Yes western power and control seeking technocratic man rules--OK.

Lewis Mumford wrote extensively about this topic, especially in The Pentagon of Power, and Technics and Civilization. He also warned us that if the trends and tendencies that were then in motion in 1972, continued, then we would most probably destroy ourselves, or create a totalitarian state.

Of course we now live in a "culture" which combines both the nightmare scenarios described in Brave New World AND 1984.

But all of our technology, and more importantly the way in which we use it is the creation of a particular mind-set. Or rather the way in which our brain and nervous system is patterned by the "culture" in which we live.

Our dominant cultural mind-set is described in this one stark image. This image is featured in The Pentagon of Power

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~spanmod/mural/panel14.html

Plus the first part of this essay describes how the process works---only one human force is dominant on the earth

http://www.aboutadidam.org/readings/bridge_to_god/index2.html

And the emotional asana which creates this power syndrome

http://www.aboutadidam.org/readings/asana_of_science/index.html

Plus the western idea of HIS-story is very much an extension of this technological mind-set. It is in essence a self-justifying IDEOLOGY--and mostly the HIS-story of "great" European males and their conquests and victories.

As such it also follows the golden rule: namely them that has the gold get to write the HIS-story.

And of course the "official" HIS-Story tells us that Western "culture" in its current form is the most "advanced" form of culture ever seen on this planet---the "end" of HIS-story even (which may be devastatingly true)

Karl Popper wrote about this topic in his book The Poverty of Historicism

Possibly one of the least likely groups of people to teach history would be teachers. Much of what is being taught in subjects such as maths, science and English is now many hundreds of years old (eg. Archimedes’ principle was developed about 210 BC), and by now, there should have been highly innovative ways developed to teach such knowledge to new students.

Teaching should have a history of continuous improvement. But instead, there would not be any area of education that shows any signs of improvement, with most areas now in continuous decline, and some areas such as maths have now declined below critical levels.

The history lesson taught by teachers to students should be, if you want to improve, don’t do as I do.

a look at recent history should show what has made Australia such a sort after place as opposed to broken Britain. Does not take to many brains to work it out.

Runner,
I suppose you meant "sought" after place. Anyhow, the reason why Australia is now on top of the list is because those with an agenda have succeeded in Britain & now Australia is the target. Unfortunately, there aren't enough brains to work that out.

BRIAN HOLDEN the world is going to change in ways old-fashioned lefties like you cannot begin to understand.

Here is my two cents worth

(1) The introduction of the principle of covariance into physics via the special and general theories of relativity. The laws of physics must appear the same for all observers. Even when general relativity is subsumed into a more basic theory, which I think will happen, we shall continue to see the universe through the eyes of Einstein.

(2) Quantum mechanics. Our "second brain" is only made possible by quantum mechanical devices called semiconductors. Eventually quantum mechanics will lead to quantum computing which will...?? Impossible to say but it will transform the human race.

(3) The discovery that evolution occurs faster than we thought and that we humans are still evolving, still a work in progress. I don’t know of any pundits, including – in fact especially - BRIAN HOLDEN - who understand the implications of this.

(4) Widespread availability and use of contraception and the effect that is having on human evolution

(5) The resurgence of fundamentalist religions, especially Islam. The 21st Century may be the century of Islam. (And, no, I don’t think that's a good thing)

(6) The genesis of genetic engineering

(7) The genesis of nano-engineering. Both this and the previous have the ability to transform society in ways nobody CAN imagine. If you think you can, you're wrong.

(8) The development of weapons of mass destruction

(9) The development of robots, especially weaponised robots. We're only at the beginning of this revolution.

(10) The break down of the social contract in every Western country

Any of the above 10 has the potential to transform society. But they will interact in ways none of us can even begin to understand.

Someone born in 2000 could still understand something about life in 1900. I wonder whether someone "born", "manufactured", "designed', whatever in 2100 will even be able to comprehend the year 2000

vanna/HRS/Timkins et al: << by now, there should have been highly innovative ways developed to teach such knowledge to new students >>

Instead of perpetually whining about teachers, maybe you could pay attention to those who know what they're talking about. The recent post from tomw in the thread entitled "Aussie educators in demand: the best-kept secret in town" might be a good start.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=10275#168586

Why do you hate teachers so much, Timmy? Was your ex-missus one, perchance?