasons and in different ways. From my personal experience and with courses like this becoming available, I say that in future it will be demonstrated that the principle reason is the system is not good enough. I would hope you could see what we are offering is not a threat but an opportunity. We want to help tertiary education to help itself - and students, and employers and the nation."
~
T: Buchanan:
"Ed sure has his problems selling this. I guess you can lead academics to talk but you can't make them think (laterally). They don't seem to be aware of new realities. They're still mesmerised by an elite system from the 18th century, instead of coming to grips with a mass system and 21st century technology. A generation or two from now they'll look back at this type of conversation and say 'how timid, apathetic (and pathetic), lazy, frightened and reactionary such people were'. They're clinging to self-perpetuated myths that impede needed improvements. Education is bogged down, stultified, constipated. But with Pals like this, who needs enemas?"
~
"We really must be finishing now," said the president. "Thank you for your 'presentation'. We will review our thoughts in the light of today's discussion and let you know our decision."
"When might that be?" asked Rick.
"As soon as we can," replied the president, smiling.
~
T: Scriptus:
"These private industry people are always so pushy. Why can't they take a measured approach like we do? But I suppose, grudgingly, I have to admire them. If it could be made to work, it's certainly needed, but, alas, unlikely to happen. Certainly not with us. I wouldn't touch it with my laser pointer."
~
Returning in the car an hour later Xena asked: "Well, what do you think?"
"Another brick wall,' said Ed. "Now you know what I've been up against."
"It doesn't look promising," said Rick. "You've had an uphill battle. Important changes to big organisations - and they don't come any bigger than education - won't come from within. The energy and independence that's needed just doesn't exist, and they are frozen into immobility by the icy winds of change. They are trapped within their system - the dead hand of institutional processes and the quicksand of minutiae." Looking at Kent, "What do you suggest we do next?"
"They won't take it up," said Kent, "but I like it, it has major possibilities. In their cosseted environment they've had a superficial look at it and feel they have fulfilled their obligations by giving us a nominal hearing. In the absence of any accountability for their educational performance (especially as it won't be determined by outsiders) they'll give it a comfortable 'no' and continue in their self-absorbed reverie.
"Education is supposed to be the greatest single social influence on people in their young lives. I'm aghast at what I see in the present, and becoming excited at what I think I see for the future. I expect Pals can be adapted to other people in other situations - industry for instance. I personally want to experience more of it in due course."
Turning to Ed, "You've been told we are interested in your idea, but not why. Let me explain. I'm on a personal 'crusade' to solve some of the world's problems. Of the short list of possible ideas we are looking at yours has particular merit, despite the rubbish we've just had served up. It could be the engine room of our project.
"So I'm inviting you to my country estate in the UK as a guest for a few months. We will meet as a small group of like-minded people to work on doing something constructive for the future of the world. I understand you are currently self-employed. Would an initial up-front fee of six months at your normal earning rate plus expenses be adequate? - and when can you start?"
"Yes! That's more than adequate. For this, I can be available any time you want."
"Good. I'll look forward to learning more about Pals then."
Xena had been taki
ng a call on her mobile phone while they talked. As they got out of the car she drew Kent aside. "Luigi called from Naples. He's very worried. Almost panicking. Says we should go there immediately. You know the danger. Should we abort?"
Kent was thinking intently. "That project could be the wild card in the pack. I wouldn't like to miss out on it, but I want to visit Australia on the way as arranged. That will take another day - how would you feel about going direct from here, see if you can help him and I'll catch up with you?"
"Sure, you know me. I can take care of things as they arise. Anything to help you."
"And make you feel better," she added, without receiving a hug or any of the physical responses she would have before the accident.
~
"Well Andrew, how did it feel visiting academia again?" asks Christiana.
"Like I'd never been away. It was good to be an onlooker. Not being directly involved I could appreciate both sides. I sympathise with Ed but let's face it, he's up against reality. I agree with them; the university will not take it up. I certainly wouldn't have given it my vote. What's this about danger in Italy?"
