Why I Worry

Just read a fascinating article about creativity versus group norms. Apropos of Nest program struggles I have, it flat-out states that the norms of a group stifle creativity. It seems that the mere fact of being in a group changes people's responses, and of course the outcome.

I also recently read a quote from Albert Einstein to the effect that "Imagination is more important than knowledge." (BTW, he was a high-school dropout who eventually got his GED 'cause otherwise he couldn't get into the college he wanted. Learned that from a cool book, a bio of his early years, called Odd Boy Out.)

Which is why I'm so concerned that school NOT drum the creativity out of DB. Yes, I want him to have friends, get married even, and be able to function in society. I just want his unique view of the world preserved. Who knows what his 10,000 hours will lead to? (That reminds me, though, I'd better go unstick his eyeballs from the TV. Unless he's destined to be the next Aaron Spelling?! No offense to Mr S but I have higher hopes.)

One last quote I discovered via Eben Pagan's Twitter feed (which is how I found the group norms article also):

"One should respect public opinion
in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison,
but anything that goes beyond this
is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny
and is likely to interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."

-Bertrand Russell

Interestingly, Russell's childhood guardian's favorite Bible verse was: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exodus 23:2). (Source: Wikipedia)