Design 21: Social Design Network

It's a disgrace that the institution through which our next generation is meant to get grounding for the future and inspiration to fly is so saddled down with dust. Interesting to note that etymologically "inspiration" is about breathing in (or out). It's no wonder then that kids today are stifled in school. A formidable and worthy design challenge!

I don't know what the situation in the U.S. is - but here in Germany the government is paying for schools and still (I'm sure that's the same in the US) spending for defense and other »important« governmental issues is much higher than it is for education.

And the buildings where »school« is taking place suffer the most from this situation. However - many see the only solution in letting participate the private sector in education. But I'm afraid of this - being educated by the protagonists of economy could lead to a very single-directed education.

All the responses I've read (in addition to the seminal posting) are very impressive, and I agree wholeheartedly.

I'm also beginning to understand that the decay in education is not just a negligence issue, it's a response to communication techniques and hierarchies. Communication in general, and language, in particular, are going through a huge evolution. The effective methods and content used have changed. It isn't that the schools aren't keeping up, it's that the "users" are finding more pungent and evocative avenues to find and use the information they need.

As designers it's our responsibility to keep our ears to the ground, and decipher the vibe, clarifying the communication channels and structures for the world at large. It's reminiscent of the post WWII abstract expressionists when they deconstructed the visual world and re-built it. Their aesthetic spread throughout the communications world and re-defined it - a definition we've clung to for over 60 years.

Times have changed, and it's time again.