Ensuring post-apocalyptic survival at TL8?

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by riprock

I don't believe you have a realistic notion of how knowledge gets passed on and how skills get maintained.

A skill that is practiced is remembered by its practitioner;
a skill that is practiced in a small community tends to get passed on within the community.

Modern education often serves as soul-destroying busywork that obstructs skill transmission.

Do you disagree?

I disagree, and here's why. As they say,
'The one who cannot do, teaches to do; the one who cannot teach to do, teaches to teach. The one who can do, can only do.'

While it sounds harsh, it is also a very true proverb. For instance, my SO plays several musical instruments, but is incapable of teaching me, because of being unable to explain how to do it, or even explain what a note is.

Sure, bad teachers still can produce good students - but only when the student is stubborn, curious and talented, and not otherwise. The rest they will accuse of being inept, lazy or whatever, but the result will indeed be near-zero.

A student's only real requirement is willingness to learn. After that, a good teacher can always make the student into a good student. A good teacher and a talented, willing student will result in a perfect student. An unwilling-to-learn student will give bad results even with a very good teacher.