"Wait and see," she teases, patting him on the cheek.
CHAPTER 11 Living Phil.
'WARNING! The Western world increasingly reflects the setting sun - slowly and surely sinking into its blood-red corner of the world. The question is: will it, can it, rise again?'
Between naps on his jet Kent looked at the 'Sydney' file prepared by Yvonne Ziebarth. The provocative opening words and colour photograph of Phillipa Quinn dominated the first page, under the heading 'A Personal Plan'. Sporting a broad smile, there was something arresting about her eyes. Dark and vivacious, intense, impenetrable.
He punched the video summary button to review, on screen and in his mind, the salient reasons that favoured her ideas above others. Yvonne's voice-over accompanied pictures of Phillipa talking to the camera and a skilful amalgam of images.
"Aged 29, Phillipa Quinn has already experienced the highs and lows of several lifetimes for the average person. She attended schools in England, Hong Kong and Brazil as her father's job moved between countries. She grew up in both East and West, interspersed with action visits to her uncle's cattle station in Australia's north. She revelled in Outward Bound.
"At university she majored in psychology, querying and challenging her lecturers. She served in Community Aid Abroad, exposed at first hand to suffering, deprivation and violence. She saw man's inhumanity to man, vividly. 'It shouldn't have to be this way,' she said.
"Her parents were killed in a car crash, by a drunken driver who went free because of 'smart' lawyers. Her mind in turmoil, Pip, as her many friends call her, took an extended break with her Uncle Jim and enjoyed again the vastness, the hard work and the comradeship. In the Outback she respected nature and was in awe of its extremes. Unrelenting heat and drought. Infrequent rain and incongruous flood. Moaning winds, seasonal cyclones.
"She embraced modernity in computers, mobile phone, modem, internet, geo-positioning satellites. The contrast with ancient culture of the aborigines, their customs, co-operation and living with nature, fascinated her. Around her an incisive pentagon of influence radiated its impacts: stark nature, enabling technology, aboriginal antiquity, Eastern simplicity, Western 'progress'.
"Much the product of her formative environment, she was independent and self-reliant, challenging while friendly, demanding though tolerant, practical and persistent but flexible and open to new ideas - a surprising combination to new acquaintances.
"However her over-abundant confidence led her to a life-changing experience. Riding ahead of her uncle in the intense heat, she dismounted at a lagoon to splash her head to relieve the intense heat. Nature that day had the most excruciating impact on her life in the form of a six metre crocodile charging from its hiding place beneath the water to clamp her leg in its huge jaws."
The film shows in graphic detail a slow-motion re-enactment with a huge crocodile, wild threshing water, foam, blood and a well-aimed bullet from Jim's rifle. "In those moments," recounted Pip, "it was as if my entire memory bank was uploaded past my vision to the ultimate data storage in the sky. From that day I saw life through a different prism. Everything was much clearer and uncomplicated. Inconsequential things were exposed, important issues materialised. Each hour was precious and an opportunity. 'Seize the day' took on new meaning.
"While recuperating on the station, we drove past a damaged termite mound," recounted Phillipa. "Twice my height, it was a city of hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, Jim said, and maybe fifty years old. The blind creatures were busy making repairs. 'How do they know what to do, especially when they can't see?' I asked.
"'Instinct. Nature,' he said, explaining how they constructed tunnels for access, chambers for food storage and housing the queen, and a large vaulted atrium for ventilation and temperature control. And they even orient the mound in a north-south direction to both utilise and protect from effects of the scorching sun. 'No scaffolding or special equipment or instruction,' he said. 'Low-tech materials that are durable and effective. And if those little creatures were our size, the mound would be nine kilometres high.'
"I was intrigued that such primitive creatures could reach that level of sophistication, working in harmony under harsh conditions. Something clicked inside me. No, it didn't click, it was like a rabbit trap going off. If they can do so much with so little, we humans - so advanced, capable and 'civilised' - must be able to do better than we do now. We are incapable of mastering our destiny - but why? Surely we could if we put our minds to it.
