SockiestSockPuppet

[deleted]

Can I just fangirl all over this AMA? I understand it isn't productive, but I don't really know what to say to the person who created a video game that became such a huge part of my childhood. Mad props to you, sir.

Also, China? How do you like it there?

I'm an English instructor at the college level and I absolutely love many of your responses and ideas. I am absolutely saving this AMA--thank you!

As for my question: what would you say is the best or most rewarding part of teaching in a low-income, mostly-minority community? What's the most difficult or least rewarding aspect of the job?

I think less of a focus on careers and more a focus on humanity. There is nothing wrong with preparing students for professional skills, but creativity and imagination and self-reflection are all just as important, and America's schools tend to ignore them because a) we have a belief that schools are job preparation, and b) creativity and self-reflection aren't job skills. I dispute both.

Yes x 100. I have to defend the humanities and their usefulness to society at least once a week, and I'm constantly told that, "Well, none of that matters, because most people don't need that stuff in their jobs."

...people don't need to understand history, immerse themselves in art, analyze texts, consider moral and ethical dilemmas, brainstorm solutions to various problems, write clearly, or engage in the political system for a society to improve and function well? Really?