"Uncle Jim managed to survive in this hot, dry wasteland, but how? It came down to two things, both hidden below the surface. One was a personal inner strength, a reserve brought to bear when his city brothers would long ago have capitulated. It emerged when he was challenged by the unyielding elements, or worn down by a persistent drought, or devastated by a rogue bush-fire. Its fortitude helped him to cope, to persevere, to 'win' the difficult contest.
"The other hidden resource was far below the arid land surface. A vast reservoir of artesian water, available to anyone who could drill and find it. Not totally pure, but good enough for cattle to survive and the station to exist."
Yvonne: "She undertook a master's degree in philosophy, searching for meaning and answers. She found midgets where she expected giants, pretenders rather than professionals, confusion instead of certainties. Her interactions with the establishment were even stormier than previously and she was only just awarded the degree. It hadn't helped, as you can imagine, when, in retaliation against obscure lecturers, she handed out 'EO (Eschew Obfuscation) Awards'."
Pip: "Partial clarification came to me one day after a fun exercise with Greg, a medical student friend. We had drawn up an assessment of the Western world as a patient needing help."
V
D: Western Society as a patient:
Symptoms. Not functioning well. Overweight - consuming too much food and power. Heart weak - family and general social difficulties. Respiratory problems - welfare abuse, crime, wars. Bad temper, argumentative and quarrelsome. Psychological problems and emotional inadequacies - all rights and no responsibilities, jealousy, greed, materialism. Eyesight: myopic and failing - can't see what is happening to it. Mentally stressed because things won't stand still, impotence through apathy, unrealistic expectations, distorted perceptions, vandalistic tendencies. Self-damaging with tinges of suicidal behaviour. (A limited list, as we were running out of time.)
Analysis. Obviously a cot-case. Patient exists in unhealthy situation with danger to self and environment. Dysfunctional behaviour, lapsing into periods of disconnection. Bad influences (TV,etc.), agents of destruction and self-destruction too readily available. Advanced dependency prevalent.
Diagnosis. Suffering from chronic immaturity and turning into own worst enemy. A kind of involuntary slow suicide. Complains about health but feeble, if any, attempts to get well. External problems caused by
internal ills. Incipient stupidity.
Treatment. Current minimal medicine is useless, if not damaging. Prescribed by quack 'doctors' treating symptoms, no idea of disease. Need to address fundamental problems, urgently. Has to realise situation is self-inflicted and can be self-healed, but doubt if patient will be able to understand:
* the nature and cause of its problems,
* that they can be cured by modified behaviour, and
* that this would be possible with the right prescription.
Prescription. Now, there's the rub. There has to be one. But what is it? "That's your challenge," said Greg. "Prescribe the prescription!"
=
Yvonne: "She saw the dire need for a new, relevant, working 'philosophy'. One that would help people meet their basic needs and be a guide to live life in a worthwhile, rewarding and happy way. To recognise and cope with destabilising and enervating things like rapid change, instability, confusion, loss of religion as a guiding force, the takeover by TV and its vacuous values. To draw on people's inner resources, their 'artesian reserves'. To enable them to use their God-given abilities to take a step up the ladder to reach, at least in some areas, the harmony and productivity of the blind termites. (Not too much to aim for, surely.) To achieve some of the resolution and drive she had without having to go through the 'jaws of death'. To be a useful guide for a society unable to keep up - unknowing, uncaring, confused, apathetic."
"I was disappointed and aggrieved," said Pip. "Disappointed because none of the philosophies was to me a full bag in explaining the human condition, let alone helping to improve it. All were inadequate, incomplete, contradicting, wanting. Continually specialising and breaking things down until they knew everything about nothing - where I sought synthesis and holistic assessments to fill the atomistic void of analysis. None of the philosophies were consonant with the thrust of my experience or contributed to my hopes and expectations in any satisfying measure. They seemed reserved for reserved people - I wanted to reverse them to draw on people's reserves. Psychology, while it explained some things, didn't have the answers. And although my forays into personal development had started to resonate in certain areas foreign to academia, they failed to blossom.
